Interview outfit for first job in a creative field

[cathyandclare]

DD (21) is in her final year at uni and has got an interview to be a theatrical agent assistant/intern at a small, boutique agency so probably not very corporate.

She is classic student with absolutely nothing suitable to wear. it's v soon so no time to waste. What is appropriate? I presume a suit is OTT. She is 5ft 7, a curvy hourglass figure, 12-14, doesn't really wear trousers and winter coloration ( I think.)

I've said I'll buy an outfit that will see her through a few of these. Happy to spend £250 all in ( if she get's a job it will be worth every penny!). So dress? Dress and jacket, skirt and jacket? What shoes?

Smart casual. Tailored tousers and a smart shirt is the safest option.

Sorry, should add, she phoned for advice. I'm not doing this on my own in a controlling manner, honest guv! I'll just send her some links for options (and some cash)

She's not really comfortable in trousers, never wears them, so not sure an interview is the time to start.

Excuse random apostrophe in gets

I'm a similar shape and have worked in this sector. If she's not a fan of trousers (I'm not either) then dress and jacket, or structured cardigan/pencil skirt/jumper/smart top if dress or jacket fit is a challenge (I sometimes struggle as am short bodied and round!). Quite plain, but good quality fabric. Cut and fit important so might need to try a few. I would personally say jersey is fine, as long as it's heavy and well cut. You won't go wrong with black. And crucially, a really good statement necklace or earrings (costume jewellery is fine).

If course if this is completely against her usual style then ignore, it's more important to be comfortable!

Might be worth trying somewhere like John Lewis and a personal shopper if you can. The kinds of things I'm thinking of often look a bit crap on the hangar but amazing on.

These would all be good, if not coprporate but regardless of Corp, look at the clientele they represent and if at the slightly higher end of the market smarten up a little from the yellow skirt say to the black dress. Mid length skirt, nice short jacket, flat shoes. Successful agents often dress very smartly so asses how senior the agent is, google images of them and use that as a guide.

My sister needed an outfit for a university interview and we ended up going to LK Bennett. They were so good and said they sort outfits for first time interviews a lot. Could try there.

Thanks so much all, you really have been very helpful, thank-you so much. Have sent all the pictures and the text to DD and she's heading out to the shops to try things (including one thing spotted in LK Bennett and one in John Lewis.)

Fingers crossed!

Do you have a Cos handy? Great for smart/arty dresses.

Oliver Bonas or Cos. I've worked in production for events and in marketing agencies. No pattern - or a small pattern, dress with black opaques and flat brogues goes down well. They want someone who blends in well anywhere and she wears the clothes - they don't wear her. No distractions. A girl with VERY heavily pencilled-in eyebrows came for an interview (2 black slugs on a face type effect) and unfortunately it overshadowed her CV when she was in front of the panel, as it was so distracting. They'll also hope that she doesn't use the word 'like' 5 times in every sentence. Good luck to her!

Hah! I'll tell her that. No worries at all about the eyebrows but the overuse of like appears to be endemic in her generation ( even in her group of friends studying English at a top uni.)

You are all marvellous. DD back from shops, has heavy jersey knee length dress in black with subtle cream pattern from LK Bennett, with black tights and cool, chunky brogues and earrings to edge it up a little. She feels great in it. Already has lovely black bag and lightweight slimline burgundy coat to wear over if this grim weather continues, or a fitted burgundy suede jacket if Spring springs.

Thanks so much, Freias, Dark, Diana and Thirty you really did make all the difference. Also thanks to Dairy and Devil, Cos was closed and she struggled with trousers this time but came in under budget for this ( all items on sale) so is planning another shop soon.

Ah I love a satisfying resolution! Sounds like the perfect outfit, and an interesting industry - let us know how she gets on!

The outfit really does sound perfect. A good investment.

She has probably done this already, but she should follow the company on social media and the companies they represent/work with. She'll be more up to date on what is happening in their world. She should study their portfolio/case studies on their website and even look up their accounts on Companies House (don't tell them that though!) so that she knows who the directors are, turnover/growth. During the interview she should ask about career progression, who currently does the role, or is it newly created and think of times when she has been very 'can-do'. They're usually looking for a can-do mentality.

Thanks Diana, I have copied your post and forwarded it to her.

I was going to suggest smart dress and/or pencil skirt type outfit but see she is already sorted! I'm so glad for her and it will Defo help if she's comfortable and confident in what she's wearing! Good luck to her from me

Woohoo! Sounds perfect. Lots of luck to her, hope the interview goes really well!

DD has had interview, felt good and it seemed to go very well. Unfortunately, they need someone ASAP and she's got finals to negotiate, so they're going to keep in touch with each other and see what happens.

The outfit seemed to do the important jobs of boosting her confidence, not being a distraction and making sure that what she was saying was the key thing.