What to wear to an interview
Four interviews, four looks: one shot at a first impression.
You’ve heard the saying ‘dress for the job you want’? Well, what about how that job would want you to dress?
In other words: if you’re going for an interview, you want your interviewer to picture you doing the job. What you wear needs to show you’re serious about the role but also that you’re a good fit for the company culture – a three-piece suit is pretty much mandatory for a City job, but wear one to a creative agency and they might mistake you for their accountant.
That said, great tailoring does wonders for your confidence. We surveyed British men and over half said they felt most professional and confident in a suit at work. It follows, then, that making an effort to dress smartly will impress your interviewer and also give you a boost of confidence when it matters. Win-win.
So, back to the question in hand: what to wear to an interview? Our advice is to tailor your outfit to the kind of company that’s interviewing you. Here’s our take on what to wear for four types of interview: corporate, agency, video, and meet the team.
What to wear to a corporate interview
The first rule of the corporate world? Wear a suit. If you’re interviewing for a role in finance, law or another hierarchal private sector company, you’re going to need to bring out your tailoring A-game.
The expectation will be for you to dress conservatively, so a three-piece suit is a smart move. Don’t just dig out your old navy one though – you should step it up a little if you want to make a memorable impression with what to wear for an interview.
Though black is universally well accepted as businesswear, you might want to try something a bit different to make an impression. In the summer months, a lighter coloured suit like the neutral performance will work wonders in a corporate setting. Our performance suits have the added benefits of crease recovery and water resistance, so you don't have to worry about looking untidy or spilling your morning coffee.
If you've decided on a patterned suit, you’ll need to show a bit of restraint with the rest of your outfit. This is not the time or the place for flashy cufflinks. A pocket square probably isn’t needed either but if you really want one, stick to plain white.
As for the tie? Match it up with your suit – a tonal Italian number, crafted from Bottinelli silk, will look cohesive and help you feel put together. Or, simply go without. Many places aren’t particular about ties anymore as long as you’re wearing a suit, and you can still look smart without one (though do your research on the company to check).
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What to wear to an agency interview
If you’re headed to an agency interview, chances are you’re still going to want to wear something smart. You don’t need to be quite as formal as you would in a corporate environment, though.
Cut to a tailored fit with a little more room across the thigh and seat, our oatmeal linen trousers keep things smart but are great for moving around the city and keeping you comfortable, too. And in our books, comfort equals confidence and confidence equals a successful interview.
Keep the rest of your outfit simple: a crisp white shirt will always feel good - drop the tie to keep it a bit more relaxed.
Shoe-wise, a pair of chunky brown loafers with suede detailing will set this suit off nicely. Make sure to give them a good buff too.
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What to wear to a video interview
Video interviews give you the opportunity to turn down the formal even more. In fact, you can pretty much go full smart-casual if you like, depending on what role you’re going for.
Here’s where your suit starts to look a little overdressed, but you'll still want to put together, even if you are only on camera. The happy medium? Tailored separates in more casual fabrics and neutral tones.
Our navy reversible jacket has a relaxed design but is boxy and structured, so the overall effect is pulled-together. Combined with a oatmeal tee and neutral chinos, the result is a cohesive tonal outfit that looks just as good in real life as it does on screen.
The result? Smart, but at ease. Exactly the vibe you’re going for.
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