Deciding Your Interview Attire: What to Wear?

What is the best outfit to wear to an interview? First of all, there is no “best” outfit. Several factors come into play when choosing an interview attire. These factors include the work environment, your role, or the type of company you’re interviewing for.

This article will focus on the attires that will make you look professional and presentable for your interview. And don't worry, the list is gender-inclusive, with additional tips to help you out.

Why is it so important to dress right for interviews?

What you’re wearing is the first thing your interviewer will notice about you. And the fact that first impressions stick has been proven multiple times. And yes, this is what industry leaders and fashion critics agree with too.

Hence, the basic step you can take to land your dream job is to decide what to wear and spend time selecting the perfect interview attire. No worries, we got you covered.

Regardless of your fashion knowledge, deciding on an interview attire will most likely get you stressed. Don’t let the stress of choosing an outfit overwhelm you, as we’ve got your back. So without further ado, let's delve in and help you choose your perfect attire.

Interview Outfits According to Environment

Simply deciding on a formal outfit for your interview may not be sufficient in all cases. You also need to research what working environment the company has or follows.

Multinational companies, law firms, investment banks, and real estate firms may need you to follow a formal dress code throughout their work week. Meanwhile, other companies require you to dress formally only on specific occasions or days of the week.

55% of the time, a first impression is made based on your appearance and how you enter the room, according to certain data.

Here, we have simplified things for you according to 3 types of office environments.

1. Business Formal Environment

Business Formal Attire is the most common type of interview attire and is accepted as a standard form of dressing up.

If the company you are interviewing for has a formal business environment, you should definitely wear something similar. Here are some rules of thumb to follow while dressing up in such an environment.

• Wear a single-breasted two-piece suit.
• The darker the color, the more formal it looks.
• Always wear solid colors or small pinstripes.
• Try to wear solid, light-colored shirts.
• Wear shoes/heels and socks matching the outfit.
• Style your hair neatly.
• Ensure that your shoes are polished and without stains.
• Carry your documents in a briefcase or a laptop bag.
• Cover all your tattoos and remove any piercings.

The common industries in this category are finance, government, law, and banking. Some of these companies might also follow a certain dress code; hence it’s never a bad idea to ask first.

2. Business Casual Environment

In a business environment where the dress code is more relaxed and there are no specific norms about work attire, you can safely wear business casual attire. Wear something that strikes a balance between casual and over-the-top to project a professional image.

Simply because it’s business casual doesn’t mean you’ll go to the interview in flip-flops. Wearing a proper attire for the interview is as important as the interview itself. Here are some tips for dressing yourself in a business-casual environment.

• Wear a button-up or button-down shirt that is clean and ironed.
• Do not wear any loud colors or patterns.
• Wear solid-colored bottoms that match your shirt.
• You can also wear simple polo t-shirts with minimal or no patterns.
• Pair up your outfit with a blazer to throw a professional look.
• Wear shoes that cover your toes, for example, loafers or heels.
• You can wear minimal accessories that do not grab much attention.
• Ensure that your hair is neatly done.
• Avoid carrying large bags.
• Cover all your tattoos.

Wearing a suit in a business-casual environment is not necessary. You can mix and match your casual outfits with your formal outfits to create a proper business casual interview outfit.

3. Casual Environment

Most start-ups or millennial and Gen Z-friendly workplaces have a casual environment, and wearing formal attire to their interviews is uncalled for. The goal is to look tidy and professional but not too formal.

Avoid dressing up too casually because you want to make a good first impression. Try to stay a notch higher than the average employees working in the company. Here are some suggestions to follow.

• Regardless of the outfit, ensure it’s clean and tidy.
• Avoid wearing denim or jeans.
• Polos and solid casual shirts are good options.
• Wear shoes with closed toes.
• Mid-length skirts or professional dresses are a good choice.
• Ensure your outfit fits you well.
• Don’t wear graphic T-shirts or loud patterns.
• Be comfortable in your attire.
• Choose your jewelry wisely, don’t be too loud.
• Style your hair neatly.
• Pick up a well-matched outfit.

Interview Attire: Gender-Neutral

Gender-neutral interview attire levels the playing field regardless of your gender identity. Gender-neutral attire does not differentiate between a woman, a man, or a non-binary individual.

The best example of such attire is a button-down shirt with a pair of formal pants. All genders can wear such an outfit without depending on their gender identity. Your gender should not limit you while you’re dressing for a job.

Here are some suggestions about dressing up in a gender-neutral attire that fits any individual.

• Neutral colors: Black, white, beige, brown, blue, taupe, or grey.
• Accessories: Keep it minimal.
• Bags: Briefcase, professional bag, or a folder.
• Hats: Avoid wearing them unless it has a religious significance.
• Jewelry: Keep it minimal.
• Patterns: Avoid large and complicated patterns; simple and minimal ones are fine.
• Tops: Button-fronts, turtle necks, polos, or casual knits.
• Bottoms: Khakis, formal pants, or trousers.
• Make sure your clothes fit you perfectly.
• Iron your outfit and ensure it is clean.
• Throw in a blazer to give a professional look.

Interview Attire: Women

Because women traditionally have more clothing options, choosing an appropriate outfit for an interview can get pretty tricky.

If you know anybody working at the office, ask them about the office environment, or simply ask your POC if there’s a company dress code. Do not stress yourself out too much about the attire, as it’s your skills that matter at the end of the day. Wearing a proper outfit is a mere add-on to your confidence. Here are some suggestions to help you.

• First, decide if you want to wear a skirt or pants.
• Skirts: Knee length or midi skirt.
• Pant: Formal, straight, flared, wide leg, or bootleg.
• Neckline: U-Neck, square, turtle, cowl, boat, jewel, or tie-neck.
• A suit jacket is always a safe option.
• Ensure that your neckline does not go too low.
• Wear solid colors.
• If you’re wearing heels, try not to exceed 3 inches.
• Don’t wear heavy makeup; keep it light and natural.
• Style your hair neatly.
• Wear only closed-toe shoes.
• Keep your accessories minimal.

“Blazers can smarten up even the simplest of looks.” - Vogue.

Interview Attire: Men

When it comes to interview outfits for men, the choices are almost conservative. It is wise to stick to these conservative styles, at least for an interview, as you do not want to make a style statement that distracts your interviewer.

Dressing up in your typical shirt and blazer is a good rule to follow in any interview, whether for a law firm or a start-up. Here are some tips to follow while choosing an outfit for your interview or even to wear to a job.

• Wear dark and solid colors: Black, navy, grey, or brown.
• If you’re wearing a suit, choose a matching full-sleeve shirt.
• Always wear a belt.
• Choose a tie that matches your suit; try not to be too bold.
• Wear only formal shoes or loafers.
• Match your socks with your shoes.
• Ensure your outfit is clean and ironed.
• Style your hair neatly.
• Have clean and trimmed nails.
• Do not apply too much aftershave.
• Carry a briefcase or any professional bag.

An additional read: How to deal with anxiety about starting a new job?

What not to wear to an interview?

By now, you should have a general idea of what you should wear to the interview. However, there are some crucial things that you must avoid at all costs if you want to impress your interviewer.

• Strong perfume or cologne.
• Clothes that don’t fit you well.
• Un-ironed or torn garments.
• An uncomfortable outfit that does not reflect who you are.
• Very bright colors.
• Complicated and loud patterns.
• Unmatched shoes and outfit.
• Lots of accessories.
• Heavy jewelry.
• Face full of makeup.
• Sports shoes, sandals, or flip-flops.
• Garments that expose too much skin.

General Tips

Once you know what you’ll wear, spend enough time preparing for your interview and practicing some typical interview questions. At the end of the day, that’s what will matter most.

As your interview day gets closer, worry about the outfit less and more about the interview. Concentrate on things like:

• Research the company as much as possible.
• Get to know more about their work culture.
• Revise your professional experience.
• Frame your reason for leaving the last job well. Here’s some help: Top 13 Reasons For Leaving A Job.
• Answer questions to make the interviewers remember you.
• Focus on your strong points and be confident.
  

This article has been written by Pansy Thakuria. She works as a Content Marketing Specialist at Vantage Lens. Her areas of interest include marketing, mental well-being, travel, and digital tech. When she’s not writing, she’s usually planning trips to remote locations and stalking animals on social media.