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!!

That’s interviewers wearing jeans though not interviewees.

Mumsnet just wants everyone in Paris to be wearing kitten heels, a polkadot skirt, and a ladylike bag.

No one has said that. In fact, the opposite.

No to jeans. I would wear some well cut light trousers with a belt and a loose shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and have well thought out jewellery. Shoes need to be smart too.

RTFT 😂🤦‍♀️

It doesn’t matter. People were saying here that no way business casual dress code in that office means jeans in general (in a startup! lol) and/or no way people in the Paris office dress so casually because “Parisians dress up”

just bunch of people who have no clue about startups or Paris

And a beret?

A lot of posters explained they did in fact have experience of both start ups and Paris.

A poster without a chip on their shoulder would have probably found that more insightful than as assumption that all “start ups” are the same. I can pretty much guarantee that the vibe at as SaaS start up is different to that of a skincare start up.

Update - I've got the job!! Have an offer chat with the talent partner tomorrow.

Now, to spend some proper time looking at a wardrobe refresh.

Thanks again to everyone who provided really good feedback and advice previously 💜

congratulations!

@catspyjamas1congrats ☺️ Sézane is very French and nice for classic pieces x

Thanks! Have just ordered a few items from them.

And Levis as apparently my non-maternity but maternity looking jeans need some updating 😁

Dd always gets Levi’s because they tailor them? I think

yesss!! Well done!

Congratulations!

Have ordered a few types so will see what works. Am taking a blazer in for alteration so might take jeans in if I need them done as well.

Yay! Well done. 👏 now you can wear that red blazer/jacket.

The red blazer definitely isn’t too much. Wear it. I used to work for a tech consultancy in Paris (the only Brit in a sea of French people) and wore an Aquascutum red blazer to work a LOT. People in Paris tend to dress with a lot of flair so whilst being conservative, the use of colour is also important. I’d probably add a small silk scarf or similar with a flash of red to pull the whole outfit together.

Parisians do absolutely notice what you wear to work and will comment on it to your face (if they approve) or behind your back (if they don’t). The men especially. My favourite comment was “Hundred, you are almost French!” 😛

Edit: sorry, just saw your update where you got the job. Bien fait! Congratulations! Sounds like a great excuse for some shoe shopping in Repetto and maybe a nice Lancel handbag if you want to conform ha ha.

Well done OP!!!

General rule is that interview dress code is up a notch from everyday office wear.

1. agree wholeheartedly that cut is important for jeans.
2. if you are gojng to wear jeans I would only contemplate it with a very crisp top half - tailoring, sleeves covered.
3. NO to espadrilles. Smart flats - so what if you are short.
4. if you decide to wear white on the top then wear something else to get there and change in a café toilet. Don't risk spilling coffee on yourself on the way there.

They both will be wearing jeans in the office

You are trying to convince yourself that you can wear jeans! Christ, no flipping way! You do know the French have Chic running in their veins?! They will look down their noses at you if you wear jeans, they are NOT business style at all.

🙄

Did you read the whole thread? 🤔

Yes? Did you pick up the point about wearing jeans. In France. To an Interview?
Thought not!