By JJ van Vuuren May 14, 2025

What to Wear to an Interview: Complete 2025 Style Guide

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Your qualifications get you the interview, but your appearance plays a significant role in the impression you make. According to research by Princeton University, people form judgments about your competence, trustworthiness, and confidence within the first 100 milliseconds of seeing you—before you've said a single word.

This complete guide will help you navigate interview dress codes across different industries and settings, ensuring your appearance reinforces rather than distracts from your qualifications.

While your responses to interview questions are crucial (which you can perfect with AI-powered tools like Intellerview), your appearance creates that vital first impression that sets the tone for everything that follows.

The Universal Rules of Interview Attire

Regardless of industry or dress code, these fundamental principles apply to all interview settings:

• Cleanliness and neatness are non-negotiable. Well-pressed clothes, polished shoes, and groomed appearance demonstrate attention to detail.
• When in doubt, dress one step more formally than the everyday dress code for the role.
• Comfort matters. Choose outfits that fit well and don't require constant adjustment.
• Minimize distractions. Subtle accessories and understated styles keep the focus on your qualifications.
• Test your outfit in advance to identify any issues with fit, transparency, or wardrobe malfunctions.

According to a survey of 2,000 hiring managers, 65% said they've made negative hiring decisions based on a candidate's appearance, with inappropriate attire cited as the most common issue.

Understanding Different Dress Codes

Interview attire expectations vary significantly by industry, company culture, and role. Here's how to decode typical dress codes:

Business Formal

Industries: Banking, finance, law, consulting, government

For men:

• Well-fitted suit in navy, charcoal, or dark gray
• Conservative dress shirt (white or light blue preferred)
• Coordinated tie in subtle pattern or solid color
• Polished dress shoes with matching belt
• Minimal accessories (simple watch, wedding ring if applicable)

For women:

• Tailored suit or coordinated blazer and dress pants/skirt
• Modest blouse in solid color or subtle pattern
• Closed-toe heels (2-3 inches) or polished flats
• Simple jewelry and minimal makeup
• Neutral hosiery if wearing a skirt

Business Professional

Industries: Insurance, real estate, accounting, healthcare administration

For men:

• Suit or blazer with dress pants
• Button-down shirt (wider range of colors acceptable)
• Tie (can be more expressive than business formal)
• Dress shoes with coordinated belt

For women:

• Tailored suit, dress with blazer, or coordinated separates
• Professional blouse or shell top
• Closed or peep-toe shoes with moderate heel or flats
• Understated accessories that complement the outfit

Business Casual

Industries: Education, marketing, retail management, non-profit

For men:

• Dress pants or chinos
• Button-down shirt or high-quality polo
• Optional blazer or sport coat
• Dress shoes or well-maintained loafers

For women:

• Tailored pants or knee-length skirt
• Blouse, sweater, or button-down shirt
• Optional blazer or cardigan
• Closed-toe shoes, flats, or modest heels

Casual or Creative

Industries: Tech, creative agencies, startups, media

For men:

• Well-fitted dark jeans (no rips) or chinos
• Button-down or high-quality untucked shirt
• Clean, stylish footwear (leather sneakers, desert boots)
• Optional jacket depending on company style

For women:

• Dark jeans (no rips), dress pants, or knee-length skirt
• Blouse, quality t-shirt, or sweater
• Stylish flats, ankle boots, or clean fashion sneakers
• Tasteful accessories that show personality

Industry-Specific Considerations

Technology and Startups

The tech industry is known for its casual approach, but research shows that "dressing down" too much can still hurt your chances. A study of tech hiring managers found that while most don't expect formal attire, 68% reported that candidates who wore overly casual clothing (like shorts or flip-flops) created a negative impression.

Best approach: Aim for "smart casual" – polished but not stuffy. Think dark jeans with a button-down shirt and clean sneakers, or chinos with a quality sweater. For women, a simple dress with a jean jacket or dark jeans with a blouse strikes the right balance.

Finance and Banking

Conservative industries still maintain relatively formal dress expectations. A survey of financial sector recruiters found that 84% expect candidates to wear suits to interviews, even if the workplace itself has adopted a more casual daily dress code.

Best approach: Err on the side of formality with a well-tailored suit in navy or charcoal. Keep accessories and personal style elements minimal and sophisticated.

Creative Fields

In advertising, design, media, and other creative industries, your outfit can demonstrate your creativity and aesthetic sensibility. However, research shows that 71% of creative directors still expect a level of professionalism in interview attire.

Best approach: Incorporate personality and style while maintaining professionalism. Consider a classic base with interesting accessories, textures, or tasteful pops of color that showcase your aesthetic awareness.

Gender-Neutral Dressing Considerations

Modern interview attire is increasingly moving beyond traditional gender norms. If you prefer gender-neutral clothing options:

• Focus on well-fitted, tailored pieces regardless of which department they come from
• Suits, button-downs, blazers, and dress pants work well across gender presentations
• Professional footwear like Oxfords, loafers, and Chelsea boots are versatile options
• Simple, clean lines and quality fabrics matter more than gendered styles

The most important factor is wearing clothing that makes you feel confident and authentic while meeting the professional expectations of the role.

How to Research Company Dress Codes

Knowing the specific expectations of your target company increases your confidence and demonstrates cultural fit. Here's how to research effectively:

1. Check the company website and social media: Look for team photos, about us pages, and event pictures
2. Review employee LinkedIn profiles: Note what current employees wear in their professional photos
3. Ask your network: Connect with current or former employees if possible
4. Contact your recruiter or hiring manager: It's perfectly acceptable to ask directly about dress expectations
5. Visit the office area: If possible, observe employees entering/exiting the building

Even after research, apply the rule of dressing one step more formally than the everyday dress code. A candidate who's slightly overdressed shows respect for the opportunity; one who's underdressed may appear careless or unprepared.

Virtual Interview Attire Considerations

With 62% of hiring managers using video interviews as part of their process in 2025, virtual interview attire requires special attention. Studies show that on-screen appearances can be just as impactful as in-person first impressions.

Key considerations:

• Dress professionally from head to toe even though only your upper body may be visible (you might need to stand unexpectedly)
• Avoid distracting patterns and colors that may vibrate or distort on camera (small checks, herringbone patterns, bright red)
• Choose solid, moderately saturated colors that complement your skin tone and look good on camera
• Pay attention to your neckline since that's what will be most visible
• Test your outfit on camera before the interview to check how it appears

For virtual interviews, colors like navy blue, soft blue, burgundy, and medium gray typically read well on camera while projecting competence and trustworthiness.

Outfit-Destroying Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most carefully chosen outfit can be undermined by these common mistakes:

• Poor fit: Clothes that are too tight, too loose, or the wrong length appear unprofessional
• Excessive fragrance: Strong scents can be distracting or trigger sensitivities
• Visible wrinkles: Wrinkled clothing suggests poor attention to detail
• Inappropriate footwear: Scuffed, worn, or overly casual shoes can undermine an otherwise professional look
• Distracting accessories: Noisy jewelry, oversized watches, or statement pieces that draw attention away from your message
• Visible brand logos: Large or prominent logos can appear unprofessional in formal settings

According to a survey of hiring managers, 76% said they notice a candidate's shoes, with 80% of those indicating that poorly maintained footwear negatively impacted their impression of the candidate.

Investment Pieces Worth the Cost

While building a professional wardrobe can be expensive, certain key pieces offer excellent return on investment for interview attire:

• A well-tailored blazer in navy or black that can be dressed up or down
• Quality dress shoes that are comfortable and durable
• A professional bag or portfolio to carry your materials
• A versatile, classic watch that works across dress codes
• Tailoring services to ensure perfect fit of key garments

Consider these investments in your career rather than just clothing expenses. Many professionals report that proper interview attire boosts their confidence and improves their performance during the interview process.

Quick Checklist Before You Go

Use this final checklist the night before your interview:

• Outfit is clean, pressed, and properly tailored
• All buttons, zippers, and closures function properly
• Shoes are polished and in good condition
• Accessories are subtle and professional
• Nails are clean and well-groomed
• Hair is neat and styled appropriately
• Backup outfit components are available (extra shirt, tie, etc.)
• Interview outfit has been tried on in full and feels comfortable

The Future of Interview Attire

While interview dress codes continue to evolve, particularly with the rise of remote work and more casual workplace environments, the fundamental principle remains: your appearance should communicate professionalism and attention to detail.

Workplace researchers analyzing interview outcomes have found that candidates who dress appropriately for the specific company culture are 37% more likely to receive positive evaluations, even when qualifications are identical. This underscores the importance of researching and preparing your interview attire with the same care you dedicate to preparing your responses.

New platforms like Intellerview are beginning to incorporate dress code guidance into their interview preparation offerings, recognizing that comprehensive interview preparation includes not just what you say but how you present yourself. By analyzing specific company cultures and industry norms, these tools can provide tailored guidance to help candidates make the right impression with both their words and their appearance.

Final Thoughts

Your interview attire is an important tool in communicating your professionalism, attention to detail, and understanding of the company culture. By following the guidelines in this article and conducting appropriate research before each interview, you can ensure your appearance reinforces rather than detracts from your qualifications.

To ensure you're fully prepared for your next interview, from your outfit to your answers, tools like Intellerview offer comprehensive preparation that addresses all aspects of interview success. Their AI-powered practice sessions can help you build confidence while their industry-specific guidance ensures you'll look and sound the part.

Remember that while appearance matters, it's ultimately about removing potential barriers to the interviewer's assessment of your skills and experience. The best interview outfit is one that makes you feel confident while allowing your qualifications to be the star of the conversation.