Finding the appropriate clothes to wear to an interview may be as stressful as the interview itself. We\u2019ve all heard that initial impressions are often lasting. Wearing clothes that flatter your figure and complement the style of the interviewing firm can make or break your chances of landing \u201cthat\u201d job. This comprehensive guide to what to wear to a job interview for men and women provides guidelines to ensure you look your best, feel comfortable, and present as the ideal fit for the hiring organization.<\/p>\n
According to statistics, the way you dress and walk through the door at a job interview determines 55% of initial impressions, and 65% of hiring managers feel clothes might be the determining factor between two similar prospects.<\/p>\n
Follow these methods to choose your interview clothes while conserving mental resources for the remainder of your interview preparation.<\/p>\n
Dress one level above what people in the office wear. For example, if a company\u2019s management and employees normally wear jeans and T-shirts, your one step up may be non-denim slacks and a tucked-in shirt.<\/p>\n
Make it a priority to feel at ease and confident. Even if you\u2019re going to wear a tie and a button-down shirt, make sure your clothes don\u2019t restrict your movement or irritate your skin so you can concentrate on the talk with a possible employer. You may even opt to wear what you already know is comfortable rather than purchasing a new set of clothes.<\/p>\n
Check that every item in your ensemble is clean, wrinkle-free, and fits perfectly. These things alone can elevate your appearance.<\/p>\n
In addition to dressing a level higher, you\u2019ll want to understand the company\u2019s environment, culture, dress code, or workplace attire standards. You can find out by doing the following:<\/p>\n
Calling or emailing your interview contact to inquire about the company\u2019s dress code. Here are some such questions: \u201cHow do individuals who work here normally dress?\u201d \u201d or \u201cWhat would you wear to an interview with this company?\u201d \u201d<\/p>\n
Investigating the company\u2019s website and social media profiles for photographs that provide hints about usual clothing<\/p>\n
Visiting the company\u2019s headquarters (if possible) and observing how staff dress<\/p>\n
Consider the examples in these four business attire categories once you\u2019ve learned the company\u2019s dress code:<\/p>\n
The clothes you wear may be determined by an interview on Zoom or at a company\u2019s headquarters. Choose colors that contrast with your background to make you stand out when interviewing on Zoom, but don\u2019t clash too much. Keep your physical comfort in mind when interviewing on-site. For example, air-conditioned office areas can feel cold after a short amount of time, but workout centers can feel warm. A sturdy pair of shoes or weather-resistant clothing may be required for an outside setting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have anything to wear.\u201d<\/p>\n
How many times have we all uttered it, particularly before a major occasion such as an interview? I\u2019m sure it\u2019s far too many times for most of us to count.<\/p>\n
My goal is to make things easier for you. Interviews are already stressful. We shouldn\u2019t be stressing over our attire while also trying to figure out how to write a charming and intelligent response to \u201cso, tell me about yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
My interview outfit philosophy is based on two fundamental principles:<\/p>\n
1. Comfort. <\/strong><\/p>\n You must be comfortable regardless of whether the dress code is professional or casual. When you\u2019re happy with how you appear and feel, you exude confidence and can concentrate on what\u2019s important that day. So let\u2019s avoid anything too hot, too tight (breathing is crucial), itching, and so on.<\/p>\n 2. Nobody should notice your attire<\/strong><\/p>\n Your interviewer will be distracted if your clothes and accessories are too loud (even if they are cute). You will draw unfavorable attention to yourself if your outfit does not fit properly or appears sloppy. Keep the spotlight on you and all the excellent characteristics you bring to the table by wearing neutral, well-fitting clothing. For interviews, channel your inner Meghan Markle and save your Lady Gaga-inspired attire for the weekends.<\/p>\n Smart Casual is a rather ambiguous style, making it difficult to know where to draw the line between too casual and too formal. I liked this comment from Trend Spotter that distinguishes between Smart Casual and Business Casual:<\/p>\n \u201cSmart casual attire is frequently confused with business casual dress code due to its sophisticated yet relaxed look.\u201d While many ensembles can fit into both categories, there are certain distinctions between them. For example, business casual attire is more conventional, but smart casual attire is more fashion-forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Overall, Smart Casual is advantageous since it allows you to demonstrate some of your individuality throughout the interview. Just remember to err on the side of caution. If you\u2019re unsure whether something is too casual, it usually is. Let\u2019s go over some wardrobe ideas to help you look both smart and casual:<\/p>\n How simple was that? I\u2019m sure you could put something like this together without purchasing anything new. Let\u2019s try a somewhat different take on Smart Casual.<\/p>\n With Smart Casual, you should try to express yourself while wearing simple and modest clothing. You should appear easygoing but polished. You know you hit the jackpot if you can wear this outfit to work in the morning, the interview in the afternoon, and then supper with your parents.<\/p>\n A popular interview style is a business casual. It\u2019s also usually a safe bet. This outfit strikes an appropriate balance between casual and corporate, allowing you to enter into most offices and feel at ease.<\/p>\n Your Business Casual attire should be more formal than your Smart Casual outfits. You may definitely display your personality here, but there are some rules you should follow to ensure you nail this dress code.<\/p>\n A fitted blazer is the simplest way to dress up this appearance. It doesn\u2019t have to be a formal suit blazer; there are plenty of alternative options that are more trendy. Another Business Casual recommendation is to avoid denim altogether (clearly, no blue jeans, but no black either).<\/p>\n If your blazer is black or blue, go with a soft-patterned blouse. And if you must purchase that blazer, there are a plethora of fairly priced, incredibly cute options available. I bought one from H&M for an interview a few months ago and now I wear it with my weekend outfits all the time!<\/p>\n The basic purpose of Business Casual should be to maintain things professional yet relaxed. And don\u2019t be afraid to express yourself! Just make sure to balance any patterns or colors with neutrals.<\/p>\n This is, without a doubt, my least favorite category. To be honest, it takes a lot more work and isn\u2019t as simple to follow my comfort rule in formal dress. But it\u2019s not impossible. I guarantee it!<\/p>\n Women now have more Business Formal alternatives than ever before thanks to changing fashion trends. Today\u2019s suits appear feminine and, dare I say, trendy. Okay, stylish may be a stretch, but at least you can wear a suit without being engulfed with shoulder pads and unnecessary fabric.<\/p>\n For those who do not wear pants, Business Formal can also include pencil skirts or dresses with a blazer. Rent the Runway is an excellent choice if you don\u2019t want to buy these formal (and sometimes expensive) dress pieces. Instead of buying expensive clothes that will most likely sit in the back of your wardrobe for eternity after your two-hour interview, you may rent a Business Formal outfit.<\/p>\n This is a fairly typical formal interview suit. You can never go wrong with black and white. Additionally, don\u2019t be afraid to wear flats! Especially if heels make your feet hurt. There are many flats that appear decent enough to wear with a Business Formal outfit.<\/p>\n I understand that most of us would not put on a suit if we didn\u2019t have to, but it doesn\u2019t mean you should disregard the comfort guideline. You can appear formal while remaining relaxed. Make sure your dress pants fit you nicely (length, waist, etc.), and pick a feminine suit if you normally wear feminine clothing. They are present!<\/p>\n Now it\u2019s our turn, boys!<\/p>\n My goal is to make this as easy and straightforward as possible. The good thing is that our options are rather straightforward. We can start with a few quick fixes and a solid foundation, and then you can improvise and style right away.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll begin with the most versatile and easygoing look in our arsenal:<\/p>\n Smart Casual is defined as \u201cneat, traditional, yet reasonably informal in style\u201d by the Oxford Dictionary.<\/p>\n According to the fashion website Mr. Porter, it is \u201cpretty much anything smarter than a tracksuit but less formal than a suit.\u201d<\/p>\n I imagine it as something you\u2019d wear on a first date with someone a little out of your league. You want to look crisp, but you also don\u2019t want to appear overly effortful.<\/p>\n A neutral button shirt, chinos, and shoes that are finer than sneakers are your best chance. While jeans are common in non-interview Smart Casual attire, I would not advocate wearing them to your interview. Better to be safe than sorry. Consider the following examples:<\/p>\n White shirt, khakis, and leather shoes. That is a true classic. Let\u2019s take another look:<\/p>\n When it comes to smart casual, the greatest credo is \u201cwhen in doubt, toss it out,\u201d which means to be conservative and safe. If you\u2019re unsure whether or not you should wear something, don\u2019t.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll be fine if you dress like the gorgeous man in the picture above (feel free to swap out the shirt and pants for other neutral color combinations).<\/p>\n For us, Business Casual has a little more structure. The rules are more defined and simple to follow \u2013 we\u2019re dressing up the same ideas from our Smart Casual style.<\/p>\n For example, instead of a free-form button-down, opt for a shirt with more structure. Instead of damaged chinos, consider wearing clean, fitted chinos or slacks.<\/p>\n While you don\u2019t need to break out the suit jacket just yet, Business Casual usually requires some form of sport coat or blazer (but no tie). Consider the following examples:<\/p>\n See what I mean? It\u2019s really simple. Don\u2019t be afraid to experiment with elements such as the \u201cjacket\u201d and shirt style. You want to appear professional, but you can also show some personality:<\/p>\n Business casual is a simple look to pull off. You\u2019ll be all set if you just think about upgrading your smart casual appearance with a jacket \u2014 or you can just match our guy in the photo above to make things extra simple!<\/p>\n Our most formal option, as well as the simplest to prepare for. You\u2019re wearing a complete suit and tie for this one!<\/p>\n The most important consideration here is matching the suit and shoes. The outfit will already match, but you don\u2019t want to mar the look with a mismatched pair of shoes. They don\u2019t work with the clothing just because they\u2019re fancy. Business Insider has a fantastic guide on matching suits and shoes.<\/p>\n When it comes to suiting up, the finest way to express yourself is through your tie. But be careful, it\u2019s easy to get carried away. You should still keep things professional\/conservative, but don\u2019t be afraid to branch out beyond basic black or blue if you feel prompted.<\/p>\n Black and blue suits are a very frequent and traditional combination. They look fantastic and are unquestionably a safe bet. If you want to liven things up, you can change the suit color to something less typical, such as charcoal or gray.<\/p>\n Just don\u2019t go all Miami Vice on us in white, khaki, or seersucker. You could think I\u2019m dumbing it down too much \u2013 I wish I wasn\u2019t, because I\u2019ve seen it.<\/p>\n Business Formal is the most secure option. If you go with this, you\u2019ll never be underdressed, and it\u2019s a wonderful choice if you\u2019re not sure what to anticipate. I\u2019ve never heard of somebody getting turned down for a job because they were overdressed, but I\u2019ve heard plenty of stories about the opposite. In addition, everyone looks great in a full suit and tie!<\/p>\n While you have some freedom in selecting your interview clothes, there are a few things to avoid:<\/p>\n For law firm interviews, dress conservatively. Wear a suit and slacks or a skirt. Dark and neutral colors, such as gray, navy, or black, are frequently preferred.<\/p>\n In general, you should avoid wearing anything that detracts from your credentials. Avoid wearing all-black outfits, neon hues, or busy patterns to job interviews.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve made it! Hopefully, you now feel a little more confident about what to wear to an interview.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick rundown of the main things we discussed:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re still unsure about what to wear to an interview or have particular questions regarding your circumstance, leave a comment below!<\/p>\n Wearing all black to the interview may be perceived as too serious. If you must wear black, place another color close to your face to lessen the effect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n The answer isn\u2019t always clear, but jeans are never proper interview clothes, regardless of whether you\u2019re a student, seeking a part-time or hourly-rate job, or interviewing with a tech business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n When it comes to jewelry, men should only wear a watch and a wedding band to a job interview. Women should only wear stud earrings and one or two other items of plain jewelry. When it comes to necklaces, avoid layering. Wear a single simple, classic necklace, such as pearls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n#1. Examples of What Women Can Wear To a Smart Casual Interview<\/h3>\n
What Women Should Wear To an Interview Example #1<\/h4>\n
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What Women Should Wear To an Interview Example #2<\/h4>\n
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#2. Examples of Women Should Wear To a Business Casual Interview<\/h3>\n
Example of a Women\u2019s Outfit #1<\/h4>\n
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Example #2 of a Woman\u2019s Outfit<\/h4>\n
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#3. Examples of What To Wear To a Formal Business Interview Outfits for Women<\/h3>\n
Example of a Women\u2019s Outfit #1<\/h4>\n
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Example #2 of a Woman\u2019s Outfit<\/h4>\n
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What To Wear To An Interview (For Men)<\/h2>\n
#1. What To Wear To Smart Casual Interview For Men Examples<\/h3>\n
Example of a Men\u2019s Outfit #1<\/h4>\n
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Example #2 of a Men\u2019s Outfit<\/h4>\n
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#2. What To Wear To Business Casual Interview For Men Examples<\/h3>\n
Example of a Men\u2019s Outfit #1<\/h4>\n
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Example #2 of a Men\u2019s Outfit<\/h4>\n
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#3. Examples of What To Wear To Business Formal Interview for Men<\/h3>\n
Example of a Men\u2019s Outfit #1<\/h4>\n
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Men\u2019s Outfit Example #2<\/h4>\n
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What Not to Wear to an Interview<\/h2>\n
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What Should I Wear to a Law Firm Job Interview?<\/h2>\n
What Colors Should I Avoid Wearing To a Job Interview,?<\/h2>\n
What to Wear to an Interview: Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Can I wear all black to an interview?<\/h2>\n
Are jeans OK for interview?<\/h2>\n
Should you wear jewelry to an interview?<\/h2>\n