Dressing for an interview is about making the best possible first impression. You want to be polished and put together while still showing your own style and personality.
How formal should I dress for a job interview?
Overdressed is better than underdressed, so in general, go with business casual attire at a minimum. Depending on the workplace and the field you work in, you may need to be more formal. Industries like law, finance, real estate, and consulting tend to require more formal dress, while tech, retail, and creative fields, for example, tend to be more dressed down. But there are always exceptions to the rule.
Before you go in for your interview, do a little research. Check out the company’s website and careers page—they may describe their workplace dress code there, or you can simply ask your contact there what the office dress code is.
Many offices have adopted casual dress codes regardless of industry, but it’s not the best idea to roll into an interview in jeans and a T-shirt, even if that’s what everyone else is wearing. Up your game. If their dress code is casual, you should dial it up a few notches.
Tips for picking an interview outfit
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Better overdressed than underdressed. Even if you’re interviewing to work in a casual workplace, sneakers are out. When it comes to jeans, proceed with caution and check out how the ladies below have dressed them up.
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Make sure you’re comfortable. Wear your outfit around the house for an hour or so. You should be able to sit and move comfortably.
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Dress in layers so you can stay comfortable no matter how warm or cold your interview environment is.
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Break in your shoes first. Make sure you’re comfortable. Blisters are no one’s friend.
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Have a rain plan—a weather-ready backup outfit and a great jacket and an umbrella ready to go.
27 interview outfits ideas
For a more formal workplace, we like this dark structured dress with a pop of color in the shoes.
Vibe: I am your boss.
If you’re going to get away with jeans in an interview, this is how to do it.
Vibe: The deal closer.
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer balances a business professional dress and heels with a casual leather biker jacket.
Vibe: Creative director in charge of all.
Dr. Cynthia Anunobi does business professional in a defined gray suit accented with a blue silk top.
Vibe: I hereby diagnose you with being totally fire.
That jewel-tone color combo tho.
Vibe: World’s foremost couture jewelry designer on her way to a coffee meeting.
Camila Figueiredo in stylish blue monochrome.
Vibe: I own the finest hotels on the Amalfi Coast.
Scientist Lauren Callendar keeps it polished and professional in simple black and white with leather loafers.
Vibe: Young and coming for your job.
The perfect summer interview outfit.
Vibe: Whatever you can do I can do better and with the breeze in my hair.
Tea length dresses can be hard to pull off, but Kelsey Loree is doing it just right.
Vibe: Barreling full speed toward job promotion.
Pink shoes. Pink shoes. Pink shoes. Pink shoes.
Vibe: CFO cruising on through.
Workwear blogger Virginia nails it in a plaid wrap skirt and point-toe pumps.
Vibe: Always chic, always on time.
Sleek, modern, refined.
Vibe: You’ll have to excuse me, I have a late lunch with Amal and George.
A simple, no-fuss way to bring casual to business casual is with a blazer.
Vibe: Eye on the prize.
We love this black and white stripe shirtdress with a bold red lip.
Vibe: Hold my bag while I run this company.
All black plus killer Doc-inspired oxfords.
Vibe: Paris museum director reading Camus at lunch.
I have no doubt she means business.
Vibe: Equally comfortable deposing a witness and drinking a martini.
It’s hard to go wrong with a classic sheath dress.
Vibe: Mark Zucherberg who?
Wendy Knipp shows us how it’s done in a classic pencil skirt.
Vibe: I run my own firm. What have you done today?
I would eat that tiger-print skirt with a spoon.
Vibe: I get the raises I ask for.
Katie Parrott shows us interview outfits need not be drab with a red plaid duster.
Vibe: Next world-renowned carbon-neutral architect.
Stealing from the boys and doing it better.
Vibe: Maxwell Perkins had his day—I’m out to discover the next Alice Walker.
A dark top deserves a loud pattern.
Vibe: President in training.
Head-to-toe pinstripe bodysuit with a black headband for a more casual interview look.
Vibe: Will code you under the table.
This is another polished approach to interview denim. When it’s dressed up, it can just feel right.
Vibe: Why own one restaurant when you can own three?
For those who love a retro look.
Vibe: Working on my next TED Talk.
Would hire just because of the polkadots.
Vibe: Pastels are for power.
Please don’t miss that little green belt detail.
Vibe: I’m sorry, I can’t hear you over those suede boots.
