Comments on: ‘What should I wear to my assessment centre?’

By: Lean Bill

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 12:09:13 +0000

The world has changed. The people assessing you will probably have be born in the 80s or 90s. They won’t mind, and perhaps might even appreciate a bit of skin showing. Tattoos fine.

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By: Jj

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:39:59 +0000

In reply to The Boring Dresser.

My son got a training contract recently, went in full suit as solicitor would wear it at work. But remember they will not offer you contact based upon what you wear, but you get training contract on how you perform.
I would say formal dress is must but not too uncomfortable.
Well done and best of luck, great job to be there
Good luck

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By: The Boring Dresser

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:14:05 +0000

Assuming from the stock photo on the post and that you’ve said ‘blouse’, you’re a woman.

The best advice I received was that your outfit should be forgettable. Plain is the order of the day!

Full trouser/skirt suit and blouse, or suit jacket with matching dress (sold as a set like a trouser or skirt suit would be). Dark navy blue or very dark grey are the preferred colours, with a plain light blue or white shirt/blouse. Black is ok for a women’s suit but avoid a white shirt with a black suit or you’ll look like a waiter. If that’s out of budget then a smart dress that’s structured, knee length or slightly longer with a different colour smart blazer/suit jacket also works.

If you’re wearing a skirt or dress then add tights, black or flesh tone. Shoes should be smart, closed toe with a full back, dark coloured or flesh tone and if you do want to wear heels (definitely not essential) then keep them 3″ or under. A smart loafer, structured flats that aren’t flimsy ballet flats, smart boots under trousers or smart heels all work well. Tidy hair and plain nails, minimal jewellery and minimal makeup. Smart bag.

Have a look at the suiting from Hobbs, LK Bennett and Jigsaw for some inspo that you can then look for in more budget-friendly brands.

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By: Anonymous

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:17:21 +0000

Medium to dark navy or medium to dark charcoal. Black oxfords but as it’s 2025 most firms don’t care if they brogues, though I’d stick to oxfords.

Please FFS no loud tartan or checked suits.

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By: MC Counsel

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:10:31 +0000

I always say err on the side of caution because you will never be looked down on for wearing a suit / blouse and blazer, or something to that effect. I interview a lot of vac scheme / TC candidates and I never wear a tie or jacket (because I don’t in the office) and I can’t honestly say that I have ever cared about what a candidate wore (if someone turned up in a white blouse, black skirt and shoes with no jacket I wouldn’t think that was anything out of the ordinary) – but the vast majority are dressing pretty smartly to be honest!

Don’t wear heels if you don’t want to (nobody will care either way), and don’t worry about getting anything expensive, I had a £40 M&S suit and tie that I wore as my AC uniform back in the day!

Either way, you can make a great first impression on an interviewer with a smile and a confident hello. Good luck!

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By: Formal!

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:12:55 +0000

Agree with everyone here. Formal because:
1) it is a lot easier to do than smart casual. Black trousers, black jacket, black shoes, white shirt. Easy. Unlike smart casual where you actually need to think.
2) ok so no associate turns up in a suit every day. Neither do the trainees. But all the vac-schemer and AC candidates do and that’s because it’s a lot easier to play it safe. Everyone at the AC will be wearing formal. Do your best but no one cares if it’s not expensive!
And yeah no need to wear heels at all. What I will say as a man anecdotally I have been told to wear a tie for interviews. But again, you’ll probably get away with no tie just don’t wanna risk it

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By: Kindly Assessor

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:21:47 +0000

As an assessor, I would say a smart outfit is a must, but please make sure it is something you feel physically comfortable in – e.g. if you’re female, please don’t feel you need to wear heels if you are not going to be comfortable in them. It will be quite a long day and it’s distracting for you if your feet are aching! Likewise, please don’t worry if your suit is pretty basic and inexpensive; no-one is expecting a trainee to dress in Saville Row gear. But I think you do need a jacket rather than just a blouse/shirt.

Bear in mind that you may be in a meeting room all day with a load of other people, so you may get quite warm. If ever there was a day for the Mitchum extra strength, it’s the assessment day.

I personally think it’s helpful for your outfit to have a bit of colour/personality to help the assessors remember you, but it depends whether you feel confident doing that in a business-appropriate way. If in doubt, keep it smart and simple.

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By: helpful

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:43:10 +0000

Congratulations on securing your place at the Assessment Centre.

Definitely better to be too formal than not formal enough. Smart trousers/skirt with blazer and blouse would be great. Smart shoes (boots, ballet flats, loafers, heels if you like).

Best of luck!

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By: Anonymouse

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:52:57 +0000

Better to be formally overdressed than the latter.

Good luck in your AC!

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By: NQ

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:01:15 +0000

Personally, I think for these things, its better to err on the side of more formal – you’ll never be judged for that (whereas you *might* be (unfairly) judged for dressing too casual). For example, I’d wear black trousers, a blouse and blazer with loafers/ballet flats. You can always take your blazer off if it feels too formal. Best of luck and go smash it.

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By: Ian Rush

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:00:38 +0000

You probably weren’t born but Liverpool footballers worse a beautiful cream suit finished with a red and white striped tie in the build up to the 1996 FA Cup Final at Wembley (the original).

Probably best to avoid something like that.

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