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!