Are jeans ever acceptable? (interview question)

Jeans? No. Brown shoes? No. Both together? Crikey!

Maybe its a new fashion craze?

I'm currently applying for jobs at ski chalets, some of which are very smart, for host/waiter/cleaner type positions. For going to interviews I don't currently posses any suits apart from black tie tuxedos or evening tails.

Would jeans (dark grey), a waistcoat (grey), overcoat and tie be suitable for an interview? It would be worn with brown leather shoes.

I've been looking for advice online and haven't found anywhere say anything beyond "never wear jeans to an interview". The fact I'll be travelling a fair distance for these interviews means I'm also worried about wearing my proper dress shoes etc as they'd just be ruined.

I could possibly include a picture if it would help.

................

Where exactly are you interviewing, which country? Conventions may be different in France/Italy etc.

In the UK jeans aren't acceptable for any interview except perhaps a casual job on a building site/warehouse/farm etc.

Brown shoes and jeans are accepted casual wear in the Cotswolds, ie the country set, with a tweed jacket and a well behaved gun dog in tow, at the weekends, or perhaps at Badders, but again, not at interview.

I don't know what sort of 'dress shoes' you are buying, but Loakes, Church's, Herring etc leather soled Oxfords or brogues etc are perfectly accommodating of a full day's wear and a schlep across London etc.

Chino's might be acceptable, but it's a risk - what are people wearing in any website photos of this role? However, you'd still have to wear proper leather shoes.

I've already had a couple of interviews (online) with them and they said the job uniform is either black trousers and black shirt, or black trousers and white polo shirt depending on time of day. The job is in France, but the people are English.

The dress shoes I currently have would not survive a day in London. They're made for dance floors and nice carpets. Hence having to potentially buy new ones if I need to look smarter, something I'm not sure I have the money for.

Then all black, chinos and a shirt with a dark jacket are probably acceptable, but you will need to invest in or borrow a pair of black shoes.

Could you not just buy a cheap suit?

Where exactly are you interviewing, which country? Conventions may be different in France/Italy etc.

In the UK jeans aren't acceptable for any interview except perhaps a casual job on a building site/warehouse/farm etc.

Brown shoes and jeans are accepted casual wear in the Cotswolds, ie the country set, with a tweed jacket and a well behaved gun dog in tow, at the weekends, or perhaps at Badders, but again, not at interview.

I don't know what sort of 'dress shoes' you are buying, but Loakes, Church's, Herring etc leather soled Oxfords or brogues etc are perfectly accommodating of a full day's wear and a schlep across London etc.

Chino's might be acceptable, but it's a risk - what are people wearing in any website photos of this role? However, you'd still have to wear proper leather shoes.

If he's already struggling on his budget, then suggesting Church's shoes at £200+ isn't going to be a runner...

Though, if you've got dancing shoes, I'd suggest you either have money, or you have parents/relatives with money, who might be pressed to invest in a pair of interview shoes for you!

So a whole new wardrobe that I can't afford then. Sounds grand =)

I didn't 'suggest' Church's shoes, I presumed someone who owns a pair of formal dancing shoes with a leather sole would be au fait with the concept of leather soled shoes as a formal standard of dress. Though, if you've got dancing shoes, I'd suggest you either have money, or you have parents/relatives with money, who might be pressed to invest in a pair of interview shoes for you!