How To Dress For An Interview To Make A Great First Impression

We all know the old adage that you should never judge a book by its cover. However, in certain settings, your appearance plays a significant role in how you are perceived.

During job interviews, your experience, knowledge and manners will only go so far. If you’re not dressed correctly, the first impression you make will be less than favorable, and any success you have will happen in spite of the clothes you’re wearing. 

This article will take you through everything you need to know about appropriate interview attire for all dress codes. We’ll also walk you through some outfit ideas, what not to wear, and dressing for virtual interviews vs. in-person interviews. 

How Should I Dress For An Interview?

During your interview preparation, you should take the time to understand the company culture to determine the best interview attire.

Exploring the company website and other sites like Glassdoor will give you valuable information on what the company is like and whether there is a company dress code.

If you are applying for a political, finance, or business job, you will typically be expected to wear formal interview clothes.

Start-ups or businesses with staff who are pictured with a more casual look might appreciate a more casual look. However, you should try to appear slightly more formal, so they can see you have made an effort for the interview.

Formal Interview Attire Ideas

Business formal attire will typically be made up of a suit or matching pants and jacket, collared, button-up shirts, and a tie.

When dressing for formal interviews, you should appear neat and clean. Avoid ties, shoes, or socks that are too bright or contain cartoon characters, as this can deter from the overall aesthetic, and you may not be taken seriously.

• Suit Jacket – your suit jacket should be a solid dark color, or a small-scale pattern like herringbone or pinstripe. Your jacket length should barely cover your posterior, and your sleeves should show between a quarter and half an inch of the shirt sleeve.
• Button-Down Shirt – an ironed, button-down shirt in a white or light blue will always look smart. The shirt should fit well to avoid bunching at the waist and cuffs, and the neck size should allow the top button to be fastened comfortably without being too tight.
• Dress Pants – select a color or pattern that matches your suit jacket, and make sure your dress pants aren’t too baggy to avoid looking sloppy. 
• Dress shoes – black or brown laced leather shoes are your best option. They must be polished, free from scratches and in good condition.

Read More: Formal vs. Semi-Formal Style Guide

Business Casual Interview Outfit Ideas

While business casual outfits are still quite polished, you aren’t so restricted when putting them together as you are with formal business interview outfits. 

Business casual clothing for men typically consists of smart pants like chinos or dress slacks, button-down shirts, sports coats, sweaters, and polo shirts. Stick with leather footwear for business casual attire.

• Blazer – a well-fitting blazer or sportcoat in a block color or small-scale pattern is the easiest route to go for a business casual interview. 
• Dress Shirt – while polo shirts are typically acceptable for business casual workplaces, you should opt for a button-down dress shirt for an interview. A light color that isn’t too loose and doesn’t pull at the buttons across the chest will look great.
• Dress Pants – you can wear dress trousers, khakis, or chinos here. Always match your pants with your jacket, and never wear jeans.  
• Dress shoes – leather footwear is the best choice for business casual. Wear oxfords, loafers, or boots, and always avoid wearing trainers. 

Smart Casual Interview Outfit Ideas

Smart casual dress for job interviews isn’t a million miles away from business casual. Another step down in formality, you don’t have to wear a jacket, and dark denim and clean sneakers are typically acceptable. 

• Polo Shirt – a solid color polo shirt, looks smarter than a t-shirt, but still not too dressy. Look for a shirt that is fitted across the chest and arms and tapers to the waist. Stick to office-friendly colors like navy blue, white, and red. 
• Dress Pants – slacks, khakis, chinos, and even dark denim is acceptable for smart casual interviews. To make the best impression, ensure your pants are clean and wrinkle-free. 
• Dress shoes – leather shoes or boots  are acceptable for smart casual business interviews. As always, you should ensure they are polished (if needed), scratch-free, and in good condition. Sticking to black or brown for your interview will help you maintain a good appearance.

What Are The 3 Rules For Dressing For An Interview?

1. Wear Neutral Colors – wearing neutral tones when interviewing for a job is always more professional. Bright colors and patterns distract from the topic at hand, and can make you more memorable for your outfit rather than your job qualifications. .
2. Avoid Over-Accessorizing – it’s always better to keep it simple. Wear small, classic pieces to avoid distracting your interviewers. Also, while attitudes toward piercings have mellowed, edgier piercings, like any facial piercings, should be removed for your interview. 
3. Make Sure You’re Well-Groomed – personal appearance is also important for making a great first impression. Schedule a haircut a few days before, trim or shave your beard, and always show up clean. 

Tips For Feeling More Confident At Your Job Interview

Job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience, so taking the time to prepare properly can help to build your confidence before your appointment.

Do Your Research

Research and prep before a job interview makes a significant difference to your chances of impressing during the interview process.

Again, always check the company website and social media to get a grasp on the general dress code. Then, you’re more likely to look the part when it comes time to interview. Also utilize databases like Glassdoor for additional info and advice from past employees. 

Wear An Undershirt

To feel your most confident when you walk into your interview, invest in your underwear, too. Especially important if you’re interviewing in person, a fitted undershirt protects your skin from irritation against clothing fabric, so you don’t squirm or itch during your interview. 

An undershirt also protects your clothes from sweat stains and odor, so your outer appearance isn’t impacted by nerves or a long walk to the office. 

A really good undershirt, like an UnderFit undershirt, will streamline your shape, fit close to the body and keep you cool and comfortable throughout the whole day. UnderFit undershirts also stay tucked, so you don’t have to worry about getting the “undershirt gut” or bunching around your waist. Remember, appearance matters in an interview (even if it shouldn’t).

Choose Your Outfit Before The Day Of Your Interview

Choosing your interview attire the night before, or even further in advance, will give you peace of mind knowing that your outfit looks good and fits well.

Try everything on as far in advance as you can, and make sure everything is washed and pressed a few days before the big day. 

Dressing For In-Person Interviews vs. Zoom Interviews

Many job interviews are now carried out remotely. Even if you are being interviewed virtually, however, you should still dress as you would if you were interviewing in person. Make sure everything fits, and still prioritize your personal hygiene, as it’s still possible to look unkempt through a screen. 

Even though you may not need to worry as much about your dress trousers or shoes, be aware that if you have to stand up for any reason during the interview and reveal shorts or sweatpants, this will reflect poorly on you.

Go Into Your Interview As Confident As Possible

Showing up to an interview confident and prepared shows the interviewer that you are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and look the part.

As well as ensuring you wear the right style of clothes, something as simple as an undershirt will enhance your appearance, keeping you cool and comfortable while protecting your clothes from sweat stains and off-putting odor. 

How you look, how you interact with the interviewer and your knowledge about the role will all be considered during the interview process. The more calm, cool, and collected you are, the better chance you will have of impressing. Check out our premium undershirts to find the best fit for your big day, and approach your interview with a different kind of confidence.

About Leigh McKenzie

Leigh is the owner of UnderFit, a premium men's undershirt brand based in Philadelphia, PA. You can follow Leigh on LinkedIn and Twitter.