What to Wear to an Interview (And What Not to Wear to an Interview)

Key takeaways

• What to wear to an interview can depend on the industry and role you're applying for, however, you're always expected to wear clean, unwrinkled, presentable clothing.

• A few examples of what not to wear to an interview include graphic t-shirts, cargo shorts, spaghetti strap tank tops, flip flops, baseball caps, sneakers, jean shorts, and mini-skirts.

• Interview outfits for women and men typically consist of dress pants, slacks, chinos and knee-length or midi skirts, paired with button-up shirts or blouses and closed-toe shoes. Depending on the workplace, a blazer or suit jacket may elevate your interview outfit as well.

Learn more about how to decide what to wear for an interview in the following article. Afterward, you can practice acing interview questions, successfully negotiating your salary, accepting or declining a job offer, and more with the University of Maryland's online course, Advanced Interviewing Techniques, part of the Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialization.

What to wear to an interview

Interview outfits should be clean, wrinkle-free, well-fitting, and professional. For most interviews, appropriate options include:

• Blazer

• Cardigan

• Tailored trousers

• Chinos

• Button-down shirt

• Blouse

• Fine-knit sweater

• Knee-length or midi skirt

• Closed-toe flats, loafers, low heels, or polished dress shoes

Fabrics that work well for interviews include structured knit fabrics that hold their shape and look neat, including:

• Cotton poplin

• Wool

• Ponte

• Crepe

• Twill

• Structured knit fabrics that hold their shape and look neat.

Your outfit should also reflect the workplace and role you are applying for. A corporate office may call for a suit or blazer with tailored separates, while a more casual workplace may be fine with chinos or tailored pants and a blouse, knit top, or collared shirt.

What color to wear to an interview

For an interview, it is usually best to choose colors that look polished, professional, and not distracting. Good options include navy, black, gray, white, beige, soft blue, burgundy, forest green, and other muted or subtle tones that are easy to style and tend to look good both in person and on camera. Solid colors or simple patterns usually work better than loud prints and neon shades. The goal is to choose shades that feel neat, intentional, and appropriate for the setting.

If you are interviewing for a creative or fashion role, you can usually show more personality in your clothing and color choices, but your outfit should still look polished and intentional. Bolder colors, modern silhouettes, and more distinctive styling can work well in these industries, as long as the overall look is neat, well-fitting, and appropriate for the company. Even in creative settings, it is best to avoid anything overly revealing or so dramatic that it overshadows your interview.

What to wear to an online interview

Whether the interview is in person or on Zoom, the same standard applies: wear professional clothing from head to toe, since your appearance still contributes to your overall presentation. Stick to solid or subtle patterns, neutral or muted colors, and simple accessories, and avoid graphic T-shirts, athletic wear, ripped jeans, flip-flops, or anything extremely low-cut, tight, or short.

Read more: Zoom Interview Tips

What to wear to an informal interview

For an informal interview, still aim for polished business-casual clothing. Good options include tailored pants, a blouse or collared shirt, a simple sweater, loafers, flats, or other clean, polished shoes. Even if current employees dress more casually, it is usually best to appear slightly more formal to show respect for the opportunity and make a strong impression. Your outfit should look neat, well-fitting, and intentional rather than overly relaxed.

What not to wear to an interview

Interview clothing should never look sloppy, overly casual, distracting, or inappropriate for the role. For most interviews, it is best to avoid:

• Graphic T-shirts

• Hoodies or sweatshirts

• Leggings worn as pants

• Ripped or distressed jeans

• Athletic wear

• Shorts

• Very short skirts or dresses

• Flip-flops or casual sandals

• Dirty, scuffed, or overly casual shoes

Fabrics that are usually too casual, clingy, sheer, or hard to keep polished for an interview include:

• Jersey T-shirt fabric

• Sweatshirt fleece

• Thin ribbed knits

• Distressed denim

• Wrinkle-prone satin

• Sheer fabrics or mesh

• Tight, stretchy materials that cling too closely

Your outfit should also avoid extremes, even if the workplace has a relaxed dress code. Clothing that is extremely low-cut, tight, short, transparent, or visibly worn can come across as unprofessional, and loud prints or excessive accessories may feel distracting. Even for a casual office, it is better to choose polished, intentional clothing over anything that looks like gym wear, loungewear, or weekend clothes.

What to wear to an interview in the summer

In the summer, the main difference is fabric and weight rather than the level of formality. Look for lightweight, breathable materials such as cotton poplin, linen blends, lightweight wool, or crepe, and choose unlined or lightly structured pieces when possible. You may also want shorter sleeves, lighter colors, and layers that are easy to remove outside but still appropriate indoors if the building is heavily air-conditioned. The goal is to stay cool without shifting into clothing that feels too casual or too revealing.

How to dress professionally: 3 steps for choosing your job interview attire

Dressing professionally for an interview does not have to mean buying a whole new outfit. In many cases, the best approach is to start with what you already own and focus on choosing pieces that look polished, fit well, and feel appropriate for the role. With a few simple steps, you can put together interview attire that feels confident, professional, and realistic for your budget.

Free job search resources

Coursera's Career Resource Hub offers a powerful collection of free job search resources designed to support you whether you're starting out, switching fields, or aiming for a promotion:

• Industry-specific interview prep to ace your toughest questions

• Custom study guides for today's most in-demand skills

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1. Consider common rules of thumb.

• Dress one step up from what those in the workplace environment wear. For example, if a company’s leaders and employees typically dress in jeans and T-shirts, your one step up might include a pair of non-denim pants and a tucked-in shirt.

• Prioritize feeling comfortable and confident. Even if you’ll be wearing a tie and button-down shirt, make sure your garments do not restrict movement or irritate your skin so that you can focus on the conversation with a potential employer. You may even choose to wear something you already know feels comfortable rather than investing in a new set of garments.

• Make sure every garment in your ensemble is clean, free of wrinkles or tears, and properly fitting. These details alone can polish your look. 

2. Research the company’s dress code.

In conjunction with dressing one step up, you’ll want to get a clear sense of the company’s environment, culture, dress code, or workplace attire expectations. You can find this out by: 

• Calling or emailing your interview point of contact and asking them about the company's dress code. Examples of the kinds of questions you could ask include: “How do people who work here usually dress?” or “How would you dress for an interview with this company?” 

• Perusing the company’s website and social media profiles for images that offer clues about the typical attire 

• Visiting the company’s location (if convenient) and observing firsthand how employees dress 

Once you find out the company’s dress code, consider the examples in these four workplace attire categories: 

• In formal environments, appropriate attire might include a tailored suit, button-down shirt with tie, blouse, lace-up dress shoes or close-toed pumps, and stockings or dress socks.

• In casual environments, such as a tech company or start-up, you might see staff members wearing a broad range of attire, from khaki pants and button-downs to jeans, T-shirts, and hoodies. For your interview, you might choose an outfit that is more on the business casual side rather than something very casual. Business casual attire typically blends some elements of formal and casual attire and can include non-denim pants, blazers, button-downs, and dresses and skirts that aren’t part of a business suit.

• In creative environments, such as a design company, art gallery, or clothing boutique, you might find a more fashion-forward culture of dressing. In this case, you might choose garments and accessories that reflect the latest trends and resemble the styles worn by employees and clientele. 

• In industry-specific environments, dress codes can differ significantly between interviews and what is worn on the job. For example, for a personal trainer interview at a fitness studio, you might wear business casual for the face-to-face part of the interview and athletic attire for a physical demonstration of your training approach. For an interview at a medical facility, you might opt for business casual or a step above, even if you’ll be wearing scrubs or a lab coat on the job. 

Continue preparing for your interview with Coursera's free resources

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