What to Wear to an Interview 2023

By Reid - July 17, 2023

how to dress for an interview

Dress for the job you want! I'm sure many of you have heard that saying before. But it's true. Your attire can mean all the difference between getting hired or missing a lucrative job opportunity. Check out these crucial tips on what to wear to a job interview.

Questions Answered (Updated 2023)

Why Job Interview Attire is Important
Deciding What to Wear to a Job Interview
What to Avoid When Picking Your Interview Outfits
What is the Best Color to Wear to an Interview
Looking for extra interview help? Check out our list of the best job interview coaches

Knowing what to wear to a job interview is an integral part of preparing for the meeting. After all, our appearance plays a massive role in people's perception of us and our professionalism.

However, there have been radical changes in "professional looks" across industries, causing one to wonder how a professional should look.

Is it a three-piece suit? Is it business casual? Do clothing brands matter?

Read on to learn why it's crucial to think about what to wear to a job interview and some tips to help you choose the proper attire.

Why Job Interview Attire Is Important

While I’m sure they refrain from “judging a book by its cover”, recruiters and HR managers notice how well-dressed a job seeker is a moment they walk in. It takes them seconds to form an impression of you.

Your appearance impacts their perception of how suitable you are for the position. And while a lot of debate could arise on whether that's fair or even accurate, appearance does matter.

4 Tips to help decide What to Wear for a Job Interview

1. Research the Company's Dress Code

You've most likely done ample research on the company when prepping for the interview and have a sense of its culture. Such information should inform your decision on what to wear for the interview.

If you're unsure of the appropriate formality level, check out photos on their social media sites.

You can also call the HR department about your upcoming interview. Then explain your dilemma and see if you can get some help.

For a formal workplace, a dark-colored suit is most appropriate. For ladies, suits can be pantsuits or skirt suits. A dress is also suitable, but it needs to look very professional. It's wise to wear a jacket with a skirt or a blazer over a dress.

For a casual business workplace, business casual is the way to go. That means you need to dress like a professional without being too formal. It's a step away from the dark-colored suit. Wear a dress shirt, blazer, and matching pants, and complete your look with a belt and Oxfords or loafers.

You can wear casual attire for a more casual workplace as long as it looks clean. Wear dark jeans or slacks and a button-down shirt. For ladies, dark jeans are also okay, or a knee-length skirt worn with either flats or heels. Just don't wear open-toe shoes.

dress code step brothers

2. Be Authentic in Your Appearance

So you've nailed it regarding your wardrobe, but is it you? Let how you dress portray the person you are in everyday life.

Follow the dress code rules they put in place but don't stray too far from who you are. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure you feel comfortable. This always helps in the confidence department!

3. Keep the job interview attire simple

As a job seeker, you should be careful about the message luxury brands can convey: wealth, power, and high social standing.

Jobs often call for trustworthiness, likability, and empathy because they enable a person to perform well and be a good team player.

You might skip these status symbols because research suggests that wearing luxury brands rates people lower on warmth and trustworthiness.

Save those fancy threads for the celebration party after you land the new job!

4. Be Reasonable

Many consider self-expression to be a dominant necessity of human nature. However, while self-expression is encouraged, what matters most here is that you express yourself as the most suitable candidate for the job. So don't dress sloppily with the excuse that you're being authentic or being yourself.

Remember, just as vocal statements can be polarizing, so can our fashion statements. So, as much as you'd like to be self-expressive, this is not the time or place. For now, you want to focus on getting that job.

What you wear should also match the role that you're applying for. For example, a banker and a gym instructor need different wardrobes.

Related Articles:

Interview Outfits for Women

interview attire for women

Source: thebalancecareers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What to Avoid When Choosing Your Job interview attire

Regardless of how formal or informal the workplace is, the goal is to look professional. To make a good impression, here are some things to avoid:

Avoid suits and clothing that are out of date or ill-fitting.
Avoid clothing that is too casual or inappropriate for some settings.
Avoid appearing sloppy. When you don't bother to iron your shirt or tuck it in, it can look unprofessional.
Avoid athletic or sports shoes, flip-flops, and open-toed shoes or sandals.
Avoid tank tops or shorts.
Avoid showing bra straps or underwear through your pants/skirt.
When you stand with your arms on your sides, and the hem of your dress or skirt is above your fingertips, it's generally too short. Choose a longer one.
Avoid low necklines or exposing your belly.
Avoid perfumes or colognes because, in small rooms, smells can be distracting. Also, some scents can be very irritating to others.

What is the best color to wear to an interview?

The best colors to wear to an interview are neutral. White, black, gray, navy, tan, and cream are excellent colors to work with.

What is the best Men's Interview Attire?

Here are a few guidelines for men who are interviewing for high-level roles:

Suit in a solid color such as navy, black, or dark gray
Long-sleeved white shirt
Matching belt, socks, and shoes
Tie
Clean-cut hair and facial hair
Portfolio or briefcase

What is the best Women’s Interview Attire?

Here are a few fundamental guidelines of what women should wear to a professional interview:

Suit in a solid color such as navy, black, or dark gray
Suit skirt
Coordinated blouse
Simple shoes
Minimal jewelry
Limited amount of perfume
Portfolio or briefcase

Wrapping Up | What to wear to an interview

First impressions are critical, which can make dressing for an interview just as stressful as the interview itself. To recap our four simple steps to make sure you dress correctly:

Research the company beforehand
Be authentic with your choice
Keep things simple
Be reasonable

Whether you’re applying for a position in a formal business setting or interviewing online with more for a casual setting, we hope these tips will help you pick the best job interview outfit for your next big day.

Just remember to dress comfortably, be yourself, and show them why you are the best option for the job! Best of Luck!

Do you need some additional job interview prep or resume writing help? Here’s an article on Job Interview Coaching Services and a great Resume Writing Service you might like.

Title: What to Wear to a Job Interview (Interview Outfits)

Category: theInterview

Tags: what to wear to a job interview, job interview attire, what do you wear for a job interview, job interview outfits, how to dress for an interview, rules for dressing for an interview, what to wear to an interview

Author: Reid is a contributor to theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile