Smart Casual

kilvano · 6 May 2008 at 00:21

Im sure this has been discussed before but im looking for advise.

I moved to Vancouver with a bag full clothes for the year. I have a suit and shirt/tie and jeans and tshirts.

I have an interview tomo with a marketing/creative firm and they have a smart casual office. I could go in jeans and a nice shirt with shoes or I can go in a suit.

I know the old saying that its better to be over dressed than under but i dont think its true in this case. The interview is in a coffee shop and its a very small company. Im meeting with one of the owners.

My third option is to go buy a Blazer or Sports Jacket but the only one i like is $110 and I dont really have that kind of money...hense the job hunt. I can wear that with jeans and a shirt.

Whats everyone opinion?

CryptKeeper · 6 May 2008 at 00:23

Even if its a smart/casual company, go in a suit for the interview. The way you described it, i wouldn't wear a tie. Do not wear jeans to the interview though.

Wang · 6 May 2008 at 00:30

NEVER go to an interview in jeans. Regardless of the dress policy once employed, you should go to the interview wearing your smartest attire. Oh and if wearing a Tie (which i hope you do) dont be going for any comedy or ridiculous colour schemes. Nice solid colour is what is required.

Good Luck

Scuzi · 6 May 2008 at 00:32

The definition of smart casual is a collared polo shirt tucked into cotton/wool trousers or chinos.

You cannot go wrong if you do that.

Vonhelmet · 6 May 2008 at 00:40

Based on their dress code, and the clothes you say you have available, I say suit and no tie.

Gilly · 6 May 2008 at 00:48

vonhelmet said:
Based on their dress code, and the clothes you say you have available, I say suit and no tie.

^^

PardonTheWait · 6 May 2008 at 01:42

In this case I'd be tempted to go with jeans, nice shoes, nice shirt.

If you can pull it off and still look pretty.

Ekim · 6 May 2008 at 02:09

I work at an Advertising Agency at the moment and I went to all my interviews wearing what ever I had been wearing to work that day which was more or less always jeans, shirt and trainers. No one ever made any comments or seemed surprised that I hadn't worn a suit.

When ever I attended interviews at my old job no-one ever turned up wearing a suit - only the graduates applying for the graduate scheme.

Dj_Jestar · 6 May 2008 at 02:30

I'd still go suited and booted with tie, tbh. It's an interview after all.

Killa_ken · 6 May 2008 at 03:10

In north america smart casual = Boat shoes, khaki pants, polo shirt, brown belt.

kilvano · 6 May 2008 at 03:17

Thanks all.

My girlfriend asked round her office and they said not to wear a full suit. Suit trousers and open collar shirt. Its pretty hot here today (22 degrees C) and sunny. I havent seen many people wearing full suits about.

I bought a blazer and a nice white shirt. Im going to wear them with dark blue jeans, brown belt and brown shoes. Seems to be the norm round here.

If the interview was in his office I may have gone with the suit but not for meeting in the coffee shop. I researched the company and it seems more creative than marketing.

utajoker · 6 May 2008 at 09:05

ive always been told to go in shirt and tie no matter what job it is. first impressions matter.

Raymond Lin · 6 May 2008 at 09:08

vonhelmet said:
Based on their dress code, and the clothes you say you have available, I say suit and no tie.

Me too, play it on the side of smart than casual.

Ekim · 6 May 2008 at 12:29

utajoker said:
ive always been told to go in shirt and tie no matter what job it is. first impressions matter.

First impressions do matter and I think in some circumstances it would be the wrong first impression to give by turning up in a shirt and tie.