Interview Dress Codes Explained

When interviewing for an internship or job, first impressions are everything. That first look can make or break you before you even shake the interviewer’s hand. Dress codes for interviews can easily become overwhelming because of the many different varieties, and to make matters more difficult, businesses everywhere are evolving their dress codes from the traditional suit or dress. But don’t worry, once you get the basics covered for each style of interview though, it is very easy to add your own flair and style in order to convey a little bit about your personality! 

Business Professional Interview 

If you are interviewing at a traditional, corporate level business, professional attire is your safest bet. This is going to be the most formal of all the interview dress codes. 

For men, this means a solid colored suit, typically gray, black, or navy, a white or color coordinated long sleeve dress shirt, a tie, a leather belt, dark socks, and leather shoes. When it comes to accessories, try to avoid lots of jewelry. 

For women, there are more options than men tend to have. Like men, women are able to wear a neutral colored suit, but it can be a pantsuit or a skirt-suit, whichever you prefer. If you do choose a skirt, ensure that it is knee length or just above. For shirts, wear a blouse that is coordinated with the suit. Wear more conservative shoes, but try to stick to a comfortable heel rather than a flat. Limit the amount of jewelry worn, and do not use any big, standout pieces. 

Business Casual Interview 

For places of work that are less formal, business casual is going to be your go to. It is a lot less strict than professional attire, but you should still avoid wearing jeans or distracting colors.

For men, business casual typically means a collared shirt and dress pants. You can leave the full suit at home, but a jacket and tie are still in the mix, depending on your preference. If you are not feeling a jacket, a dressy sweater is also an option. This should be paired with dress shoes and a nice belt. 

For women, business casual has many options as well. You can stick to trousers or a skirt and pair it with a strong button up or dressy blouse. A nice, tailored dress is also a good candidate. When thinking of shoes, try to stick to closed toe shoes, whether it be heels, loafers, or flats. 

Startup Casual Interview 

Casual interviews are extremely uncommon, and it does not mean sloppy. It is still best to show up overdressed rather than underdressed. You can wear denim to this kind of interview, but it is recommended to stick to dark denim with no holes or tears. 

For men, this can mean pairing a dark denim with a casual button up. Even though it is casual, make sure to wear a collared shirt to show you are still put together. Dress shoes are still accepted, but dressy sneakers can also be worn. Overall, just make sure you still look clean and crisp, rather than inattentive and too casual. 

For women, jeans are also accepted, but make sure they are good fit and tailored for your frame. I recommend pairing jeans with a nice blouse, in order to still show some sophistication. The top should be dressier in order to counteract the casualness of denim. When it comes to accessories, once again, minimal is best. You can wear more fun pieces in a casual style interview, but make sure they are not too flashy.

Hopefully these tips will make you feel calm and confident going in your interview, and you can let your personality shine!!