The transition to more casual work environments and the prevalence of virtual interviews have created confusion for job candidates struggling to determine appropriate attire for job interviews. While traditional advice often emphasized professional business attire, many workplaces now embrace a more relaxed dress code, leaving applicants like Dani McEwen unsure of how to present themselves.
McEwen, a student at Baldwin Wallace University, found herself questioning her choice of a suit for an insurance company interview when she noticed employees wearing T-shirts and jeans. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I probably looked like I was trying way too hard and maybe seemed too uptight," she said.
Experts note that the post-pandemic landscape has led to a general relaxation of workplace conventions, largely influenced by the widespread adoption of hybrid and remote work models. "If the last six years has proven anything, it’s that everyone and everything has become slightly more relaxed," said Christina Adamo, a personal stylist. "That especially goes for dress codes, in great part because of the transition a lot of companies have had to hybrid and remote work."
While suits remain standard for executive positions and fields like law and finance, recruiters and stylists advise exploring a company's culture in advance. This can involve checking social media or company websites for clues about employee attire. Samantha Harman, a London-based personal stylist, suggests looking for keywords that indicate a company's ethos. "If you were to look at a company’s LinkedIn page and they’re using words like ‘We’re fresh, we’re innovative, we’re the new kids on the block, we’re here to shock the industry,’ then you know that the dress code is going to be more casual than if they’re saying ‘We are a traditional historic brand with traditional values,’" Harman explained.
For senior roles, maintaining a contemporary appearance is important to signal that a candidate possesses current skills and innovative ideas. "You don’t want anyone to think that you have a dated skill set because you want to be seen as someone who’s innovative, who’s going to have lots of new ideas," Harman added.
This disconnect can be frustrating for candidates. Molly Tyndale, 22, wore "business professional" attire for a virtual interview only to see one of her interviewers in an athletic T-shirt. "If I, as the candidate, had joined in a T-shirt, that would almost certainly be an automatic no," she said. "It’s frustrating."
Stylists also emphasize the importance of wardrobe as a personal branding tool. Hiring managers for senior roles may consider whether a candidate presents themselves as capable of representing the company in public-facing situations. Dylan Thomas Cotter, a publicist, opts for a dark blue tailored suit for interviews and client meetings to project capability and confidence, especially in a field where first impressions can significantly impact business.
Harman suggests staying current with fashion trends, even for interview attire, to convey leadership potential. For those on a budget, thrift stores and community organizations can provide professional clothing options.
Regardless of the specific dress code, certain universal guidelines apply. "Make sure everything is nice and clean and presentable," said Jamie Close, a corporate recruiter. "Then you’ll feel more confident about yourself as well because you’re not worried about ill-fitting clothes."
Close also advises against wearing new, unworn clothing to an interview, as it's important to be comfortable and not fidget. For skilled trades, wearing a clean, presentable version of work attire is recommended.
Experts advise dressing for virtual interviews as one would for an in-person meeting. Adamo recommends wearing shoes, even for virtual interactions, as it can influence mindset. Solid colors are generally preferred for virtual settings as they perform better on camera than busy patterns. "You want to show up as the best version of yourself and that includes dressing the part," Adamo said. "While many would suggest ‘waist up’ dressing since your top half is doing most of the work, I recommend treating it as if you were going in person. It helps put you in the right headspace, and feeling confident in what you’re wearing is the most important part."