“It’s almost time for my job interview and I don’t know what to wear to an interview!?!?” Is this you? If so, you’ll constantly hear one piece of advice: It’s always better to overdress than underdress.
And that’s true. But it’s not really helpful. So, to help you choose what to wear to a job interview, I’m going to talk about 10 professional interview outfits for women. I’m going to focus on one clothing piece and help you style it for success. Let’s go!
Read More: What To Wear To A Career Fair On Campus – Tips To Stand Out
Why It Matters What You Wear to an Interview
OK, before I start helping you choose an outfit, it’s first important to know why dressing up is crucial. You might be thinking, “It’s 2024, I can wear whatever I want.”
Yes, but whether you get the job or not depends on the interviewer – and you don’t know how they’re going to perceive you if you arrive in overly casual outfits. A recruiter shared this on Reddit:
I could not care less. However, I have had colleagues who will nitpick on every little thing, how clean and neat someone looks, how professional someone appears, etc. You never know what type you’d get as an interviewer, so I’d air on the conservative side.
Here are other reasons why it’s best to dress for an interview:
- It gives a good first impression. Here’s a stat that proves this: Appearance makes up 55% of first impressions. So the moment an interviewer sees you, they will assess you from what you’re wearing. You don’t want them to have any negative judgments about you in the first second you meet.
- It produces confidence. In a job interview, you need all the confidence to answer questions and stand out. So you need to do whatever it takes to muster your confidence, and dressing up for the occasion can make you feel and look poised, intellectual, and confident.
- It reflects your professionalism. It also reflects your attention to detail. In turn, these hint that you’re capable of representing the company well in front of clients, customers, or stakeholders.
- It shows respect and thoughtfulness. Here’s how Kim Perell, a CEO and Author of two best-selling business books, puts it:
Showing your interviewer you put time and attention into your attire proves you’re serious about the job and demonstrates an understanding of office culture
Putting Together 10 Professional Interview Outfits for Women
Here are the 10 pieces we’ll be styling for interview attire for women:
- Two-piece suit
- Blazer
- Tailored shirt
- Blouse
- Dress pants
- Skirt
- Dress
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Bag
1. Two-piece suit
If you’re being interviewed for a corporate job, then the dress code is usually formal or business formal. For that, I suggest going for a two-piece suit.
Now, you don’t want to be too fancy. Simple and classic does the trick. This is why the best colors are black, navy blue, or beige. Pair it with a white tailored shirt and you’re ready to WOW the interviewer with your business attire (and confidence).
Instagram @mandela_jr_ladies_suits
Let’s say you’re being interviewed for a more business casual job. It’s more acceptable to add some flare by going for a two-piece suit with a bold color. Just don’t go crazy as you don’t want your outfit to distract from the main purpose – showing you’re the best candidate for the job.
Instagram @vanya.pk
2. Blazer
Blazers are always a good idea if you’re looking for ways to improve your overall look. Even if you just wear a shirt, a blazer will give it a professional look.
However, your blazer should match what you wear under it. So if you go for a bold, solid color or patterned blazer, it’s best to wear a plain, neutral color blouse or button-down shirt underneath, and vice versa.
Instagram @sumissura
Of course, you can choose to go for a top and blazer combo with the same color or all neutral colors.
Instagram @feminine.shop.al
If you don’t have a blazer, you can go for a formal jacket or cardigan. Dave Fano, the Founder and CEO of TEAL, says:
Wearing a jacket of some sort gives a more professional feel, even while still wearing jeans.
Read More: 8 Casual Job Interview Outfits for Women to Make a Good Impression
3. Tailored shirt
To look extra professional, go for a tailored shirt as much as possible. Salva Jovells from the made-to-measure clothing company Sumissura says:
A white or light-colored tailored shirt is a necessary piece for your interview outfit.
Because this is tailored just for you, it will be super well-fitted for your figure and shape. And when something is a perfect fit, it will give off professionalism. Meanwhile, a loose or baggy top can look too casual for a job interview.
Instagram @sumissura
4. Blouse
For the most part, you’d probably pick out a blouse when deciding what to wear for an interview. That’s totally acceptable. But once again, don’t go overboard with it.
You don’t want to wear a blouse with too many patterns. That’s distracting. You also don’t want to wear an overly casual blouse. You don’t want it to be see-through or low-cut, either.
So what do you want? Well, to make the best impression, keep your blouse simple and classy.
Instagram @dillyandcarlo
One more thing. Blouse or shirt? Blouse is the top choice. But if you only have shirts available, then you can cover it up with a nice blazer. If it’s too warm for a blazer, look for a plain shirt with high-quality material.
5. Dress pants
What do you wear with your top? If you’re doing pants, then dress pants are the most formal option.
If you want it to match, you can either choose the same color as your blazer or top (to make it look like a two-piece suit) or make sure it’s neutral-on-neutral or neutral-with-bold. Always remember that rule of thumb.
Instagram @lifewithjazz
There’s nothing wrong with formal trousers, too, if you style them well with your other outfit ideas.
Instagram @lifewithjazz
What about jeans? You should avoid wearing them since those are a big NO-NO. One manager shared his take on Quora:
As a manager, if someone came to an interview wearing denim, or anything too casual, I’d take a long, hard look at their CVs, hoping for something that really stands out.
Read More: “I Only Have Jeans for an Interview!”: What You Need to Know
6. Skirt
If you’re a skirt girl, then the most professional-looking skirt is a pencil skirt. And just like the pants, you should follow the same-color, neutral-on-neutral, or neutral-with-bold color schemes.
Instagram @treatingthestreetslikearunway
OK, there are a few things about skirts that you should consider. One, you don’t want it to be too sexy. If you want to wear the best job interview outfits, you must dress appropriately in a knee-length skirt.
You should also avoid overly flashy and trendy skirts. High slits, puffy skirts, flashy patterns, bold prints, or overly trendy details are too much. I sound like a broken record – but I’ll keep repeating it anyway – you should go with modest, simple, and classic.
7. Dress
If you don’t want to worry about matching tops and bottoms, you can wear a dress. Now, when I say formal attire, I’m not talking about gowns. You’re not attending an event – it’s a job interview.
On the other hand, summery dresses might be a bit too casual, especially if the company culture and dress code are more conservative. So what type of dress should you wear to make a great first impression?
I’d go for a semi-formal, sleeved, and knee-length dress. If you want an even more polished look, you can wear a dress with a blazer. Again, nothing too flashy or trendy.
Instagram @dress_islandchinelo
8. Shoes
Let’s move on to your shoes. If you want to dress professionally, then get rid of the sneakers. If you can help it, get rid of any open-toed shoes as well. No one needs to see your toes.
Read More: Is It OK to Wear Open-Toe Shoes to an Interview? Everything You Need to Know
That’s what NOT to wear if you want to err on the side of caution. So what are the best interview shoes to complete your formal attire? Heels and formal flats.
You can make the color match with one piece of your outfit. So say you wear a blue top, you can wear blue shoes. Or, you can go for a neutral color that will blend with the overall outfit.
Now, when it comes to heels and flats, there are some tips on what to wear. Don’t make it too fancy. Stilettos might have more of a party look than a professional one. Flats overloaded with adornment or glitter are too striking.
Instead, opt for simple, casual heels and flats.
Instagram @shoe_street_online
Instagram @french_sole
9. Jewelry
It’s time to accessorize! One mistake that many people make is to wear a plain outfit but go crazy with the jewelry. That’s not a good idea.
In fact, if you want to add a touch of professionalism, you should minimize your jewelry. Here’s how Salva Jovells of Sumissura puts it:
Accessories should be understated. Opt for simple, minimal jewelry that won’t catch the light or jingle during your interview. Remember, the focus should be on you and your qualifications, not your accessories.
My advice is to pick one type of jewelry and nothing else. So decide which one it will be – earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, a ring, or a watch. If you have visible body jewelry, it’s best to remove it.
Instagram @_cutelittlethings_zm
10. Bag
Following the advice from our expert Salva Jovells, the best type of bag to bring to a job interview is either a purse or briefcase. These are slightly more formal than a sling bag or handbag.
Of course, it should compliment your whole fit. Here are some ways to match a purse/briefcase with a company’s dress code during the interview process.
Instagram @timi.egypt
If the interview room has a more casual dress code, here is how you can style your purse with your best casual look.
Instagram @lifewithjazz
And here’s how to match a briefcase.
Instagram @bostantenshop
Final Words
Want to make a positive first impression? Then go ahead and get inspiration from the 10 professional interview outfits for women. You can keep it neutral and classy.
If you feel like that’s too boring and you want to reflect your personality a bit more, then you can mix and match neutrals with bold colors.
Now, when dressing for a job interview as a female, the most important thing to remember is that you’re not there for a fashion show – you’re there to get a job.
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