Workwear: Interview dressing

Personal development / 07 October 2011

The prospect of a job interview is stressful enough without worrying about what you’re going to wear. Fiona Campbell shares her top tips on professional interview outfits

The old adage “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” couldn’t be more apt than when going for a job interview. Your CV has pushed all the right buttons and you’ve successfully passed the application stage, so now it’s your chance to shine in person. It’s a crucial juncture on the path to career progression, and it goes without saying that careful preparation when selecting appropriate interview attire can play a key part in landing the job.

Achieving the right look for your interview can be tricky, especially as what you should wear depends on the type of organisation you are being interviewed for. A standard interview outfit consists of a suit, shirt or blouse, tie and smart shoes, but for some companies the suited and booted approach isn’t appropriate and a more casual sartorial style is more fitting.

The best approach is to dress in a way that reflects the company’s culture. You can ask about the company dress code before the interview to ensure you’re not off the mark.

Invest in yourself

The first rule of thumb when planning what to wear for your interview is, if your interview outfit is more than a couple of years old, it’s probably time to upgrade to a new one. Black should be black, not a washed-out grey. Regardless of the role or company, tired and faded clothes look scruffy and are a definite interview faux pas.

Dresses can also work at interview but will need structure and should always cover the shoulder. Bright colours, patterns and anything too low-cut or sexy, like red, should be avoided. Banana Republic is a good port of call for a conservative yet stylishly cut dress.

Fiona Campbell

When preparing for an interview for a senior management role, it is important to look the part. For men, a well-tailored suit and tie that reflects the status of the position you are being interviewed for will instantly create the right impression. 

Your suit need not be bespoke, but a good fit is essential. Ill-fitting, oversized jackets and trousers give the impression of a 16-year-old schoolboy on work experience. However, avoid anything that is too tight and opt for a traditional straight-cut trouser leg over bootcut. When it comes to ties, skinny, novelty or anything too loud are a definite no-no, so think TM Lewin or M&S rather than that trendy number in your wardrobe.

If a visit to Savile Row is out of your budget and timeframe, Austin Reed has a good selection of suits appropriate for interviews in a range of styles to fit your profile, including slim-fit, classic and contemporary. Its Regent Street flagship store also offers a comprehensive alterations service, from shortening or lengthening trousers to re-lining suit jackets. Meanwhile, on the high street, M&S has a range of affordable suits and shirts.

For women, either a trouser suit or skirt suit is appropriate. Ideally a uniform navy, grey or black is best in a formal interview, rather than bright colours. Check out Debenhams and Jigsaw for mix-and-match separates.
When selecting a skirt, it is important to err on the side of caution when it comes to length; make sure it is at least knee length and not too figure hugging. Pleated skirts and below-the-knee styles were key trends in the autumn/winter collections on this year’s catwalks; Monsoon and French Connection both have black pleated skirts in their autumn range or, if you’re looking for something with a softer, more feminine edge, try Hobbs.
If you choose a suit, try to couple it with a light, airy blouse rather than a stiff shirt, which can look look a tad on the severe side. A simple white or neutral-coloured top is also fine. If you’re wearing pinstripe, opt for light and subtle lines rather than bold white stripes.

Dresses can also work at interview but will need structure and should always cover the shoulder. Bright colours, patterns and anything too low-cut or sexy, like red, should be avoided. Banana Republic is a good port of call for a conservative yet stylishly cut dress.

The casual office

Businesses that have a casual dress code are perhaps the trickiest when getting your interview look right. For this type of interview, a smart, coordinated outfit is more appropriate than a suit. However, do bear in mind that this is not an opportunity to dress down – jeans are rarely suitable.

For men, a clean, pattern-free shirt and trousers without a tie or jacket is fine. As a general rule, avoid chinos and opt for a pair of suit trousers instead. Good places to shop for an on-trend selection of interview staples include Reiss and Ted Baker.

If a suit is deemed unnecessary, a smart coat or blazer is recommended for both men and women. There is a range of high street takes on the countryside tweeds and mixed-knit textures seen on the Burberry Prorsum, Pringle and Mulberry autumn/winter 2011 catwalks. M&S Blue Harbour has the perfect English gent-look tweed blazer.

Continuing the outdoorsy theme, try a tweed or fawn textured pencil skirt, as seen in Next’s seasonal collection, paired with a silk coloured blouse in a neutral shade to provide a casual alternative to the trouser suit. Olive, navy blue, wine, mustard, burnt orange and pink are all on-trend colours this season.