Help please , 21 year old daughter needs assessment day outfit

[ScandiNoir]

My DD is in last year of uni and has just got notification an assessment day for a large corporate plus an interview in March for a small company in her uni city. She is coming home in 2 weeks for long weekend and I was thinking of maxing out the credit card and ordering lots of things for her to try at home on the Friday. Thought we could then head for nearest city on the Sat if nothing suited but we would have more of an idea what would work!

Any ideas anyone? She is 5ft 7 blonde with pinkish skin tone, size 12 , and what we call swimmers shoulders! I think she would prefer a dress and not so keen on jackets but we are a bit clueless. I have worked outside in own gardening type co for 15 years so my idea of work wear wouldn't cut it [ grin] Thanks

Honestly, although she doesn't like jackets I think it might be better to have one- they are such an easy way to look smart.

I'd probably go for a black, charcoal or navy dress and jacket (matching or contrasting). If in doubt, err on the side of too smart- bear in mind that all the men will be in suits and ties and that is the level of formality she should be aiming for. Hair should be neat and groomed. Make up professional.

What's your budget? I would look at Hobbs, Lk Bennett at top end of high street. John Lewis has some nice own brand suiting but you need to make sure the fit is right. M&S is value for money at the cheaper end- also nb that you can always get things adjusted and that is a good way to get a professional finish on a cheaper outfit.

She could probably get away without a jacket if her dress is v structured eg www.johnlewis.com/winser-london-miracle-dress/black/p2989763 but see what you think.

Trouser suit could also work if she prefers that.

Simple court shoes, not too high. I would keep any accessories very simple as too much will be distracting both to her and interviewers.

I realise this all sounds really dull but it's absolutely what I would expect candidates to wear in the corporate world (the small company interview could also be a bit less formal probably- it's likely whoever is interviewing her will be more casually dressed than she is- that is how it should be). Actual workwear will be less formal (although there will still be occasions for the smart stuff) but assessment days are not the time for sartorial self-expression or informality.

Thank you for all those pointers, much appreciated. I didn't know that a trouser suit might work and had never heard of Winser London so will look at their website.
Anyone else got any links for anything suitable?

My DD is a little older and works in the city now after doing a round of applications/assessments/interviews with various big firms. She bought two very plain skater style dresses for the job round, one in navy, one in black, both from Primark. She wore them with black tights and ballet flats/boots depending on the weather and dressed them up with big necklaces. No jacket because she wouldn’t have felt comfortable.

Don’t worry about getting anything high end (unless you have the budget and want to). Recruiters are aware that students and recent grads aren’t well off. They won’t be judging the cost of the outfit, just is it smart, clean, appropriate.

I am proud to say DD was offered several jobs and is thriving in the one she picked. She still wears the skater dresses on formal days in the office. At about £12 each they were great value.

Thank you winsinbin, that's helpful. Well done to your DD!

How about asking a personal shopper for advice in somewhere like John Lewis or Debenham's?

A well fitting jacket would look really smart and could be used with a vast array of outfits - some places are very much against showing arms or shoulders, which can limit the dresses and tops she could wear. It also makes dressing for an entire week less expensive, as a ten pound dress from Primark isn't noticed if she has good shoes and a good jacket. If she has tattoos on her arms, it hides them and avoids any snobby associations being made by recruiters (as per any MN thread on tattoos).

Stay away from high heels, but a low-mid heel, comfortable and well fitting shoe won't look trashed within a couple of weeks.

As it's your credit card getting the bashing, I'd say she might as well get something she wouldn't be able to afford ordinarily!

And very, very neat hair (whatever the colour) + natural look makeup (no contouring or falsies) with neat, clean, trimmed nails/clear or pale pink varnish will make a good impression.

Good luck to her!

She'll struggle with jackets because of her shoulders. Many women do!

I'd book her an appointment with a personal shopper at John Lewis.

I echo what PP have already said. Dress conservatively, no micro mini skirts, heels not too high, not too much make up, nails not too long.

She should wear something she is comfortable in. A jacket can be taken off if it gets warm during group work or put back on if there is air con.

I don’t think you need to go high end at all.

There really is no need to go to any posh shop
Whats important is her hairs done nice shies and a jacket no trainers

Next workwear still gets me through, and I still have the black shift dress that I bought for my grad assessment centre.

Having now run many myself, most female applicants will wear a blouse & pencil skirt, or a shift dress with a blazer.

Probably less than 10% wear a full on suit, and even less wear a trouser suit.

Trouser suits are rare now, I think? Unless they are ankle grazers.

Blouse and skirt, shift and jacket.

I used to look in horror at what the ladies wear on The Apprentice in the boardroom but I've realised it's me that's old fashioned! The working world is a bit less buttoned up than it was.
Get her to look at the LinkedIn profiles if people who work there. Might be able to get it from that.
Next, M&S is fine. Treat her to Hobbs if she gets the job. Nobody expects students to wear high end.
Hair neat, no weird make up strobing.
Wishing her luck xx

I'd suggest trying to find a jacket / blazer if you can. I used to be an assessor for a big grad scheme and most women would wear either trousers / skirt and shirt with our without a jacket, or dress and jacket. A shift dress and jacket / blazer is always a favourite for me, you can get some nice coloured jackets to go over a black/ navy/ grey dress. You can get some really smart tailored dresses to which might be an option without a jacket. I'd avoid cardigans as they tend to make a smart outfit less smart in that kind of environment. If not wearing a jacket I'd also avoid ballet pumps as again I think they can have the effect of making an outfit appear more casual than enclosed shoes.

Most important thing though is that she's comfortable clean and neat so all this advice should really be taken in that context... there are no rules (unless they have stipulated there are of course!). Good luck to your dd!

Thank you to everyone who has answered. She has no tattoos and wears lovely natural makeup and hair is a blunt long bob..so all good. Looks like we should look for a shift type dress with jacket, maybe a ponte jersey or similar or a structured dress in the black/charcoal/navy colour way. Will make sure she has mid heel courts too. Will steer clear of trousers for now.
Really great to get your insights, wish us luck!

A blouse or shirt with a comfy skirt might work well, especially if you need a bigger size on top for the shoulders. Oasis does pretty good work wear, I bought my first suit for work there, as well as Next, MS.

Good luck to your daughter!

Shift dress and long duster type coat/jacket In the same (darkish) colour. Medium heels. Expensive tights! Can’t go wrong.

What does she feel most comfortable in? At that age, I hated wearing jackets so wore a flared grey skirt and black jumper with black knee high boots to mine. I've since done lots of group assessments (as an assessor) and I've never given anyone's outfit a second thought. It would be very unprofessional. That said, most people do wear suits so if she's the kind of person who would be uncomfortable if others were dressed smartly then she could probably get a jacket. I still hate wearing suits and jackets myself but I have a nice oversized blazer from Oasis that I wear over most things (from jeans to skinny trousers to dresses) if I need to look smart.

My DD is same age dress size and build and had a similar interview recently.

She wore a black shift dress with short sleeves and a matching blazer, with black opaque tights and black low heeled shoes ( she can’t even wear mid heels ).

It wasn’t expensive, just from H and M, as she won’t need to wear clothes like that in the job. Next have similar inexpensive office wear.

Simple jewellery , hair and make up, as others have said. Most girls of that age are used to wearing A LOT of make up and very short ( bum skimming ) skirts, but this doesn’t look appropriate in a professional job. It’s not the time to “ show your personality “ and “ be yourself” unless the job is in fashion , the arts etc.

There were lots of other applicants at DDs interview and all the other girls ( bar one ) were wearing similar or trousers / skiirt and blouse.

The odd one out was wearing an outfit that was more appropriate to a wedding , with very short skirt, high heels, bare legs ( yes in January ) and a lot of jewellery.

Boys were all wearing suits/ jacket and trousers expect one boy in a leather jacket and jumper.

DD originally wanted to dress much more casually but ( for once) heeded my advice and was glad she did.