Jeans to a Paris start-up interview for a VP role?

[catspyjamas1]

Is wearing jeans (paired with wedges / espadrilles), nice bag and white blouse / shirt / top acceptable?

Talent person / recruiter sent me an email with this bullet point: “Our office dress code is business casual. Please wear what feels most comfortable and confident”

I’m going to Paris in person and besides the obvious nerves about interviewing for a new job in general, I’m very conscious that I’m going to be in Paris with a lot of French people (my boss, thankfully, is not French) so feeling like I need to be on-point in what I wear for the couple of hours I’m there meeting my manager, the team I’ll manage and a couple of other very senior people.

Please keep in mind (a) it’s summer, (b) it’s projected to be 24 degrees and humid and (c) start-up.

My question is focused on dark (not black / grey) JEANS to this interview, obviously jazzed up with some height (I'm 5ft 2 inches), jewellery and a nice white blouse / top.

Thank you!!

Like that idea. I have a waist coat in black? Not linen.

Sorry, you said that the waistband of the jeans would not be visible so I understood you to be saying your short would be untucked to cover it.

No, you're right. The shirt with the jeans wouldnt be. My bad.

I'm going with black trousers.

Absolutely not.

I’d suggest wide trousers, with flats, even trainers but jeans and espadrilles is a weird combo for any time let alone an interview.

Please read the thread. We've covered this thanks for PP advice - I won't be wearing jeans or espadrilles.

Personally I’d go with beautifully cut skirt (cooler in the heat) and cotton pressed shirt or top. Leather shoes not trainers but not heels either.

But you’re best placed to understand what’s appropriate in the place and context.

Thank you. All shirt / top options are cotton. I'd love to have a skirt for this. Had a very bad experience on Friday with M&S where I'd ordered two skirts specifically for todays meet with the CEO. Order didn't turn up and cue a mad rush in a nearby town's high street where I got some fabulous wide legged trousers instead.

If I get this job, I'm having a wardrobe overhaul and skirts are top of the list.

You can, carefully. Definitely not the jeans in your link. These are too casual, ordinary and non descript.
something like these:

https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/aldo-trousers/sand#size-6

or

https://aligne.co/collections/jeans/products/lainey-wide-leg-jeans-white

And a shirt from WNU

Prioritise cut, distinctive jeans, wide leg, barrel, and so on. Simple but stylish, not everyday

Best of luck. I think many people would be slightly aghast at this sartorial challenge.

Incidentally I find Next’s ( lots of brands including Reiss etc) delivery system more reliable than Marks.

However I think the key thing is to project comfort and confidence in yourself and appearance. It’s the confidence and wearing at least one item you love that makes you stylish.

Thanks for the advice! I am unlikely to do an M&S order like that again so will check out Next in future.

I saw this yesterday not in my size but it’s lovely:-

https://www.marksandspencer.com/mesh-polka-dot-midi-a-line-skirt/p/clp61235375?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Hmm yes, maybe you can take the jacket off asap if the office is hot? I think walking in looking relaxed but smart is important and air conditioning can be chilly.
You might be able to do without a jacket if the weather really is far too hot though, I agree.

Those jeans look like maternity ones

Cigarette leg black trousers, flats, unfussy top

Immediately before I posted you hadn’t said espadrilles were not an option 🤷‍♀️

and for a good few posts before that you appeared to be justifying why the jeans might be ok

Good luck OP!!!

Jeans if paired with French attitude = yes.
Jeans if paired with British attitude = non.

Et bon courage

What’s your shape? I love long bias cut satin skirts with a tucked in plain white tee and heels. I’m big of arse but slim ankles and arms.

Also as I'm not sure pp have said specifically - business casual and smart casual are two different dress codes: business casual is 'shirt and trousers without a tie/female equivalent'; smart casual is 'jeans/chinos and a shirt/polo / female equivalent'

😬oh dear, you are not getting very good advice here.
your original idea was much closer to what would be appropriate than what people are suggesting.
I would gently suggest that some PPs’ ideas of French business casual are a little outdated

If Emily in Paris is anything to go by, anything goes but it must be chic and expensive! Good luck it sounds wonderful

Wearing a skirt to an interview is too feminine in Paris, unless you happen to look very cool in a skirt, it would come across as too romantic and whimsical. I always notice in London how girly many people look for work compared to other European capitals. In Paris right now people are wearing skirts for summer evening out or at the weekend. Sometimes at the office if you’ve already got the job. But not for an interview, there is too much going on there. You want to look clean and neutral. But NOT smart for tech.

Thank you!

Good luck OP. I’d be channeling Camille Cottin in Call My Agent.