Interview dress is less complicated than most people make it, but it's still worth thinking about. Clothes won't get you the job, but the wrong outfit can create an impression problem you spend the rest of the interview overcoming. The goal is to look pulled together and appropriate without your clothes being the most memorable thing about you.

The simple rule

Dress one level up from the company's everyday dress code. If the company is casual (jeans and t-shirts), wear smart casual. If the company is smart casual, wear business casual. If the company is business professional, wear your sharpest business professional. When you're unsure of the company dress code, go business casual as a safe default for most industries.

What to wear by industry

Finance, law, consulting, and corporate

These industries still expect business formal or professional in interviews, even if day-to-day dress is more relaxed. For men: suit, dress shirt, and tie. For women: a tailored suit, dress with a blazer, or tailored trousers with a blouse. Dark, classic colours: navy, grey, charcoal.

Technology and startups

Smart casual is usually right. Neat jeans and a quality shirt or blouse, or chinos and a polo shirt. A blazer is optional and often signals you're taking it seriously without overdressing. Avoid anything with slogans or loud graphics. Clean shoes matter here.

Creative industries, media, and design

Here you have more latitude to express personality through clothes. Smart but with a point of view is the right target. Looking creative and considered is fine. Showing up in a full suit may signal that you don't understand the culture.

Healthcare and education

Business casual is usually the right call: a neat dress shirt or blouse, clean trousers or a smart dress. Nothing too formal, nothing too casual. Clean and tidy above everything.

Quick guide: how to find out the dress code
  • Look at the company's social media photos from events or team pages
  • Ask the recruiter directly: "Could you tell me about the dress code in the office?"
  • Check Glassdoor for mentions of culture and dress
  • If still unsure: business casual for tech/creative, business professional for finance/law
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What to wear for video interviews

The same dress code principles apply for video interviews. Don't make the mistake of wearing a professional top and pyjama bottoms: you may need to stand up to fix a tech issue and the visual is unrecoverable. Dress fully, at least from the waist up.

On camera, solid colours read better than fine patterns (which can create moiré). Avoid white if your background is also light. Navy, grey, blue, and muted tones all look well on camera.

What to avoid in every situation

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Frequently asked questions

Can I wear the same outfit to multiple interviews?
Yes, if it's at different companies. If you're going back to the same company for a second round with the same interviewers, wear something slightly different. Having two solid interview outfits is better than having one perfect one and stressing about washing and pressing it between rounds.
Does it matter if I'm overdressed?
A little overdressed is far better than a little underdressed. The risk of overdressing is looking slightly formal. The risk of underdressing is looking like you didn't take the interview seriously. When in doubt, err towards more professional.
What should I wear to an interview at a very casual company?
Still dress one level up from what you observe employees wearing day-to-day. If the company wears jeans and hoodies, wear dark jeans and a clean, plain sweatshirt or blouse. Looking intentionally well-dressed is different from looking out of place: the goal is neat and thoughtful, not stuffy.
How important is grooming compared to clothing?
Both matter. A great outfit with unkempt hair or nails creates the same impression as a great haircut in wrinkled clothes. Interview prep includes personal grooming: haircut if needed, clean nails, clean shoes. These details signal that you pay attention to the details, which is what most roles require.