No formal interview clothes- this isn’t a style question so much as what’s acceptable these days

[Holdinguphalfthesky]

Can i wear linen trousers to interview at a fairly formal workplace? My current work is casual dress code and I have a pair of black linen trousers (Daisy from Beyond Nine, sort of horseshoe shape) and a pair of tailored trousers, but those are wool so warm, given the forecast, and also won’t go with the only structured jacket I own.

i also have a dress that I use for funerals, in brown silk with a kind of ditsy flower print, but no jacket that would go with it.

I’m skint and don’t want to have to buy something if I can possibly avoid it, but do I need to contact a friend this weekend to borrow something?

This blazer is good too:-

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/coats-jackets/black-textured-jersey-blazer/p/915280501?extcam=UK_PPC_PMax_Generics_High_Challenger__Google_MT__DV_m_CID_22900722195&ppccam=PLA_NW_x_ASGID_6673233384_LOC_9045877_DM__TID_&ppcfeed=FIID__PRID_9153064&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3JchX8bp2bC5vd0urePoK9IP-KObRuTxlbRbY1AzXKE3Nj5ReO92OUaAjVLEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22910470303&gbraid=0AAAAAD2UatMDvZISthWTWfGglbbaIDXjW&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3JchX8bp2bC5vd0urePoK9IP-KObRuTxlbRbY1AzXKE3Nj5ReO92OUaAjVLEALw_wcB

Thank you. Been looking at blazers and not sure I can get anywhere other than supermarket or Matalan in time. I don’t own an iron!

It’s a school job, student-facing but not teaching. Day to day I have plenty of suitable clothes, but it’s the interview I’m struggling with.

A friend is coming over tomorrow so I’ll do a try-on of all the options with her, then will have time to pop to a shop if necessary.

I think it completely depends on the company you're interviewing with but equally you don't want to look a scruff! M &S clothes sell for £2-4 on vinted, if you have time and inclination I'd go on there and grab a pair of trousers or whatever you feel is lacking

I only have a few days unfortunately! I applied really near to the closing date, not really expecting to be shortlisted.

I just searched all the supermarket and Matalan clothes and can’t quite find anything. You can do a free M&S next day click and collect and Next are quick too.

Absolute bargain (£11!) if you can get it in time:-

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350293922.aspx?dim1=2&dim2=1&cod=SHP00210110UK&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23205497213&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3JTT3kgTelZcCckI__3PKek4pP3zMIOK8kZPDzdQJ1dDUStpx2TmhoaAnA-EALw_wcB

See how it goes with your friend. And ask any other friends who may have smart blazers they can lend you.

Unless the job is in a particularly posh school, I wouldn’t worry too much about wearing a formal jacket. It’s more important to look neat and clean.

You need an iron if you are applying for jobs.
You can use the bed as an ironing board.

I used to iron on a towel on the floor in one flat. These days I never use one, none of our clothes need ironing. And I live off grid so running things with a heating element requires a generator.

This is reassuring. Do you think my linen trousers with a nice blouse would do?

Ooh brogues trousers and grey blouse could work?

Thank you 🙏 I hope so!! If the interview were a day later I’d’ve been paid and could stretch to a cheapy jacket which I think would suggest I’d made an effort!

I think you should dress slightly smarter as it’s an interview. I recently had a job at school where I dressed for the job as interacted with children. I wore a high neck shirt (definitely nothing too tight or too low) smart cardigan and ironed straight cotton grey trousers with polished leather flat brogues. My hair was neat. Schools dress practical but personal to you. But you also need to look like you’ve made an effort for interview.

In an ideal world I would wear tailored trousers, a shirt or blouse and a jacket, and smart shoes. But my work dress codes have become ever more casual and I haven’t had an interview for several years, so I no longer have the jacket (well I have one, but it’s patterned so not terribly versatile, I wear it with jeans), the smart shoes, or the tailored trousers!

I'm confused by the fact that you say you have enough work clothes but nothing for the interview? Are you a very alternative dresser ? We're not talking about anything outlandish for an interview. What is the role?

I’m sure that would be fine as long as the trousers aren’t too creased. I don’t know much about linen. Would the creases drop out if you hang them in a steamy bathroom while you have a shower?

I’m retired now, but worked in education for many years. I hated wearing formal jackets so I didn’t own any!

I wouldn’t stress too much about a jacket. But I do think linen trousers are too casual especially if you haven’t an iron as they crease so easily. You need aim for smart casual. Surely if your work trousers are too warm a smarter pair in different fabric wouldn’t cost the earth.

In the role I could wear linen trousers, Indian block print tops, jersey dresses, flat comfortable shoes like Birkenstocks or DMs, that sort of thing- perfectly acceptable for school staff- but none of that is what I think of as ‘interview wear’ for working in a school. It’s not office wear, but for interviews in school you need to look more officey than you do when you’re in the classroom. Or at least that was true last time I worked in a school.

I interviewed for a Grammar school support staff role this time last year and wore a navy linen shirt and cropped beige trousers. The linen shirt was made of fairly thick Irish linen so it keeps it’s shape well and doesn’t sag or wrinkle up. I also had the sleeves folded up as it was a very hot day. On feet I had ballet flats (panic buy, haven’t worn them since )

The other two candidates wore a summery midi-dresses and sandals. I got the job. Don’t think it was anything to do with our clothing though.

And if ‘scruffy bariatric shoes’ were the only way forward for someone with lymphoedema (the rest of them looks smart just the limbs which stand out) who wants to work what then? Our fault our feet and lower limbs swell so the rest of body is embarrassed? Dresses down to our ankles all because of puffy swollen feet. (which no one can get on top of) whilst we get fleeced for bariatric shoes at nearer the £100 for something your granny would wear which never lasts.

The linen trousers and blouse will be fine, even teaching staff coming for interviews are not super formal in their dress anymore. The biggest thing I would suggest is know your safeguarding inside out. Also the school ethos, etc. Have a good trawl of their website and socials. Good luck!

Unless it's a top public school, you'll be fine.
I have in the past got an emergency interview suit from Tu at Sainsbury's, when I had an interview at short notice. I still have the jacket, though the trousers went to Smartworks after they no longer fitted.

(Smartworks help women who have been out of work for a long time. They also do CV help and interview coaching, as well as providing outfits. But you can't just turn up, you need to be referred from the Job Centre or similar.)

How long until the interview? There’s always Vinted. Otherwise charity shops are your best bet, there’s often a fair amount of formal wear to be found.

Go on Vinted and buy some plain black trousers / jacket. You can use them for years to come.