Help with “business professional” dress code!!

[happytobemrsg]

I have a video interview with a law firm. I’ve been asked to dress “business professional” (though I’m convinced only my head be visible it’ll be good to understand the dress code should I be successful).

What is considered “business professional”? I’m 34 & usually dress in chunky jumpers & mom jeans 🤦🏻‍♀️

a skirt or trouser suit, maybe a dress and jacket, but definitely a jacket
jeans definitely is not it

they may ask you to stand at video interview to see if you have understood dress code, try and make sure your background loooks professional too

Skirt, smart shoes, blouse and blazer
Trousers, smart shoes, blouse and blazer
Or swap the blazer out for a smart coat (e.g. wool / smart looking trench coat).
Trousers / skirt suit.

It will be the uquivalent of a suit and tie for men.

I think for an interview you need to play it safe here and go for traditional workwear. If you get the job you can gradually get to know what's OK and what's not.

Shirt dress and jacket?

Vinted always have good quality, once worn business clothing. Jackets especially - I assume because we are asked to be smart for interview and don't wear the outfit again, especially with home working.

This is a suit or a dress and jacket, smart shoes, neat hair and subtle jewellery. A jacket is absolutely vital!

A smart blouse / shirt & trousers. I'd wear a blazer over it too for the interview. Def not jeans or a chunky jumper for this
Good luck with the interview!

I don’t like the idea of that!

I don’t have a suit. I dress smart/casual at my current job

Getting a bit worried now! Interview is Wednesday morning

once in the job you will see but no way is "professional smart" ever jeans and a jumper, you might get away without a jacket sometimes once you start but it's going to be a nice blouse or cashmere type jumper with smart tailored trousers or a skirt, or a tailored dress
can't you go to a charity shop and see if you can get a black, navy or grey or neat checked blazer/ jacket for the interview they are certainly going to see your shoulders online

OP never said that she thought jeans and a jumper was professional dress, just that it was what she usually wore.

She did sort of indicate that as interview was on video she might get away with it as only showing her head, but i said they might ask her to stand in which case it would be obvious it wasn't professional smart, I have known these being asked at video interviews to weed out those wearing joggers and pyjamas

i said they might ask her to stand in which case it would be obvious it wasn't professional smart, I have known these being asked at video interviews to weed out those wearing joggers and pyjamas

Or an interviewee might have to stand to go and fetch something, or adjust something in the room - always best to be prepared.

I'd go for wide legged trousers, a merino (thin) jumper or a shirt and a jacket. If you're not likely to wear it again, try a local charity shop for a jacket or a supermarket range like Tu at Sainsbury's.
Many law firms have relaxed their traditional corporate dress code in recent years but it's best to play safe and follow the brief as closely as possible.

I absolutely do not think jeans and a chunky jumper is appropriate, just that 99% of my wardrobe consists of those things 🤦🏻‍♀️

I do have this outfit but it’s meant to snow on Wednesday & I might freeze going to & from work. (I’m going to do the video call during my usual work lunch break). The trousers are silky & thin

Sorry I don’t know why pic was so zoomed

I don't think those trousers are business professional (although I do like them!) Nor the trainers.

Even though it’s just a video call? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I’m clutching at straws as I don’t have the money or time to go & get anything else

Apart from the black jacket, absolutely no.

Go and look at their website for inspiration. What are their staff wearing?

I don’t have the money or time to go & get anything else
Anybody you can borrow off?

Have you got any really dark jeans that would look like dark trousers on a video call?

I personally prefer a suit for this kind of thing as I know it goes together and easily looks coordinated. For a law firm I’d go for a sober colour but it doesn’t have to be manly, there are some lovely feminine cuts, especially for jackets which is the bit which will be most visible. Make sure you feel comfortable and that you look like you. Also as PPs have said, well groomed hair and smart, subtle jewellery. Good luck!

With that jacket you might get away with black or very dark blue jeans if you keep jacket closed do you have any black boots or a shirt of any colour even a shirt with a pattern like the trousers would be fine with the black jacket, or do you have a fine crew neck jumper that will go under jacket with a scarf, or wear the cardigan and make sure the scarf fills the whole of the v in your jacket

What kind of role are you interviewing for?

I’d probably dig out a dress or smart top and put the jacket over with a cool necklace, and then make sure your hair and face are well put together. It’s unlikely you’ll have to stand up and tbh, having done Zoom interviews where I’m in PJ trousers with the top half smart, I’d probably just say I had a bad ankle or something and needed to wear joggers if they asked me to stand up!

The darker and more conservative of these with 3/4 or long sleeves.

www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/dresses/fs5/black?originalPrice=15%2C420&page=2

www.marksandspencer.com/collared-midi-wrap-dress/p/clp60528072?extid=ps_ps-gpla_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_baussc&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9YugBhCZARIsAACXxeJXPz5WhE4XeLPQQp6BEla1L70MzyosQq4yudGDkRivKiboQjwM5FQaAhmhEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-round-neck-belted-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22558586#intid=plpnav_pid_pg2pip48g2r6c1www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-round-neck-belted-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22558586#intid=plpnav_pid_pg2pip48g2r6c1