Of the many things to worry about when going to an interview, figuring out what to wear often stumps people the most.
As a man, what should you wear when attending an interview? Should you wear a suit and a tie? A casual polo shirt and a pair of jeans?
There is no fast-and-hard rule here, as it depends on the job position, industry, company culture, and your own preferences.
In this article, we’ll explain what to wear in different interview situations and give you examples of appropriate interview attire.
Also Read: Most Asked Interview Questions, & Answers
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
Types of Dress Codes
There are a few types of “dress codes” or outfit styles, depending on the industry and work environment. Let’s go over the three most common work environments and how to dress appropriately for them.
Check Out: Good Signs You Will Get The Job After Interview
Business Formal/Corporate
Photo by Teddy Joseph/Pexels
Business formal is what you think of when you think of Wall Street or CEOs. A standard business work environment requires you to wear a suit, tie, dress shirt, and dress pants.
This is the most suitable attire to wear if you are interviewing for a corporate job in an industry such as finance (banking, stocks, etc.) or insurance.
An example might be a life insurance salesman or a bank manager. Other traditional industries, such as legal, also typically require formal business attire.
While you can get away with wearing such an outfit for even more casual work settings, there is the risk of overdoing it. For example, if you are interviewing for a job at a factory as a production line worker, you don’t really need to wear formal business attire.
Here are the essentials of a business formal outfit:
- A black or blue suit. It should be solid or with faint lines or stripes.
- A dress shirt. White always works, but light blue is okay as well.
- A tie. Wear a solid tie – black, blue, and red work great. You can also have simple lines or designs on it, but avoid anything too extravagant.
- Dress pants that match your suit.
- Dress shoes. Black and brown are best.
- A watch. Wearing a timepiece shows that you value time and are punctual. A blue or black wristband is perfect.
Also Read: What Motivates You In Life? – Interview Question Answered
Photo by Dinielle De Veyra/Pexels
What to avoid for business formal:
- An outlandish suit, such as a bright yellow suit.
- A bow tie.
- Polo shirts and t-shirts.
- Jeans, chinos, or trousers.
- Sneakers and casual shoes.
- Cheap-looking watches. You don’t need an inexpensive watch, and it doesn’t need to be from a famous brand. However, it shouldn’t look like you bought it from the dollar store. Also, avoid a Fitbit and other fitness trackers.
Also Read: Signs Your Interview Went Bad
Business Casual
Photo by Marcus Silva/Pexels
Business casual is a blend of traditional, formal attire with a more casual look. You don’t have to look like you work at the New York Stock Exchange, but you still need to dress smart.
Examples of industries that typically allow business casual include tech, IT, and retail. Many offices let their workers come dressed in casual business attire.
Startups and creative agencies, such as digital marketing agencies, often prefer this type of attire as well. They don’t want to appear stifling or formal by requiring everyone to wear a suit and tie.
Here are the essentials of a business casual outfit:
- A pair of chinos, trousers, or dress pants. Black, brown, navy, and blue work well.
- A button-down shirt. You don’t have to stick to the old white or light blue, especially if it’s a creative agency. It could even have mild designs.
- Depending on the weather, you can wear a solid sweater over your shirt. A gray or brown sweater will look nice.
- You can also go for a blazer or sports coat. Unlike suits, they don’t come with matching pants. A blazer is a solid color and a bit more formal, while a sports coat typically has patterns and is a bit more casual.
- A pair of nice-fitting shoes. You don’t need fancy dress shoes, but they should look decent.
- A belt.
- A nice-looking watch. You can use a smartwatch or a fitness tracker like a Fitbit instead of a traditional analog watch.
- A laptop case to add a bit of style.
Explore: How To Answer “Walk Me Through Your Resume” In An Interview?
Photo by nappy/Pexels
Here’s what you don’t want with casual business attire:
- A suit.
- A tie.
- Jeans, with the exception being solid black jeans.
- A cheap watch.
- Polo shirts or shirts without collars.
Check Out: Worst Job Interview Answers & What To Say Instead?
Casual
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
A more casual work environment might include a job at a barbershop or café. Note that we’re assuming the place does not have a specific dress code.
You might wear:
- A solid polo shirt, either dark or light-colored.
- A pair of chinos or jeans.
- A pair of sneakers.
- A watch.
Also Read: How To Answer What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Photo by salah amrani/Pexels
You should avoid the following:
- T-shirts or shirts without collars.
- Any shirt with graphics or slogans on them.
- Shorts or sweatpants.
- Flip-flops, crocs, and sandals.
- A cap.
- A chain around your neck.
If you are interviewing for a job that requires manual labor, you should also dress casually. You might wear a solid polo shirt with a pair of slim-fit jeans, but don’t show up with shorts and a t-shirt.
Examples of manual labor might include warehouse jobs, factory jobs, or working for a moving company. Even if the job has no dress code, and you can show up to work in a t-shirt, you want to make an excellent first impression during your interview, so dress smartly.
Also Read: Good Answers To Weaknesses Question In A Job Interview
Tips for Dressing Appropriate During Your Interview
There are a lot of nuances when it comes to choosing what to wear for your interview. These tips will help you get your outfit just right.
Research the Company
Photo by RF studio/Pexels
It’s always a good idea to research the company before you attend the interview. A helpful tip is to check out the company’s website and social media pages and find images of current employees.
Are they all dressed in suits and ties? In that case, you should choose formal business attire.
If, on the other hand, they are dressed more casually, showing up with a suit and tie might be overkill.
Ultimately, it depends not only on the industry, but also on the company culture.
Explore: Best Followup Emails After Interview & No Response For A Week
Think About the Position
A lot depends on the specific position you are interviewing for as well.
For example, let’s say you are interviewing for an internship. In many cases, wearing a suit and tie is too much; business casual would be more appropriate.
There are exceptions, of course. If you are interviewing for a job as a legal intern, the firm might expect you to wear a suit and tie at all times.
What if you are interviewing for an entry-level position? Business casual might be appropriate.
On the other hand, if you are interviewing for a senior-level position, such as a manager, it might be better to choose a formal business outfit, even if most employees at the firm wear business casual.
Keep It Simple
One of the good things about men’s fashion is that you can keep it simple and still look great. You only need a few jackets, shirts, and pants to mix and match and come up with many outfits that look great.
When in doubt, go a bit more formal, but keep it simple. Avoid novelty ties and other clothes, and don’t overdo it with accessories.
Discover: Why Should We Hire You With No Experience? Answering Tips
Know How to Match Colors
Knowing how to match colors is critical. That’s why it’s best to stick to neutral colors like white, gray, black, and light blue.
Avoid orange and green. A bit of purple and red is okay, but don’t overdo it.
If you wear a bright color, it’s best to wear only one piece of bright clothing, such as a red shirt with a black blazer and black pants.
Don’t Forget Personal Grooming
Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels
What you wear is only part of how you present yourself. As a male, personal grooming is another critical element of self-presentation.
It’s always a good idea to shave your beard, especially for more formal work positions that require business formal or business casual attire.
In some industries, it’s more acceptable to have a beard, especially in the IT industry. Startups, in particular, are usually okay with bearded fellows.
However, that doesn’t mean you should let your beard grow like a caveman.
A nice, well-groomed beard speaks volumes about how you take care of yourself. If you aren’t good at trimming your beard yourself, go to a barber and ask them to do it for you.
You should also use beard balm or oil to keep your beard hair in place.
That brings us to the topic of long hair. Most interviewers generally frown on long hair, but you can get away with it if the agency is more creative, millennial-led, and hipster.
Still, you should keep it nicely held back in a ponytail. Use gel to control flyaway hairs, so you don’t look unkempt.
Personal grooming goes beyond a shave and haircut, though. You should also smell nice.
Buy a pleasant cologne and apply it before your interview. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s something subtle that tells the interviewer a lot about how you take care of yourself.
Explore: Thank You Email Examples After Zoom Interview
Wear Your Clothes Correctly
Small things can make a big difference in how you wear your clothes. For example, if your collar is up at the back, it could reflect poorly on you.
If you are wearing a dress shirt without a suit, and it is a hot day, learn how to roll your sleeves up correctly, so they are neat. Depending on how formal the interview is, you can leave the collar button of your shirt open.
If you wear a belt, loop it through all the loops in your pants.
Know What to Avoid
Photo by Beatriz Fernandes/Pexels
I already discussed some things you should avoid. However, there are some articles of clothing that you should not wear to an interview, regardless of the type of attire you are expected to wear.
You should generally avoid wearing piercings to an interview. That includes nose rings and earrings.
Chains and necklaces also aren’t a good look. If you have tattoos, try to cover them up for your interview.
Graphic tees are seldom appropriate, especially if they have foul language. Here are some other things to avoid:
- Yoga pants and other workout attire
- Sweatpants
- Wife beaters and sleeveless shirts
- Mismatching socks
- Sandals and flip-flops
- Baseball caps
- Pajama-wear
- Shorts
Check Out: Best Strengths & Weaknesses Examples For Job Interview
Make Sure Your Clothes Fit
It’s also vital to avoid baggy clothes. Make sure your clothes fit you well but are not too tight.
If your suit is oversized or your pants are baggy and falling, you will look unprofessional, regardless of what you are wearing. If you are ordering clothing online for your interview, use the size chart to order the correct size, especially if you won’t have time to exchange them before your interview.
At the same time, you don’t want to wear clothes that are too tight and bursting at the seams. Wearing clothes that are too tight or too baggy can make it look like you bought them at a second-hand shop.
What if you haven’t needed to wear your suit in a while and lost or gained a lot of weight? Take a trip to the tailor and ask them if they can adjust it for you.
You might have to buy new dress shirts, however.
Similarly, a bit of shoe polish can make old shoes look new and shiny again, avoiding the need to buy a whole new pair of shoes.
Also Read: Killer Interview Questions To Ask Employers
Be Confident
Finally, be confident! Dressing nicely only does so much.
People will take you more seriously when your attitude matches your outfit.
For example, you can dress in a suit and tie, like a competent and professional salesman, for an insurance sales job interview. However, if you don’t have the confidence and smooth talk to back up your dress choices, you won’t succeed.
People will overlook mistakes in your outfit if you are confident in yourself and carry yourself accordingly.
Start with a firm handshake, and make eye contact while speaking with the interviewer. Sit upright and maintain a good posture, and talk clearly and loudly.
How to Dress for a Zoom Interview?
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
Just because an interview is over video call doesn’t mean you can dress however you like. As a general rule of thumb, business casual is appropriate for most Zoom interviews unless it is incredibly formal, such as when interviewing for a job at a law firm or a high-level position.
The nice part about Zoom interviews is that you don’t need to worry as much about what you are wearing on the lower part of your body if you will be seated throughout your interview.
What matters more for Zoom interviews is your background. You don’t want a messy background, and you must also avoid excessive noise.
Lighting is also critical, so find a well-lit area of your home with minimal distractions in the background.
Wrapping It Up: What Men Should Wear & Avoid When Going For An Interview?
Dressing nicely for your interview can also make you more confident about yourself, something your interviewers will notice.
If you aren’t sure what to wear, ask a friend or colleague for advice. You can even email the interviewer before the interview if there is a dress code you should follow.
Many interviewers intentionally don’t tell candidates what to wear because they want to see for themselves what the candidate will choose. However, there’s usually no harm in asking.
