Best Interview Outfits for Men

style tips Apr 27, 2022

When you're getting ready for an interview, the last thing you want to think about is usually your interview attire. They're just clothes, right? What power do they have, especially when your resume is flawless, and the degrees align themselves to impress the audience? It doesn't sound fair to spend too much time and energy on the clothes you're going to wear for job interviews. But fair or not, first impressions matter! They always did and always will. Clothes tell a story about you the moment you step into the office and can become your ally or enemy in your quest to get your dream job. It might not sound ideal, but it is nonetheless true.

In other words, no, your trainers and summer wacky prints simply won't do, even if you are applying for an entry-level position with a start-up. At least not for the interview! As soon as you pass their tests and get in, you can assess the company culture and dress just like all their other employees, if not better. But until then, let's take a look at some interview attire tips and see what works best for you and your interview.

Basic rules to follow for job interview attire

Interview preparation is paramount for the success of your interview. And it's not only about having smart answers to common interview questions. It's also about doing your research on the company, trying to get a feeling for their environment and dress code, and looking for photos of the current employees to see what they are wearing on a day-to-day basis.

Before digging deeper into the interview attire concept and complicating things a little bit more, here are a few basic rules you should stick to no matter what:

wear something dressier than the usual office dress code
dress a little better than the current employees are dressing
keep it simple and elegant
when in doubt, stick to classic colors
fight the urge to experiment with a bold color
a navy blue blazer is often the safest choice
have your socks match your trousers
always wear closed-toed shoes
if you need to wear a tie, leave the novelty prints for other occasions
accessorize tastefully
overdressed is always better than underdressed

What not to wear to a job interview

Now that you have an idea about what you should wear, in general, when interviewing for a job, we'll help you narrow down the list with some rules regarding what you should never, under any circumstance, wear when trying to convince a potential employer you're the man for the job:

vibrant colors are not acceptable interview colors as they can be too distracting
t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, or sweatpants are never an option because they are simply too casual
flip-flops, sandals, and crocs should be reserved exclusively for beach outings
baggy clothes suggest a lack of interest and professionalism
wrinkled or stained clothes might send the wrong message and give the appearance that you either don't care about the interview or are messy and unorganized
too much cologne can be distracting
unkempt facial hair might make you look like you didn't spend too much time preparing for the interview, or you're not taking it seriously

The dress codes make the rules

If you are applying for a job in the financial sector, your interview outfit will be different than when you interview with start-ups. Fortunately, there aren't as many interview dress codes as there are companies. You'll pretty much have to choose from three dress codes:

Business professional

The business professional dress code, also known as business formal attire, is reserved exclusively for white-collar jobs and companies with traditional company culture. You won't find as many companies requiring a business professional dress code as in the past, but if you apply for a position within a law firm or management positions, your safest choice for your formal interview is a business professional attire.

What does the business professional dress code entail? The rule of thumb for this type of dress code is simple: full suit and tie. If the company you're applying to requires a business professional dress code, you need to have your dress pants, blazer, and dress shoes or loafers in impeccable condition. You can also throw in a vest, but only if you feel you can't do without it. Choose neutral colors like navy blue, gray, or black, and make sure the suit is tailored to fit you.

Business Casual

We've talked about business casual at length because it seems this is the favorite dress code of many companies. Business casual is where the business formal dress code drops the tie and Oxford shirts and allows a touch of creativity and color to step in. However, while the "boring" black suits are no longer mandatory, you'll still have to look professional. So, unfortunately, jeans and a t-shirt will not suffice this time either!

You can choose to wear a nice button-down shirt or even a sweater with a pair of chino pants if you're not a big fan of dress pants. The tie and blazer are no longer necessary. However, we recommend sticking with the navy blue blazer or khaki blazer as long it is well-cut and fits you like a glove. Business casual allows for more than just basic colors and simple patterns, but leave that shirt in a vibrant color for the next cocktail party and use your socks to show your "wild" side.

Smart Casual

Things tend to relax even more when you're getting ready for a casual job interview. There are many acceptable interview outfits if you are applying for a position with a company with a smart casual dress code, but no, sandals are not an option, and neither is the high-school t-shirt that brings you good luck. Smart casual doesn't mean you should forget all about style and professionalism. It just means you can now wear well-tailored jeans, chinos in solid colors, polo shirts, and leather sneakers.

You can consider smart casual clothing if you're applying for a position within a tech company, mostly a start-up, or entry-level positions at restaurants, retail companies, or call centers. However, it is best to check beforehand to make sure the dress code is acceptable because smart casual does come with its share of risks if worn in a company that has a business casual environment. If all things check out and you're good to go with your smart casual interview attire, feel free to be creative without compromising the professional aspect of the endeavor.

While these recommendations can be considered evergreen, interview dress codes tend to keep up with the times. Many companies have now their own People Ops team to establish a deeper, more meaningful connection with their candidates. The world has changed a lot since the mandatory suit and tie and this can be easily noticed in the companies’ attitude toward their potential employees. Some companies have switched from a sterile interview environment to a more relaxed atmosphere and they will let you know about their dress code prior to the interview. Oftentimes, their interview dress code is very casual and they might even suggest dressing in what makes you feel most comfortable and confident in.

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