Interviewing can be a stressful ordeal, and one aspect of that is deciding what to wear. You want to make a good impression, come across as professional, and leave the interviewer with the sense that you'd be a great fit for their position.
What NOT to Wear
You may already know some obvious "no" items (jeans, shorts, crop tops, sneakers, flip flops), but here are a few others to avoid:
- Ill-fitting clothing — too tight or too baggy, plus uncomfortable shoes. You want to look good and feel comfortable. The interview process is already uncomfortable enough.
- Too much perfume or cologne — even if you like the scent, it could be off-putting to your interviewer.
- Bright colors and bold patterns — this goes for dresses, shirts, pants, jackets, and ties.
What You SHOULD Wear
Your attire should at least match — if not exceed — the type of attire worn by the interviewer. Research the company's standard dress code beforehand. You always want to aim for neat and polished. Here are some classics you can't go wrong with:
- Business casual dress or pencil skirt
- Button-down dress shirt
- Slacks or khakis
- Sweater or cardigan
- Dress shoes
Pro Tips
- Try on your outfit a few days before the interview to confirm it fits well and you feel confident.
- Get a second opinion — ask a friend or family member for their honest first impression.
- Safe colors: black, white, navy blue, gray. A small splash of color is fine; bold patterns are not.
- Have at least one go-to interview outfit ready in your closet. If you're interviewing at multiple places, keep a rotation so you never wear the same outfit twice to the same company.