Interview Dress Code: What You Wear Matters!
Is dressing up for your interview important? Do first impressions matter? Do first impressions last?
Do you have an interview lined up? Do you have such questions in mind? Are you worried about what clothes to wear for that interview?
Wearing the right clothes to an interview is as important as having a stellar resume and a cover letter. Experts say, 55% of the first impressions are made by what we see. It makes for a good first impression when you dress right for an interview.
The extra effort in thinking about your outfit conveys that you are a serious candidate. It shows that you have taken an extra step to polish your professional image.
Read on to understand how to dress for an interview and get one step closer to bagging that dream job or internship!
Table of Content
- What to wear to an interview?
- What are the best interview outfits for females?
- What are the best interview outfits for males?
- What are the best colors to wear for an interview?
- How to make the best first impression in an interview?
Interview Dress Code
Is there an appropriate dress code for an interview? The answer is yes!
The interview attire shall follow the 3-Ps. They are
- Professional: Wear business professional attire for the interview.
- Proper Fit: Wear well-fitting clothes for the interview.
- Polished: Focus on your grooming and small details of your outfit to look polished.
Would Dressing Professionally Help You?
Dressing professionally can help you in the following ways:
- Leave a lasting impression: The first impression is the last impression! In many cases, first impressions might be your only chance to get it right. The best way to leave a lasting impression is to dress professionally for an interview.
- Prove that you are a serious candidate: A serious candidate would give the time and effort required to excel at the interview. Choosing appropriate attire shows that you are genuinely interested in the role and respectful of the interview’s time.
- Boost your self-confidence: When you wear clothes you are comfortable with and look good in, it surely boosts your confidence.
Also Read: What are the most common interview questions in 2022?
Interview Dress Code Female
Know the corporate culture before deciding on your interview attire. The following table has the best interview outfits for women summarized:
| | Business Professional Outfits Female | Casual Interview Outfits Female |
| Items | Suits: Jackets, Pants, Skirts, Blouses | Jackets/Blazers, Pants, Skirts, Blouses, Dresses, Shirts, Sweaters |
| Suit Colors | Black, Navy, Dark Grey, Dark Brown | More Colors Are Acceptable |
| Shirt Color | White, Ivory, Solid Color | More Colors Are Acceptable |
| Shoes | Closed-toe shoes | Closed-toe Shoes (Flats, Heels, Wedges) |
| Shoe Color | Black, Navy, Dark Grey, Neutral | Neutral Colors |
| Hair | Well-groomed | Well-groomed |
| Nails | Trimmed, Neutral, or soft nail-polish | Trimmed, Neutral, or soft nail-polish |
| Makeup | Light | Light |
| Accessories | A watch and a belt only | A watch and a belt only |
| Scents | Light & subtle | Light & subtle |
Quick-Tips for Women
Remember to keep the following tips in mind while deciding on your dress code for interview:
- Keep clothing neutral and classic.
- Suits, pants, and skirts shall match in color.
- Shirts/blouses could be in contrast with the suit color.
- Choose plain shirts/blouses with sleeves.
- Shoes should match in color with the clothing.
- Flashy colors or patterns.
- Low-cut blouses or other casual attire.
- High heels that would make you uncomfortable.
- A lot of jewelry and makeup.
Also Read: What are the top interview questions in 2022 with sample answers?
Interview Dress Code Male
Understand the work culture of the company before deciding on your interview. Take help from the following table:
| | Business Professional Outfits Male | Casual Interview Outfits Male |
| Items | Two-piece Suits: Jackets, Trousers, Tie, Shirts | Blazers, Sport Coats, V-neck Sweaters, Button-down or Polo Shirts |
| Suit Colors | Black, Navy, Dark Grey, Dark Brown | More Colors Are Acceptable |
| Shirt Color | White, Light Blue | More Colors Are Acceptable |
| Shoes | Leather Shoes and Calf-length Socks | Leather Shoes |
| Shoe Color | Black, Navy, Dark Blue, Dark Gray | Neutral Tones |
| Hair | Neatly-styled, Well-groomed | Neatly-styled, Well-groomed |
| Nails | Trimmed | Trimmed |
| Accessories | In moderation: A watch and a belt only | In moderation: A watch and a belt only |
| Scents | Light & subtle | Light & subtle |
Quick-Tips for Men
The best tips to consider while deciding on your interview dress code
- Again, keep clothing neutral and classic.
- Jackets and trousers shall be of the same color.
- Solid-colored suits are the best.
- The belt color shall match the color of the shoes.
- Refrain from wearing flashy colors.
- A tie is optional in a business-casual interview but a must in a business-professional interview.
- Flashy colors or patterns.
- Sleeveless shirts without a jacket.
- Faded khakis, linens, etc.
- Open-toe shoes or boat shoes, tennis shoes, etc.
Also Read: Mock interview questions with sample answers
The Language of Colors
Unconsciously, colors set the tone of the conversation. Colors evoke particular human responses in each one of us. Picking the right colors helps to channel the conversation in the right direction.
Choose from the following colors:
- Black: It is a popular choice among interviewees and conveys competency and power. It is suitable when applying for an executive position or in a conservative office environment.
- Blue: Blue stands for calm, trust, and confidence. It is among the favorite colors of many people. So, you can not go wrong with blue. Navy blue and muted blues are popular choices among interviewees.
- Gray: It evokes sophistication and neutrality and conveys that you are independent, logical, and analytical. It is a great neutral color choice for an interview.
- Brown: Earthy tones evoke a sense of calm in the interviewer. It communicates that you are a reliable person.
Tips for Making a Good First Impression
- Make sure you have an appropriate interview outfit that fits you well.
- Get your clothes ironed and wrinkle-free the night before the interview.
- Polish your shoes the night before.
- Keep your essentials: resume, cover letter, portfolio, prior experience certificate, education certifications, other licenses, etc. packed to avoid the last-minute rush.
- Arrive at the interview location at least 15 minutes early.
- Keep a breath mint along and use it before the interview begins.
- Turn your cell phone off so that you are not distracted mid-interview.
- Enter the room with a smile and greet the interviewers.
- Maintain eye contact with the recruiters.
- Maintain decent body language and answer the questions honestly.
Key Takeaways
Research the corporate culture- do they prefer professional attire or not. Decide your interview attire accordingly.
- Keep it tidy and simple. Use limited accessories and makeup.
- Choose from neutral tones to keep it classic.
- Match colors of jackets and pants.
- Keep the color of the shirt in contrast.
- Iron your clothes and polish your shoes beforehand.
- Carry the interview essentials: resume, experience certificates, and other important documents.
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