What to Wear to a Job Interview (So You Don’t Show Up Looking Like You’re Still in Psych 101)
Okay. So you landed a job interview.
Congrats, boo.
Whether it’s an internship, part-time gig, or your first big girl job interview that you got with a “please hire me, I have student loans and ambition“ speech, it doesn’t matter. A job’s a job, and I’m proud of you.
But now comes the real question: What do you wear?!
Let’s be real. Your college wardrobe probably consists of 3 hoodies, 2 pairs of jeans, that one “going out” top, and a mystery sock collection.
But fear not, I’m here to walk you through interview fits that’ll say “hire me,” not “I just barely rolled out of bed.”
First Things First: Read the Room (Aka, Stalk Their Instagram)
Every company has a vibe. Before you start planning outfits, do a little social media creeping.
Are they business casual?
Creative and quirky?
Suited up like they’re auditioning for “Succession”?
LinkedIn isn’t just for seeing what the company has done; it’s also for checking out the dress codes. It’s why the platform lets you post images.
See what the employees are wearing, how they style their hair, check group pictures and desk pictures, and see if anyone has a Starbucks coffee next to them. (I think that’s the ultimate sign of a “chill workplace”. )
Knowing the company culture will help you dress the part without looking like a corporate pick-me or an irresponsible Gen Zer.
Outfit Formulas That Slay (and Hire)
1. The “Business Casual Baddie”
Perfect for: Marketing, PR, sales, startups, and corporate internships.
Fit Combo:
- Black high-waisted ankle pants (avoid bright colours)
- Fitted top (solid color, not too low)
- Blazer (oversized but tailored—be cool corporate, not substitute teacher)
- Loafers or ankle boots
- Minimal gold jewelry (think “I brunch in Soho”, not “I sell essential oils”)
Why it works: It’s polished but not stiff. You look like you mean business and know how to use Canva.
2. The “Cool, Calm, Competent Queen”
Perfect for: Corporate, finance, admin, law internships.
Fit Combo:
- Slim trousers or a pencil skirt (basically dress like a main character on Suits)
- Button-down shirt (not the one from freshman orientation, please)
- Closed-toe flats or low block heels
- Structured tote bag
- Hair in a sleek pony or low bun (aka, “I got my life together… mostly”)
Why it works: It’s clean, timeless, and screams, “I can handle spreadsheets and your chaotic calendar.”
3. The “Creative but Not Confused”
Perfect for: Design, content creation, media, and fashion internships.
Fit Combo:
- Wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt
- Graphic or textured top (like ruffles, puff sleeves, etc.)
- Statement flats or cute sneakers (clean ones—not your beat-up Converse)
- Layered necklaces and a fun bag
- A pop of color, but just one—this isn’t Coachella
Why it works: You look creative and employable. Not like you’re about to paint a mural on the breakroom wall without permission.
Backup Plan: Neutral but Powerful
Sometimes you might not find an IG or LinkedIn account to stalk. That typically happens with interviews for freelance gigs or when you get the interview through a recruiter and don’t have much information about the actual hiring company.
In cases like this, it’s best to play it safe with a neutral yet powerful option.
Think calm yet bold choices, like:
- A black or beige dress (neckline must plunge exactly 0.000000cm)
- A black turtleneck (literally no one is looking down on the Steve Jobs fit)
- Long sleeve buttonless shirts
- Wide leg pants or maxi skirts (again, neutral colours)
- A button-down shirt WITH a vest (there’s something about adding a vest to a button-down that makes you narrowly tread the line between professional and casual.
A tie says straight up professional square, but a vest says “I might be chill and fun, you never know!”)
Hair, Makeup & Nails
- Hair: Just brush it. Honestly. Clean and styled > overcomplicated updos. Probably cover up “fun coloured” hair. A quick can of temporary black dye or your rich friend’s wig should do the job. Unless you know the company doesn’t care.
- Makeup: Natural glam. Like, “I woke up like this—but also own concealer.”
- Nails: Keep it neat. Neutral tones, short to mid-length. No 4-inch claws clicking on the desk, please.
- Tattoos & Piercings: That’s a no-no, unless you know for a fact that the company is accepting. Otherwise, cover it up. Discriminatory, yeah, I hear ya. But you need a job. You can always spring it on them AFTER you get the job.
Budget-Friendly Tips
1. Thrift like a queen: Blazers and trousers are everywhere in thrift stores. Oversized men’s blazers? Goldmine.
2. Borrow from a friend (or mom’s closet): You never know what treasures lie in the back of your dad’s closet until you search. Just avoid that dusty suit from 1997.
3. H&M, Uniqlo, and Target have tons of affordable basics that don’t scream “I’m new here.” And if you reaaallly want a cheap deal, maybe try Temu.
What Not to Wear (Don’t Be That Girl)
- Crop tops (save them for Taco Tuesday)
- Ripped jeans (even if they’re designer)
- Flip-flops. I can’t even…
- Anything too tight, short, sheer, or sparkly. It’s a job interview, not a red carpet.
- A cute slingback pink and purple Winx Club backpack. “Would they really notice my bag?” Yes. Yes, they would. Be professional to the MAX.
If you wouldn’t see it in vintage Ralph Lauren collections, you probably shouldn’t wear it.
Final Tips to Look The Part
- Try on the outfit before the morning of. Avoid last-minute “why does this suddenly not fit” panic.
- Sit, walk, and stand in your outfit. Make sure you’re not flashing the room.
- Bring a folder, not your resume crumpled in a tote next to a granola bar and pepper spray.
Be Confident, Be Polished, Be You (Just the Most Employable Version)
You don’t need to spend hundreds or look like a Wall Street clone. Just aim for clean, fitted, and intentional. Your outfit is just one part of the package—but it’s the part that walks in before you speak.
Your qualifications should be the ONLY thing that matters when applying for a job, but the world has learned for thousands or millions of years to always judge a book by its cover.
Ever since the first man got bitten by a snake he probably thought would be friendly. Since then, we’ve been judging people AND things by the way they look.
It’s why you would pick a pink coloured strawberry Slurpee over a blue coloured one. Like a blue-coloured Slurpee could taste exactly like strawberries, but you probably wouldn’t trust it, right? Or maybe you’re a rebel, I don’t know.
Same way, most employers feel comfortable with candidates who dress in a way they’ve been trained to consider as “professional”.
Don’t get upset over it… even though it can be upsetting, I swear I still wear makeup and dress up for virtual meetings, and I already got the job!
Just dress up and get the job. Once you get the bag, you can worry about changing the rules.
Now go crush that interview. And drop a comment when you get the offer.
Wishing you peace and funds,
Dee
