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!!

Im French too - no jeans in the workplace. Especially in Paris! You WILL be judged by the way you dress and you come across. France is not for the faint hearted!! London is so much more relaxed…

Also jeans in hot weather are not the best..
what about that polka dot midi skirt someone else posted earlier, white a white blouse and a blazer. A black leather bag (no logo please!) to keep your things. Minimal make up (do tidy up your brows, no british “slugs”). Drink plenty of water for clear skin.

Good luck! Let us know what you wore and how it went. 🤞 On croise les doigts pour toi!

What specifically, after reading the whole thread, "won't cut it"?

I think the skirt is a little bit different, with heels or kitten heels. Polka dots are on trend. Or smart tailored trousers but not cheap, maybe Massimo Dutti.

No Ted Baker bag. Borrow a smart one or get a leather one from Zara/Mango.

Read what I said my French friend wears. I don’t necessarily copy her but for interviews I do. Navy work dress, navy blazer. Reiss black skirt suit. TM lewin shirt. If you can’t do heels then kitten heels. I’ve got Dune black almond toe suede ones. Minimal jewellery.

Absolutely not.

I see your latest posts. You need to consider the difference between London and Paris. Perhaps age comes into this as well.

Thank you for your valuable contribution.

I have decided the basics now including the bag, but thanks.

Age? I don't follow.

Don't get defensive. Yes, people are getting a bit insistent but it's a pretty universal no to jeans and a Ted Baker bag. There are people on here who know what dressing at VP level looks like. Don't be dismissive. Quiet luxury is what you should be aiming for, not branded high street.

@catspyjamas1 there's been a lot of back & forth, can you describe the outfit you've decided on?

Yeah, I work in an industry where jeans are acceptable but I still wouldn't wear them in an interview. Even less so in France where people are a little more put together in general. Good luck!

Yawn.

I have repeatedly stated I am not going to wear jeans.

I have repeatedly taken onboard feedback, adjusted what I will wear and thanked several posters for their input.

I have a lovely leather bag that just happens to be Ted Baker that I will use. I highly doubt my getting the job will come down to a bloody handbag.

No one is getting defensive. What is annoying is people not reading the full thread per usual.

Have a nice day now.

Currently down to three options, difference hinges on one of three blazer options and final shoes decision.

Basic outfit trousers (not jeans, likely black tailored or wide legged), white shirt / top, fine / minimal jewellery, black bag. Shoes will be black - TBD on smart flats or closed lowish wedge. Blazer is TBD as three colours to choose from and not yet picked up so can't judge until later / tomorrow. Hair will be down and nails clear polish (they are natural and short).

Might add a couple of photos when I have everything in (hopefully by tomorrow!)

Agree.

OP seems to be swapping out the ridiculous (espadrilles combined with jeans) for the bizarre (fat face shirt).

I work in tech (with an office in Paris); I’ve built and sold a start up; I’ve been a VP and had them report into me. Even the most casual of environments requires an effort of some sort for certain occasions and an interview is one of them.

Exactly! I’ve always invested in interview outfits. I don’t have a fortune to spend but investments are wise. My SIL (manager in arts) always said a smart bag is essential for an interview. You can get a nice leather bag for £100 or so from Zara or eg on eBay there’s nice leather ones for approx £10.

https://ebay.us/m/1nypgY

not £10 but nice

What was the CEO wearing? You can’t dress in the corporate equivalent of a minion in dungarees when you are going for VP

Black is trop anglaise
Wear some couleur

Sounds perfect. Good luck with the interview and enjoy Paris!

They look like maternity jeans

Do not wear a knee length swishy polka dot skirt and kitten heels to a job at a start up! You’ll look way over done and old. Yes look chic and make an effort, but don’t dress like you are in a completely different professional environment.

I detest kitten heels so there's zero chance that look will ever happen! 😁

RTFT

I work in a casual dress code setting and if I was interviewing somewhere with a similar dress code there is no way I would wear jeans.

Woopie doo! I too have worked in startups, including more trips to a Paris office than I can count & had French people report to me at snr director level. I must have got there based on my dress sense, natch.

The point of this thread was helpful, constructive pointers as shocker, I recognised this is an "occasion". It wasnt an invite opportunity for snark & insults. But also, this is MM so I don't know why I expected anything less.

Luckily, plenty of posters have been very helpful and I thank them again!