Do clothes an interpreter make?

For some fashion isn’t just an abstract concept, it’s the very fabric (😉) of their lives. To quote Nigel from ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ – ‘[…] What they [the fashion designers] did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it.’

Then there are people like me, who have a hate-love relationship with fashion and clothes.

I have lived on this planet for 38 years and yet the concept of what ‘smart casual’ is still eludes me.  

Choosing an outfit is an ordeal. Going out to the pub? Meltdown. Evening wedding reception? Existential crisis mode enabled

 My fella’s dry and unwavering response to the question of what I should wear (‘Clothes’) doesn’t exactly help.

At one point I worked in 10 different primary schools and by far, my favourite one to work at was the one in which a clear dress code was put in place.

When I started working full time as a public service interpreter, I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised I can just create an easy guide for myself to fit every situation.

‘Hang on a second’ – I hear you say. ‘If you don’t like clothing so much, why be so preoccupied with what you wear for work? Does it even matter?’ A good interpreter is a good interpreter, regardless of they’re wearing Gucci or George.

Should we, and if so, why, bother about what we wear when attending interpretation assignments? After all, we’re there to provide a vital service, not to be admired.

When you think about making a good impression, what comes to your mind? Do you consider facial expression, body language, demeanour? How about how the person is dressed or groomed? In a customer-facing profession such as interpreting, the way you look speaks volumes about you attitude to work, to yourself and those you support.

We play a necessary but nevertheless secondary role during an assignment. We’re meant to be a discreet, not a jarring presence. There is nothing wrong with wearing clothes that flatter your figure and speak of you as a person but they shouldn’t play the main role and neither should we. A smart and appropriate dress will make you feel confident, in control and hopefully my guide will take out the guesswork out of your daily choices.

Being savvy with how you dress starts at the planning stage and taking stock of what you already have, what you aspire to do and how can you get there.

Think about the most frequent types of jobs that you do or would like to do, considering cost at the same time. Do you do a lot of appointments with children, where you are required to sit on the carpet or be around messy play? Think durability and easy care.

Court? Easy if you’re a man – suit and a tie. If you’re a woman, there are a few option. My trusted combo is a suit dress and a jacket. I tend to go for black, gray and navy.

For women and female-presenting persons, I’d invest in a couple of smart trousers, skirts, one or two smart jackets if you don’t fancy a suit and a few smart casual blouses.

Comfort always comes before elegance. Being a PSI involves long periods of time standing, walking or even crouching and occasionally even sitting on the floor. If you walk a lot like myself, go for shoes that can be reheeled. A pair of Clarks’s might be only 20-30 pounds on Ebay, but if you’re heavy footed like me and go through a lot of them, those costs add up. A good cobbler can stretch your shoes and add life to them by reheeling them.

This is my Ultimate Guide to Professional Attire for Public Service Interpreters.

1.     If you haven’t done so already, create a cache of work clothes. It’s better to start working already prepared. You don’t have to spend a ton of cash, look in places such as supermarkets (George and TU make decent clothing) or charity shops. Keep an eye out on seasonal sales. Check out Facebook Marketplaces, and apps such as Shpock, Vinted etc. One of the things I love about England is that you can dress really well on a budget.

 2.     My work clothing is divided into 3 grades of formality:

a)     Grade 1 – Court and tribunals, prison visits (both remote and FTF). A smart dress and a smart jacket, black, smart and comfortable black shoes. Another option is tailored black trousers, black brogues, white, gray or navy shirt, a black jacket. I invested in several black suit dresses and jackets that can be worn interchangeably and always go together. Paired with a lightweight navy blue Mac and sensible shoes, I am well equipped to go from house to courtroom. It is very important to remember that often you will be required to stand for prolonged periods of time. Don’t repeat my mistake – I once worn a beautiful pair of patent Mary Janes to Leeds court and sweated in pain for 3 hours of interpreting live evidence, which was followed by an unceremonious peeling them off my tortured feet and gallivanting around Leeds training station only in tights.

 b)    Grade II – Police stations, some employment tribunals, PPI and DWP hearings. Here I’d wear a skirt or trousers with a smart casual (ugh, I know) blouse. My favourite colours are green, teal, purple and blue and I would allow a touch of colour for Grade II.

 c)     Grade III – home visits, health visitor appointments, social services’ home visits, hospitals, GP clinics, nurseries. Smart but durable black trousers – my favourite ones are ASDA couture – George’s bootcut or slim black trousers are virtually indestructible. As a former Bilingual Outreach Assistant, I can vouch for their quality after spending countless hours kneeling on the carpet. Pair them with a blouse, a cardigan and some sensible shoes and voila – you’re prepared to painlessly traverse countless hospital corridors, assist with an SEN assessment or accompany a child during messy outdoor play. It’s especially worth remembering to wear easy care clothing when working in a healthcare setting, where you might come into contact with bodily fluids and will have to wash your ensemble often.

 A bit more on colour. Colours are a lot more than just a fashion choice - they have a powerful communicative function and if you choose very bold shades or patterns for, say, a hospital appointment, it may be distracting, jarring or even distressing.

However, if you are working in a childcare or education setting, primary colours can be more appealing to a child than muted beiges and greiges.

My colleague Bibi von Krombach gave me a great tip about using scarves – you can dress up or dress down an outfit by the use of scarves, she always keeps a few in her car just in case.

I am sure that I don’t need to remind anyone that we should avoid any items of clothing that can be viewed as provocative and revealing. Deep necklines and excessively tight pieces are a no-no.

Dressing can be an act of empowerment. When you’re sharply dressed, you feel like you belong and you are more confident.

Obviously, accidents happen. I once had a seagull relieve itself on my coat while I was walking to my local Family Court. It mercifully missed my suit. It’s the little things.