While getting your foot in the door might feel like half the battle, job interviews require hours of preparation. From reading everything about the company that the internet has to offer to practising your perfectly crafted handshake, the build-up to an interview is stressful to say the least — and that’s without considering what you have to wear.
Outfits may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things but finding clothes that feel good and fit the workplace is an important step in the lead-up to the big day. “You want your outfit to say that you’re confident, professional and also personable,” fashion stylist Neelam Ahooja tells R29.
Although every work environment has a different dress code, Ahooja says there are still things to keep in mind when dressing for a job interview across the board. “Casual or formal, you should always consider the audience. Regardless of the profession, you want to appear put-together and respectful,” she explains.
In a time where many workplaces are becoming more laid-back, “dressing the part” can feel confusing, but Ahooja suggests erring on the side of smart and avoiding clothing that feels completely relaxed. “You should definitely stay away from things like open-toe shoes, ripped jeans, leather jackets, strapless tops, miniskirts, plunging necklines and anything neon,” she notes.
If you’re searching for some guidance on nailing your “hire me” look, we’ve pulled together a guide to job interview dressing, complete with practical advice from an expert stylist. To discover exactly how to dress, whatever the workplace, click through the slideshow ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
This article was originally published in January 2019 and has since been updated.
Outfits may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things but finding clothes that feel good and fit the workplace is an important step in the lead-up to the big day. “You want your outfit to say that you’re confident, professional and also personable,” fashion stylist Neelam Ahooja tells R29.
Although every work environment has a different dress code, Neelam says there are still things to keep in mind when dressing for a job interview across the board. “Casual or formal, you should always consider the audience. Regardless of the profession, you want to appear put-together and respectful,” she explains.
In a time where many workplaces are becoming more laid-back, ‘dressing the part’ can feel confusing but Neelam suggests erring on the side of smart and avoiding clothing that feels completely relaxed. “You should definitely stay away from things like open-toe shoes, ripped jeans, leather jackets, strapless tops, miniskirts, plunging necklines and anything neon,” she notes.
If you’re searching for some guidance on nailing your ‘hire me’ look, we’ve pulled together a guide to job interview dressing, complete with practical advice from an expert stylist.
To discover exactly how to dress, whatever the workplace, click through the slideshow ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
Keep It Classic
For those applying for a job in a corporate setting, sticking to the classics is always a good idea. “For business environments, think about suiting. A crisp, button-down white shirt with suit jacket and trousers is ideal,” says Ahooja, adding that a tailored skirt can also work as a good option.
Arket Relaxed Poplin Shirt, $, available at Arket
River Island Grey High Waisted Wide Leg Trousers, £40
River Island Grey High Waisted Wide Leg Trousers, $, available at River Island
Mango Straight-Fit Suit Jacket, £79.99
Mango Straight-Fit Suit Jacket, $, available at Mango
A Sophisticated Shoe
“For corporate job interviews, pumps are great but you can also wear stylish loafers, brogues or ballet flats,” Ahooja explains. The best way to pick out a perfect pair? Go for the failsafe neutral option. Ahooja recommends keeping colours to a minimum in the footwear department.
G.H.Bass Originals Weejuns Penny Loafers Black Leather, $, available at G. H. Bass & Co
Charles & Keith Buckle-Strap Heeled Mules, £65
Charles & Keith Buckle-Strap Heeled Mules, $, available at Charles & Keith
Sandy Liang Black Mary Jane Pointe Ballerina Flats, £525
Sandy Liang Black Mary Jane Pointe Ballerina Flats, $, available at SSENSE
Structured Jeans
When it comes to dressing for a more casual workplace, Ahooja says it’s all about striking the right balance between laid-back and put-together. “While you may want to pass on suiting, I wouldn’t show up in cargo trousers either,” she explains. “A shirt with a pair of clean, dark rinse jeans and a blazer is my preferred creative job interview outfit.”
Everlane The Curvy Way-High® Jean, $, available at Everlane
Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean, £75
Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Levi’s 501 Original Jeans, £100
Levi’s 501® Levi’s Original Jeans, $, available at Levi’s
No Shirt? No Problem
Not a fan of structured shirts? For a more creative workspace, Ahooja says that other types of smart tops can work perfectly well, too. “A silk blouse, fine knit or a fitted turtleneck with a long skirt would work nicely,” she explains. For those who would rather wear something more fitted on the bottom, wide-leg trousers can look equally smart.
Uniqlo 100% Extra Fine Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Jumper, $, available at Uniqlo
Zara Roll Neck Top With Faux Pearl Detail, £12.99
Zara Roll Neck Top With Faux Pearl Detail, $, available at Zara
& Other Stories Smocked Blouse, £57
& Other Stories Smocked Blouse, $, available at & Other Stories
Less Layers, More Fun
Don’t enjoy outfits that require matching lots of pieces together? Then why not go for a more all-in-one look? “A dress with a blazer would also be appropriate for a more casual job interview. You can brighten up the palette in this case, too, as colour is more appropriate in this setting,” Ahooja explains.
H&M Rib-knit Bodycon Dress, $, available at H&M
Reformation Willene Dress, £248
Reformation Willene Dress, $, available at Reformation
Reiss Freya Knitted Long Sleeve Midi Dress, £78
Reiss Freya Knitted Long Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Reiss
Back To Basics
If you’re only going to invest in one piece for your work wardrobe, it’s important to focus on versatility and frequency of wear. “A black blazer works for both a corporate or creative interview,” Ahooja explains, with the timelessness of the style making it a great capsule wardrobe investment.
Warehouse Double Crepe Longline Single Breasted Blazer, $, available at Warehouse
COS Knitted Waisted Blazer, £135
COS Knitted Waisted Blazer, $, available at COS
ASOS Design Exaggerated Shoulder Boxy Blazer, £60
ASOS DESIGN Exaggerated Shoulder Boxy Blazer, $, available at ASOS
Keeping It Clean
Putting together an outfit for a job interview may feel like it’s all about the clothes but it’s important to consider the entire look. “Clean clothes and nails are a must,” says Ahooja. “Also your hair! That’s definitely a key component of your overall appearance.” She notes how hairstyles can be a good way to show off your personal style.
Essie Ballet Slippers Nail Polish, $, available at Look Fantastic
Kitsch Large Loop Claw Clips, £10
Kitsch Large Loop Claw Clips, $, available at Kitsch
Anthropologie Sculptural Claw Hair Clip, £18
Anthropologie Sculptural Claw Hair Clip, $, available at Anthropologie
Upgrade Your Accessories
For those wanting to add even more personal touches to their look, Ahooja encourages making use of outfit add-ons. “You can put a bit of flair into the look with accessories but make sure they complement rather than overpower the outfit,” she explains. “Earrings, a scarf or the bag you choose are all excellent ways to convey your own style.”
Missoma Savi Dome Medium Gemstone Hoop Earrings, $, available at Missoma
UO Triangle Neck Scarf, £12
Urban Outfitters UO Triangle Neck Scarf, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Ganni Red Small Bou Bag, £345
Ganni Red Small Bou Bag, $, available at Ganni
It’s All About YOU
In the end, regardless of what type of workplace you are dressing for, there’s one key thing that will make all the difference to your outfit. “Your personality is a big part of your style so it’s important to make sure whatever you wear is ‘you’,” Ahooja emphasises. “Make sure you’re comfortable in what you’ve chosen and that it makes you feel confident. The way you carry the outfit matters and is just as important as the outfit itself.”
COS Crossbody Saddle Bag, $, available at COS
Karen Millen Tailored Crepe Detachable Layered Skirt Detail Trousers, £75
Karen Millen Tailored Crepe Detachable Layered Skirt Detail Trousers, $, available at KAREN MILLEN
Blank NYC Show Business Blazer, £88
Blank NYC Show Business Blazer, $, available at Free People
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