You want to dazzle the interview panel with your wit, intelligence and smile, but before you get the chance to sit down, you’re already being judged on your appearance. A study from Workopolis revealed that roughly 5% of decisions are made within the first minute of the interview and nearly 30% within five minutes.
Formal suits were once the pinnacle of an interview dress code, but they are so last year! It’s no longer essential to dress outside your comfort zone to make a lasting impression. Dressing for different industries varies, which can often be confusing for many jobseekers, especially if this is your first interview in that field.
Push your panic aside, as we have formed the ultimate go-to list in getting you ready for the interview:
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5 things to consider when dressing for interview success
First things first, keep these considerations in mind:
1. Decide on the appropriate level of formality
Different industries have different dress codes, so when preparing for your job interview, it’s important to think about the type of environment that you’ll be walking into.
For example, a law firm will have a formal dress code, so you’ll need to wear something where you can fit in comfortably. Meanwhile, a fashion company will have a laxer dress code, and you’d need to cater to their style guide.
2. Consider what makes you feel confident
Feeling confident is key to interview success, and this often begins with your attire. If you feel good, you’re likely to ooze that confidence when you walk into a room.
Think about what cuts, fabrics and styles make you feel more confident, and choose something that flatters you. That said, if you’re more comfortable in casual wear, there are still ways to dress up without moving out of your comfort zone. For example, you can still wear a T-shirt with a smarter pair of trousers and some flat shoes.
3. Take inspiration from various sources
If you’re really stuck, there are many places that you can gain inspiration from. You can check social platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to find trends that suit your personal style.
Another great tip is to look at the company’s profile that you’re interviewing for, and see what their employees are wearing to get a better idea of how they dress for the job.
4. Invest in garments that make you feel powerful
It’s a good idea to have a capsule wardrobe of a handful of pieces that make you feel powerful and that you can mix and match together. If you then get called for a follow up interview, you already have an outfit ready to go.
5. Wear comfortable shoes
Comfort is key when it comes to your footwear during an interview. Make sure you wear something that is comfortable. Ladies, save the high heels for nighttime and opt for an ankle boot or loafers. Gents, wear something smarter instead of your trainers.
Formal / Business wear
You’ve finally nailed the application process and have your upcoming interview at the law firm of your dreams, but you’re unsure of how to present yourself. For industries that still require formal wear like finance, law and hospitality, you should opt for something that is subtle but professional.
For men: You’re always safe with a good suit
Here are the fundamental items a gentleman wears during a professional interview:
- Suit (no bold colors — pick something in navy or grey)
- Long-sleeved shirt (make sure it’s color-coordinated)
- Belt
- Tie
- Black or brown oxfords or brogues (wear matching socks)
- Cufflinks and watch — only
- Portfolio or briefcase (leave the backpack at home)
When in doubt, go for a tailored suit. Not the type that’s been sitting around in your wardrobe since your last family wedding. Think of this as an investment in your future.
Opt for something navy or grey — a standard black suit can come off as boring, or like you take yourself too seriously. If you don’t have many pennies in the bank, stores like H&M or Zara sell more affordable and fashionable options.
It doesn’t matter how much you’re willing to spend; the key to looking good is a tailored fit. Do the shoulders lie flat? Are your sleeve cuffs exposed a bit? Does the hem of your pants lightly graze the top of your shoe? These are rules you should follow.
When it comes to your shoes, make sure you wear polished brown or black brogues or oxfords.
For women: Your only option isn’t a pencil skirt
Here are the fundamental items a lady wears during a professional interview:
- Trouser suit (navy, black, grey or beige)
- Pencil skirt
- Culottes
- A-line knee length dress
- Coordinated blouse (beige, white or a matching color that isn’t too bright)
- Kitten heels or smart pumps (nothing too high)
- Limited jewelry
- Neat hair
- Light make-up
- Neatly manicured nails
- A professional bag that isn’t overly colorful
Gone are the days when you’re forced to squeeze into a tight pencil skirt, uncomfortable tights and ill-fitted blazers. Now you have the option to dress more in line with your personality; if you’re a person that never wears skirts or dresses, you can pick a smart trouser suit, or a pair of culottes and a plain shirt.
“Always be yourself,” says Jorden Bickham, the executive fashion editor at Vogue. “Don’t ever go out and buy some version of who you think said job wants you to be.”
If you’re comfortable with showing your legs, make sure that your skirt is not shorter than two to four fingers above your knee. You want to show your employers that you take yourself seriously — do not dress as if you’re going to a nightclub. A trendy, block dress in an A-line cut is always a safe bet; you can opt for a navy, grey, maroon or beige color.
Smart casual attire
Some companies like to test your ability to interpret fashion etiquette by setting a business casual dress code. For men and women, casual trousers and blazers can be mixed and matched; if it seems confusing, just follow these guidelines:
For men: Break down the suit
Here are the necessary items a man wears during a less professional interview:
- Chinos, dark jeans or smart trousers
- Long-sleeved shirt (make sure it’s color-coordinated)
- Blazer (if your overall look is leaning on the casual side)
- Leather belt
- Shoe boot, brogues or Chelsea boots
If you know that the company you’re applying to lean more on the casual side, then you don’t have to dig for your suit that has been sat at the back of your wardrobe for half a century.
Select one formal piece to wear with something casual, like chinos or dark jeans with a blazer and a shirt, or smart trousers with a shirt (you can even roll your sleeves up and leave your cufflinks at home).
Whatever you choose, make sure your shirt is tucked into your trousers and you’re wearing a leather belt — no sloppiness! Your footwear choice can also be more casual, opting for a shoe boot, brogues or a Chelsea boot.
For women: Mix it up with a hint of casual
Here are the necessary items a woman wears during a less professional interview:
- Jumpsuit
- Block dress
- Smart jacket
- Pencil skirt
- Coordinated blouse (beige, white or a matching color that isn’t too bright)
- Pumps or ankle boots (with a little heel)
- Limited jewelry
- Neat hair
- Light make-up
- Neatly manicured nails
- A professional bag that isn’t overly colorful
Although the dress code has casual in the title, it doesn’t mean turning up in your trainers- keeping your outfit professional is key here. “When in doubt, dress nicely,” says Tiffany Yannetta, shopping director at Racked.
What tends to work is to mix formality with a sense of creativity and personality. If you’re applying for a job in marketing or fashion, you could wear a tailored jumpsuit with pumps, or a color-block dress with a nice jacket. You could also go down the route of a business dress with ankle boots (comfortably healed, of course) or a pencil skirt with a casual blouse.
Super casual apparel
You’re interviewing at a startup where employees turn up in sweatpants and a baseball hat, and you’re uncertain of how casual you should go. The answer is: keep your sweatpants for cleaning the house, and go for something on the smarter side.
For men: Keep it simple
Here are the essential items a man wears during a casual interview:
- Khaki chinos or dark denim jeans
- Polo T-shirt
- Relaxed shirt
- Leather belt
- Boat shoes or suede bucks
- Trimmed facial hair
Maybe you’re interviewing for a startup that Jake, a 20-something, who you’ve socially stalked online and know only wears trainers and a graphic tee, has created. But a bad idea would be to waltz in wearing blue jeans and your favorite T-shirt that’s been through the washing machine one too many times.
You’re still trying to make a good impression; choose a sharp-looking polo or a more-relaxed shirt paired with dark denim or khaki trousers with boat shoes or suede bucks. No trainers, please!
For women: Don’t unleash your inner hipster
Here are the essential items a woman wears during a casual interview:
- Dark jeans
- Smart T-shirt or chemise
- Casual dress
- Ballet pumps
- Limited jewelry
- Neat hair
- Light make-up
- Neatly manicured nails
- Casual structured bag
If you’re interviewing at a company where everyone comes to work in jeans and sandals, you don’t want to turn up in a suit — it will show that you won’t fit in or don’t understand the company culture. That said, that doesn’t mean turning up in your fashion-frenzy weekend outfits, either.
Wear a nice pair of dark jeans, a simple but smart T-shirt or chemise with some ballet pumps, and a casual structured bag. You could also pick out one of your casual dresses with a pair of ankle boots or flats.
Dos and don’ts of nailing your job interview outfit
What you wear to an interview shouldn’t matter; your résumé and personality should be all that matter. However, in today’s tough employment world, “being perfectly qualified for the position you’re interviewing for isn’t always enough to land the job,” says Rosette Pambakian, VP of global communications and branding at Tinder.
By following our top tips, you will surely be on the route to nailing the look.
Do:
- Check your nails, teeth and make-up before your interview; you don’t want the embarrassing moment when your interviewer is focused on the lipstick or residue of your breakfast on your teeth instead of what you’re actually saying.
- Make sure your clothes are clean, and free of any animal hair and stains. If you do not have an iron, take a trip to the dry cleaners to get your outfit ready.
- Keep your jewelry to a minimum. Do not wear distracting pieces that will take the attention from your personality and drive it to your bling watch!
- Try on your outfit beforehand to make sure it's right. You don’t want to find yourself panicking about what to wear on the morning of the interview; you want to be focused on the job and your experience.
Don’t:
- Turn up with unkempt hair. For the ladies, keeping it down means you need to have a blow-dry or create a stylish updo that oozes elegance. For the gents, make sure you’ve had a fresh trim a few days before.
- Wear bold prints or clothing with large logos on them. Simplicity is everything.
- Wear anything uncomfortable that will make you feel self-conscious or distracted. Make sure you have worn your shoes before — the last thing you want is for you to feel nervous about the pain in your feet too.
Final thoughts
Preparing your outfit for an interview is just as important as memorizing your résumé, making sure you have smart questions to ask at the end of your interview, and rehearsing your strengths and weaknesses.
Whether you live by Vogue, or have no interest in fashion, having a killer look might not get you the job, but it will sure keep you in the running!
Have you had any interview fashion faux pas? If so, let us know in the comments section below.
This article is a partial update of an earlier version originally published in 2017.