View Full Version : "smart casual"
i hate it when places are in the middle of these 2 options.
got a second interview with Apple on friday (woo go team getting a job)
first stage was a group interview, where the dress code was "Casual" i wore jeans and a fairly nice but casual shirt and trainers. the other people there were similar, t-shirts, cardigans, hoodys that sort of thing.
the nice lady has, however, described the dress code for the second interview as "smart casual, no suits are required"..... so, how far into smart does one go without looking silly? shirt shoes and trousers? or jeans shoes and a shirt? trainers and a shirt? i just don't understand.......
halp?
I'd say that jeans are a no no for smart casual. For me, smart casual is black trousers, shirt and shoes.
I'd agree. No jeans/joggers, trainers, T-shirts, hoodys etc. So, shirt, trousers (doesn't have to be black), and shoes.
Agreed.
Trousers, shirt and shoes.
Even if it said casual I wouldn't have turned up in jeans and t-shirt and trainers though (but that's just me, and besides I don't own trainers :p).
Davey_Pitch
01-09-2009, 16:26
(but that's just me, and besides I don't own trainers :p).
What do you wear to the gym then?
LeperousDust
01-09-2009, 16:34
To me smart casual could easily mean nice jeans, shoes, nice shirt tucked in with decent belt. Its casual, but.... smart? Whereas trousers and shirt and/or tie i'd say are just smart.
What do you wear to the gym then?
A smile.
Del Lardo
01-09-2009, 16:39
Shirt (open neck), suit trousers and shoes. Personally I'd throw on a suit jacket as well but that's only because I think it looks better.
What do you wear to the gym then?
Ok... :p
Apart from my basketball shoes I use to go to the gym with :p
Knipples
01-09-2009, 17:09
As the others have mentioned, I would suggest it means no tie and suit jacket.
Im dreading the day I have to pick something to wear for a job interview. :shocked:
Im dreading the day I have to pick something to wear for a job interview. :shocked:
Naked job interviews have served you well?
TinkerBell
01-09-2009, 17:24
Naked job interviews have served you well?
*chuckles*
For me smart casual is black trousers with a evening top sort of thing, not your day to day wear. Then shoes to finish :)
To me smart casual means certainly a shirt but with no tie. Then trousers/jeans and casual shoes (brown/black) not polished funeral shoes. Depends on what shirt I'm wearing for if it's trousers or jeans.
Knipples
01-09-2009, 17:29
Naked job interviews have served you well?
Well I spose it might work, ;D I havent had a job interview for over 11 years, hence my flapping about when I do have to go for one soon (hopefully)
To me smart casual would never include jeans. I don't care how nice your jeans are they aren't smart, it seems to be a relatively recent idea from the younger generation that jeans can pass for smart. Dress code for my last two employers was smart casual and jeans were not permitted. Smart casual normally means at the minimum: Shirt (not a polo shirt), trousers (the sort you would wear with a suit or slacks) and smart shoes (definitely not trainers).
EDIT: this is for men of course. Though it's fairly similar for women: blouse, suit trousers/skirt or slacks, smart shoes (flat or heels but not peep-toe).
But to me then the gap between smart casual and smart is just a tie?
You can't really count a suit jacket as smart too because that can be taken off, you don't transform from smart to smart casual if it gets warm and need to shed a layer. :p
I would say smart was the same as smart casual but + jacket and tie.
Flibster
01-09-2009, 18:45
It's a stupid phrase, it's either smart or not... It's a great oxymoron. Just like adult male or female logic
For me...
Suit without a tie and my converse all stars - probably the black pinstriped ones, but possibly the red ones.
You can tell how often I have to follow smart-casual. :D
Del Lardo
01-09-2009, 18:50
You can tell how often I have to follow smart-casual. :D
Putting clothes on to go to work is a strange experience for me :o
To me smart casual would never include jeans. I don't care how nice your jeans are they aren't smart, it seems to be a relatively recent idea from the younger generation that jeans can pass for smart. Dress code for my last two employers was smart casual and jeans were not permitted. Smart casual normally means at the minimum: Shirt (not a polo shirt), trousers (the sort you would wear with a suit or slacks) and smart shoes (definitely not trainers).
EDIT: this is for men of course. Though it's fairly similar for women: blouse, suit trousers/skirt or slacks, smart shoes (flat or heels but not peep-toe).
Agreed 100%.
I've never understood why jeans were regarded as smart or smart caj.
leowyatt
01-09-2009, 18:54
Smart causal for me would be black shoes, black trousers and a shirt. You can include a tie if you like.
Where I used to work smart-casual fridays meant no tops with logos but jeans were allowed.
Stan_Lite
01-09-2009, 19:10
Like most people so far, smart-casual to me means a shirt with no tie, dress trousers and proper shoes. Jeans do not come under the category of smart-casual.
I was told "office casual" for my interview, but I would always go in a suit. Got the job too :p
Office casual is smart shirt, trousers and shoes, without a tie or jacket. Smart casual is more casual than that, so more flexibility for the type of trousers, shirt and shoes you wear as long as it's still presentable, more like "night out" or "family dinner" style clothing than office casual is.
You can never over dress for a job interview IMO. It's easy to take off a tie and a jacket if you've over dressed.
You can never over dress for a job interview IMO. It's easy to take off a tie and a jacket if you've over dressed.
Correct, except for a few very rare circumstances, I'll always wear a full suit.
You can never over dress for a job interview IMO. It's easy to take off a tie and a jacket if you've over dressed.
I agree 100% there Will. In the job I started a few weeks back I was told it was an informal interview so turn up smart. Still turned up in a suit. The way I looked at it, if it was me head to head with some other candidate in terms of skill, experience and achievement, I at least wanted to show them that I could look the part in front of customers.
I'm not suggesting that the suit got me the job but I don't think it harmed my chances either.
If it's strictly a no go on tie and suit, I would go for trousers, Shirt & Shoes
You can never over dress for a job interview IMO.
http://www.vintagecostumers.com/formalwearmens/formalwearm07.jpg
:p
There's always one :rolleyes:
Mohinder
01-09-2009, 21:15
I've told you this over MSN - Apple DO NOT care about what you wear, at all, ever. They seriously could not give a rat's arse. If you do manage to cock up what you wear, no one will notice. Seeing as they've said smart casual I'd just go shirt trousers shoes. Don't worry about covering up tattoos, shaving, cutting your hair, having a load of crap in your ears. They're interested in you, not what you dress like :)
That said, as several of you are aware, they're all evil and you should take the opportunity to poke your interviewer in the eye, from me :D
(I jest)
For me smart casual = shoes, chinos and shirt.
edit - a bit like this dashing chap - http://www.samuel-windsor.co.uk/Admin/photos/large/BVG81-khaki-Chinos.jpg
Blackstar
02-09-2009, 00:16
Just get the job already, you are taking me out with your first pay cheque.
Just get the job already, you are taking me out with your first pay cheque.
that's the intention! i'm not applying for stuff just for a laugh :P
killerkebab
02-09-2009, 12:24
Wikipedia has the answer under smart casual:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Jacket2-1.jpg
Failing that...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Billgates.jpg
This guy seems to have done pretty well for himself.
Go like this guy and you'll have a job. Thank me later, maybe you could take me out with some of wages :p
Del Lardo
02-09-2009, 12:57
For me smart casual = shoes, chinos and shirt.
edit - a bit like this dashing chap - http://www.samuel-windsor.co.uk/Admin/photos/large/BVG81-khaki-Chinos.jpg
what I refer to as the American look
what I refer to as the American look
I still prefer it to just wearing half a suit, to me that always just looks a bit like you lost the jacket or something :p
cheers everyone!
just getting my gameface on now :P
Davey_Pitch
04-09-2009, 10:13
Good luck dude :)
Blighter
04-09-2009, 11:31
Good luck!!! :p (apple interviews are awesome btw)
Hopefully you'll be another one joining the working world *looks smug*
good luck :)
turns oot they meant "just wear whatever you want" but overdressing is hardly an issue.
not sure it went too well, but we'll wait and see.
REALLY want the job now though, as it seems teh awesumz
What does the job entail?
What does the job entail?
Doing stuff for pay?
standing about looking pretty and telling the people that come in they really really want a mac, and sometimes explaining why
Agreed 100%.
I've never understood why jeans were regarded as smart or smart caj.
Richard Bronson? ;)
It's a stupid phrase, it's either smart or not... It's a great oxymoron. Just like adult male or female logic HAHAHAHAHAH!!
You can tell how often I have to follow smart-casual. :D
Heh, come work with me some time. The recommended dress code is jeans and a T. They warn you NOT to wear anything nice.
Mind you, I'm changing tyres on the side of the motorway and doing jumpstarts wherever. I generally come home after a 16 hour day looking like I've been cleaning street drains...
My job was meant to be casual, turned up day one in a shirt and trousers and looked really out of place. Tried it again a month later (clothes shortage due to living in B&B) and had about 20 people ask me what I was interviewing for.
I'd always put on shoes/shirt/tie for interview just in case there isn't much to choose between but once you have the job just fit in. I feel out of place wearing anything *but* jeans in work.
Anyways, GL karbon! How much longer? We all got told the evening after the presentation, group chat and triple interviews...
Seems like a lot of hoops to jump through for a retail sales role!
Blighter
07-09-2009, 01:12
For work, I wear trousers that we sell (i.e. combat/cargo style) and our uniform tshirt.
For the last Sales Assistant interviews we had, I told all the candidates to wear whatever they thought was appropriate. It's a bit of a bastard for them to hear, but really easily shows up the sort of person you are looking for when they come in wearing a suit instead of tracksuit and hoody ;)
Anyways, GL karbon! How much longer? We all got told the evening after the presentation, group chat and triple interviews...
i presume i'll hear back today or tomorrow. i've had no email to say no yet :P so i'm hopeful of a nice phonecall soon
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
another one back into the big wide world of work. go team
Davey_Pitch
11-09-2009, 12:52
Well done dude :)
Blackstar
12-09-2009, 12:47
Well done Rikki, I think I need to come through and see you next weekend. I need cheered up.
vBulletin® v3.7.4, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.