What to wear to an interview depends on where you're interviewing. The safe rule: dress one step smarter than the people who already work there, make sure everything fits and is clean, and choose clothes you can forget about once you sit down. This guide gives outfit ideas for women and men in each type of workplace, what to wear on video, and what to avoid.
What to wear to an interview at a glance
| Workplace | Dress code to aim for | Women (examples) | Men (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law, finance, consulting, senior or client-facing roles | Business formal | Trouser or skirt suit, or a dress with a blazer; closed shoes | Suit, shirt, optional tie; leather shoes |
| Most offices, public sector, healthcare admin, education | Business casual | Tailored trousers or a knee-length skirt with a blouse or fine knit; optional blazer | Chinos or smart trousers, collared shirt or knit; optional blazer |
| Tech, start-ups, creative agencies | Smart casual | Dark jeans or trousers, a neat top or shirt, a jacket or cardigan | Dark jeans or chinos, a shirt or plain knit, clean shoes |
| Retail, hospitality, warehouse, trades | Neat casual | Clean trousers or dark jeans, a plain top, comfortable closed shoes | Clean trousers or dark jeans, a polo or plain shirt, clean shoes |
These are starting points. Wear what's appropriate to the role and what you're comfortable in, including religious or cultural dress.
How do you find out the dress code before an interview?
Ask, or look. Most people are happy to tell you.
- Ask the recruiter or the person who booked the interview: "What's the dress code for the team?" is a normal question.
- Look at the employer's website and social media: team photos, careers pages and event pictures show what people actually wear.
- Think about the role: a client-facing role is usually dressed smarter than an internal one at the same company.
If you still don't know, go one level smarter than your best guess.
Outfit sorted? Now prepare for what they will ask you to do
Practise a simulation of the real tasks in your target role, see where you lost marks, and go in confident about more than your clothes. Free to start, no card.
What should a woman wear to an interview?
Choose a combination that's polished and comfortable, then match its formality to the workplace.
Business formal (examples):
- A trouser suit or skirt suit in navy, black, grey or another muted colour
- A tailored dress with a blazer
- A plain blouse or shell top underneath
- Closed shoes, flats or a low heel you can walk in
Business casual (examples):
- Tailored trousers or a knee-length skirt
- A blouse, shirt or fine-knit jumper
- A blazer or structured cardigan
- Loafers, flats or ankle boots
Smart casual (examples):
- Dark, well-fitting jeans or trousers
- A plain top, shirt or knit
- A jacket or cardigan
- Clean trainers can work in some tech and creative offices if the team wears them
Tips: keep jewellery simple, check that skirts and dresses are comfortable when you sit, and carry a bag big enough for a folder of documents.
What should a man wear to an interview?
The same principle applies: polished, comfortable, matched to the workplace.
Business formal (examples):
- A suit in navy, charcoal or grey that fits through the shoulders
- A plain or subtly patterned shirt
- A tie if the industry still wears them
- Polished leather shoes and a matching belt
Business casual (examples):
- Chinos or smart trousers
- A collared shirt, or a plain knit over a shirt
- An optional blazer
- Leather shoes, loafers or smart boots
Smart casual (examples):
- Dark jeans or chinos
- A plain shirt, polo or knit
- Clean, simple shoes or trainers if the team wears them
Tips: make sure shirts are ironed, trousers are the right length, and shoes are clean.
What should you wear to a video interview?
Dress as you would in person, at least from the waist up, and think about how it looks on camera.
- Solid colours work better than tight stripes or busy patterns, which can flicker on screen.
- Avoid colours that match your background, so you don't blend into the wall.
- Wear the whole outfit. You may need to stand up, and it helps you feel ready.
- Check your light. A light source in front of you, not behind you.
- Test it. Open your camera beforehand and look at yourself as the interviewer will.
What should you wear to an interview for a casual job?
Clean, neat and practical. For retail, hospitality, warehouse or trade roles, you don't need a suit, and turning up in one can look out of step with the job. Aim for clean trousers or dark jeans, a plain top or polo, and comfortable closed shoes. If the interview includes a trial shift or practical task, ask what to wear for it.
What should you not wear to an interview?
Anything that distracts from you or makes you uncomfortable.
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Clothes that don't fit or need constant adjusting | You'll fidget and lose focus |
| Strong perfume or aftershave | Some people are sensitive to it, especially in small rooms |
| Large logos or slogans | They pull attention away from what you say |
| Very casual items (sportswear, flip-flops) unless the job calls for them | They can read as not taking the interview seriously |
| Brand-new shoes you haven't walked in | Sore feet don't help |
| Creased or stained clothes | Small details get noticed |
What colours are best for an interview?
Navy, grey, black, white and muted tones are safe for formal and business casual interviews. A colour you like, in a top, tie or scarf, is fine and can help you feel like yourself. In creative fields, a little more personality in your outfit is usually welcome.
What to wear to an interview checklist
The day before:
- Outfit chosen, tried on, and comfortable to sit in
- Clothes clean and ironed
- Shoes clean and broken in
- Bag packed with copies of your CV or resume, notes and anything they asked you to bring
- A backup top in case of spills, if you're travelling far
For the full prep plan, including what to bring and how to practise, see how to prepare for an interview.
Does what you wear really matter?
It matters less than what you say and what you can show you can do, but it's the first thing people see. Get it right and nobody thinks about it again, which is the goal. Spend most of your prep time on your answers: tell me about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and stories in STAR order.
If the role involves practical work, practise that too. You can try a job simulation of the real tasks in your target role on Cohesyve and get a scored report on where you lost marks.
FAQs
Is it OK to wear jeans to an interview?
At casual workplaces, tech companies and many start-ups, dark, clean, well-fitting jeans are usually fine. For formal or client-facing roles, wear trousers or a suit.
Do I need to wear a suit to an interview?
Only if the workplace is formal, the role is senior or client-facing, or the recruiter suggests it. For most office jobs, business casual is enough.
What should I wear to an interview if I'm on a budget?
One pair of dark, well-fitting trousers, a plain shirt or blouse and clean shoes cover most interviews. Charity and second-hand shops are a good place to look for a blazer. It's also worth asking your local job centre or careers service whether any interview clothing help runs near you.
Can I wear religious or cultural dress to an interview?
Yes. Wear what you would wear at work, styled to the same level of formality as the rest of your outfit.
What should I wear to a second interview?
The same level of formality as the first. If you learned the dress code at the first interview, match it, still slightly smart.