CLOTHES THE DEAL...Job Interview Attire Ideas - What to Wear to a Job Interview

Job interview fashion is about setting the tone for your entire career. A great concept to remember when dressing on for a job interview is to consider what you might wear if you were meeting your fiance's conservative parents...for the first time...in church! Nothing too short, too tight, too colorful, too revealing, too white, too black, etc. This criteria for dressing to impress a prospective boss probably seems impossible to meet so I've put together some great out fit suggestions with pictures to make it easy to ace 50% of that interview before you even leave your house.

I suggest tailored and layered with a cohesive color story or one color accentuated in one or two accessories. Good tailoring or well-fitting clothes are EVERYTHING. You can be suffering and symptomatic from the flu, in the pits of a break-up or even fearful of losing your job or rank and if you're wearing clothes that LOOK like they were made for you, it hard for people to think anything about you except that you know exactly what you're doing. If there's every a day you should wear a suit, it's for a job interview. Get inspired with the looks below and read the list of What to Never Wear on a Job Interview at the end.

• A Black Suit with a Slightly Contrasting or Printed Blouse and Black Closed Toed (or break suit pieces up)
• A Black Blazer with Neutral Modest-Fitting Slacks, a Slightly Contrasting or Printed Blouse and Closed Toed Pumps/Heels
• A Black Suit Skirt with a Slightly Contrasting or Printed Blouse Layered with a Knit or Sweater (Not too bold or bright in color) and Black Closed Toed Pumps/Heels

 

• If Not Black, A Grey or Neutral in Color Suit with a Contrasting but Complementing Blouse (It's OK to be a little boring when pairing items with your suite. This white blouse with subtle ruffle neckline is the perfect amount of pizazz)

• You Can Still Show Off Your Personality and Fashion Sense with Accessories. Stick to a Cohesive Color Story and Don't Mix Lots of Different Colored Accessories (Remember: You don't want your interviewer to be distracted by your clothing or outfit because he/she won't be interested in what you have to offer their company aside from an interesting look.)

• If, and Only if, You Truly Believe You Would Benefit from a More Casual, Less "Stiff" Interview Ensemble, By All Means, Take it Down A Notch. (Just one notch though. Check the looks below to understand how to dress less formal but still professional.)

What to Never Wear to An Interview

• Jeans - Even if you think you're compensating with businesswear on top, you're not. Terrible idea.
• Open-Toed Shoes - Bad Bad Bad. It's not professional or acceptable for a job interview no matter how new and neat your pedicure is. It also reads "cheap". Your interviewer could assume your desperate for employment which is actually not something business owners/managers look for in an employee. And since your interview outfit sets the tone for your careerwear, with that particular company, your interviewer could foresee a string of bad outfit choices, which just looks bad on her/him and puts the entire company's reputation at risk. All from a peep-toe! I'm telling you...Don't do it.
• An Oversized Sweater or sweater of any kind that isn't a vest or fitted. It's too sloppy-looking unless paired with leggings or tight bottoms, and that is too casual and not appropriate for a job interview.
• Flats - Heels exude power
• Lots of Pink - I love pink, but it's just not taken seriously enough in the workplace. Peach and dim pinks become acceptable once you're employed...in moderation, but hot/bright/neon pink should never appear at work.
• A Lot of Floral - Save the sundress for the weekend. Again, too girly - Not taken seriously. Dim, subtle floral/paisley prints are fine for a blouse, layered with a blazer or tailored jacket/knit.
• Tall Boots - Sex appeal can be played up slightly once you're employed...but if you don't know how to do so and respect the workplace too, then just don't even attempt. Again, you'll be able to show off your new leather, studded stems...that's what the weekend is for.
• Major Pieces with Shine or Shimmer - No sparkly jackets, skirts, pants. Subtle sheen like satin lapels or silver trim, fine.
• Mesh, Sheer or Unlined - As with the other "Not-to-wears", don't try to bend this rule. It's never okay to wear anything see-through to a job interview no matter the suit vest you paired on top or the pretty bra you bought to wear underneath or the flesh colored slip/lining that prevents you from showing "all" if the air conditioning gets a little low. Nude lining under something see-through still emits the concept of NUDITY and it shows that you are leading with your sex appeal, not your mind or personality.