When it comes to job interviews, the age-old advice is to "dress for the job you want." But with so many different workplace dress codes these days - from suits and ties to hoodies and jeans - it can be tricky to know exactly what to wear.
How smart
This depends on factors like the industry and company culture. A large investment bank will likely have a different expectation to a small creative agency. While a growing number of employers encourage more casual attire, the general rule of thumb is still to err on the side of being too smart rather than too casual unless you are very confident that casual is acceptable. If you end up being too smart - it's not a disaster and much better than looking too casual. You can always for example, remove a jacket if the vibe is more casual than expected.
Try having a look at the company's social media to get a sense of the typical clothing norms for employees. Although bear in mind expectations might be smarter for an interview. If you are completely unsure, you can always ask. This could be through asking a contact on LinkedIn or asking the contact who invited you to interview.
If your interview is remote, we'd still suggest dressing smartly - including your bottom half. It helps you to get in the right frame of mind.
What to actually wear
What does "smart" actually mean? Except for the most formal of professions where you might be expected to wear a full suit, smart interview attire generally means business casual. This means clothing that can be worn under a suit jacket or with formal tailored trousers/skirts but can also been worn on their own. For example:
- A top in a solid colour or with a simple pattern
- Plain trousers in dark/neutral colours
- Pencil/A-line skirt or dress (at least knee length)
- Shirt with collar and long sleeves
- Closed-toe shoes
Even if a full suit is not required, you might still want to wear a blazer jacket. Depending on how smart you are going this could match what you are wearing on your bottom half or complement it.
Avoid:
- Denim jeans
- Slogan t-shirts
- Flip flops
- Clothes that show your underwear
- Very low necklines
- Very short hem lines
These are just some guidelines, and there's lots of variety in what can look smart. It's ok to show a bit of your personality with what you wear if you want to but an interview is not the day for your flashiest outfit or taking a risk. Most importantly - wear something you are comfortable in. Or as comfortable as you can be in smart attire! Make sure you try on your outfit before the interview day to check how it looks and get second opinions if needed.
While we are experts on all things Careers, fashion experts we are not. We can give you guidance on what and what not to wear, but we can't promise a fashionable fit. So if you are struggling for inspiration, you can find some great ideas on TikTok/Instagram - there are whole accounts dedicated to workwear outfit inspiration (using the term "Realistic" when searching can give more viable options). Although do take some outfits with a pinch of salt as we've mentioned, expectations can vary greatly between different employers.
Where to source
What if you're on a tight budget and don't have a closet full of "interview-worthy" outfits? Fear not! There are plenty of affordable, smart-looking options. Supermarkets often stock suits and other business attire. Ideally you do want things to fit well, so for budget options you might want to try charity shops so you can assess things in person. However second-hand online marketplaces like Vinted can also offer bargains.
There are also charities and other organisations that can offer interview clothing support. In Bath we have 1st Impressions who offer interview clothing services to women.
Don't forget the basics
No matter how smart or casual the interview, remember the basics. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle free (get the iron out or hang them up in the bathroom while you shower). Make sure you yourself are clean and presentable. And be cautious of using strong perfumes/colognes as these can be overwhelming if the interview room is small.
More interview help
Fashion police we are not - careers experts we most certainly are. So if you need any other help with your interview preparation, we are here to assist. Find out how to get help from Careers
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