Different interview outfits and how to style them

What you wear to a job interview is an important factor in the first impression you make. Your work interview outfit can say, “I’m professional,” or it can say, “I don’t really care about this job” – even if you care very much. Getting it right means the focus will be on your answers and attitude rather than on the clothes you’re wearing.

It takes just seconds for someone to make a judgement about who you are based on the way you look. During a job interview, you can expect even more scrutiny, so that first first impression is especially important. When you’re applying for a job, you want the hiring manager to see a person that looks polished and professional.

If you’re not sure what to wear for an interview, read on. In this article, we cover different ideas for interview outfits and classic pieces you can rely on, to help you make a great first impression.

Why your interview outfit is important

Interview outfits can be hard to get right if you’re not used to wearing a corporate clothing. But getting your look right for the hiring company is essential if you want to be considered for the role. The interviewer will take everything about you into consideration when evaluating you as a potential employee. Do you look like you’d  fit in with the team? Would you be a good representative for the company? These considerations are even more important if you’ll be working with customers or clients.

When choosing the right outfit for an interview, it’s important to match your look to the type of work and the formality of the organisation. For example, if you are interviewing for a position in a trade, a clean, smart-casual outfit is appropriate. If you’d be working in a bank, your interview outfit would be more conservative and formal. Research the company and their culture before deciding on an interview outfit, so you look like a good fit the moment you walk in the door. 

Corporate job interview outfits

A corporate job interview, one where you’d be working in an office, calls for business formal or business casual clothing. Job interview outfits in these styles are fairly similar, with small but important differences. 

Business formal job interview outfit examples

Business formal job interview outfits are the most conservative and formal of all interview dress codes. Both men and women should wear a suit, with a button-down shirt and leather dress shoes (like Oxford shoes or brogues, or low heels for women.) Women have the option to wear a skirt suit or pants suit, though the former (with a knee-length skirt) is sometimes seen as ‘more professional’ in conservative fields like law. Men should wear a tie and a plain shirt. Stick to neutral materials in navy, grey and brown for your suit and keep accessories to a minimum. 

Business casual job interview outfit examples

Business casual job interview outfits are slightly more relaxed than business formal. For men, business casual looks like a dress shirt, tailored pants and leather shoes – suit jacket not required – or a polo shirt and dress pants with a blazer. Women’s business casual styles include tailored pants, mid-length skirts or dresses, and long-sleeved shirts and blouses.

While this dress code is a little more laidback, it’s not quite relaxed enough for tight, revealing or loud clothing choices. You should still err on the conservative side with shirt cuts, shoes, colours and accessories. If you want to minimise visible sweat marks, wear darker colours.

Start-up work interview outfit ideas

Outfits for an interview at a start-up can be more relaxed than those in a typical corporate environment. Start-ups tend to have a more modern and laidback attitude to dressing, so a business-casual or smart-casual outfit would be appropriate.

Startup business casual job interview outfit examples

For a startup business-casual job interview, you could opt for a professional look with some fashionable elements. Pair tailored dark-coloured jeans or chinos with a button-down shirt or blouse in a complementary colour or pattern. Complete the outfit with comfortable yet stylish shoes, such as loafers, chunky flats or dressy sneakers. Wear a blazer if you feel your outfit is too casual. Use accessories to show some personality, whether it’s a watch, statement ring or designer bag. 

Startup smart casual job interview outfit examples

For a smart casual job interview at a startup, consider a relaxed yet neat streetwear ensemble. Opt for tailored trousers or dark jeans paired with a button-down shirt or blouse. Choose footwear like loafers, ankle boots or clean sneakers – shoes that are comfortable and show a sense of style. Use your accessories to convey personality – startup cultures are generally quite accepting of facial piercings, visible tattoos and unconventional hairstyles. Again, before deciding on an outfit, research the company to make sure your look fits with their company culture. 

What to wear for an online interview

When dressing for an online interview, the intention is still to look professional and polished – with the extra consideration of how you appear on camera. Resist the temptation to only dress neatly from the waist up. Dressing as you would for an in-person interview will help you get into the right mental space – plus there’s a chance you will need to stand up during your interview.

When dressing for an online interview, do the same research as if you were interviewing in person. Keep in mind how jackets and shirts may bunch up when you’re sitting down and avoid wearing patterns that look distorted on camera. You can check how you look by testing your camera – well before the interview takes place. 

Consider your background for the interview too. You don’t want anything distracting behind you, or have any filters on, as this can take the attention away from you as a prospective employee. 

Tips on selecting the right work interview outfit

Doubting your work interview outfit can make you more nervous for your interview than you need to be. To help you feel confident in your outfit choices:

• Research the company’s website and social media to get a feel for their company culture and what their staff typically wear
• Prioritise being comfortable, especially with summer interview outfits, while still looking professional
• Ensure your clothing is free of holes and wrinkles, don’t wear jeans with rips or excessive embellishments

If you can dress in a similar way to the oganisation’s employees, it helps the hiring manager envision you in the team. It will also help you feel confident in your appearance, so you can fully focus on your interviewer and their questions. 

Choosing the right interview outfit is an important step in making a good first impression on a potential employer. Whatever outfit you choose, make sure it’s clean, fits well, is ironed and doesn’t cause a distraction. Feeling comfortable and confident – and looking polished and professional – is a big part of showing you’d be an asset to the team. 

FAQs

Are there colours I should avoid wearing to an interview?

You should avoid wearing bright patterns and constrasting colours to an interview as these can be distracting. It’s recommended to wear dark, neutral colours as they allow the focus to be on your skills and suitability for the job.

How should I choose the right accessories for my interview outfit?

The right accessories for an interview outfit are those that complement your look, suit the company culture, and don’t cause a distraction. A watch, simple earrings and a chain necklace are considered suitable accessories for interviews – engagement and wedding bands, and other cultural jewellery pieces are also fine.

What should I do if I’m unsure about the dress code?

If you are unsure about the dress code for an upcoming interview, search out the company’s social media accounts or website to see how their staff typically dress. You can also ask the hiring manager for specific guidelines related to the company dress code. When in doubt about an interview dress code, opt for business casual. 

What is smart casual dress code for an interview?

A smart casual dress code is midway between formal business wear and more casual everyday attire. You can pair a button-down shirt with more casual bottoms or tailored pants with a more relaxed top. Your shoes can be dressy sneakers, loafers, boots or leather shoes. Even in the most laidback settings, avoid wearing flip-flops/thongs, sandals and clogs as they are too casual for an interview.