Interview - What to Wear: Women

Overall

Your appearance is important because it is the interviewer’s first impression of you.

Be professional, neat, clean, and well-groomed
Being overdressed is better than being underdressed
Clothes should be clean and wrinkle-free
Test-drive your outfit to ensure you are comfortable walking, sitting, standing
Research the industry and company as some companies are more conservative

Suit

Item	Advice	Example
Style	Suit separates can either come with pants, skirt or a dress Stick to matching pieces of consistent material and style	"Guide to Basic Women's Suiting" "How Should an Interview Suit Fit?" (jacket)
Color/Pattern	Solid dark colors such as gray, navy or black are the best options for an interview Plaid, pinstripe or patterned suits are not interview appropriate
Fit	Custom tailored suits are ideal, but in some cases hard to obtain last minute The back should lay flat and not pull or bunch Shoulder pad lines up with edge of shoulders Sleeves are not too tight or to loose The buttons on the front should comfortably button and not pull or tuft Cuffs should rest less than half an inch above the wrist	"Fit tips for women's business wear"

Item

Advice

Example

Style

Suit separates can either come with pants, skirt or a dress
Stick to matching pieces of consistent material and style

"Guide to Basic Women's Suiting"

"How Should an Interview Suit Fit?" (jacket)

Color/Pattern

Solid dark colors such as gray, navy or black are the best options for an interview
Plaid, pinstripe or patterned suits are not interview appropriate

Fit

Custom tailored suits are ideal, but in some cases hard to obtain last minute
The back should lay flat and not pull or bunch
Shoulder pad lines up with edge of shoulders
Sleeves are not too tight or to loose
The buttons on the front should comfortably button and not pull or tuft
Cuffs should rest less than half an inch above the wrist

"Fit tips for women's business wear"

Tops

Item	Advice	Example
Style	Collared shirt either long or short sleeved Dressy blouse in a comfortable material Always have a conservative neckline	"10 Things to Know About: Wearing Button-Down Shirts" "What to Wear Beneath a Suit Jacket"
How to wear	Tuck shirt or blouse into skirt or pants

Item

Advice

Example

Style

Collared shirt either long or short sleeved
Dressy blouse in a comfortable material
Always have a conservative neckline

"10 Things to Know About: Wearing Button-Down Shirts"

"What to Wear Beneath a Suit Jacket"

How to wear

Tuck shirt or blouse into skirt or pants

Bottoms

Item	Advice	Example
Skirt/Dress	Length should conservative at an inch or two above the knee, but nothing more Should be fitted but comfortable to sit and walk in Be aware of the slit and make sure it does not pull open Always wear pantyhose	"How Should an Interview Suit Fit?" "Fit tips for women's business wear" (skirt and sheath dress)
Pants	The bottom hem should be rest on top of the shoe without being too high or sweeping the floor Pants should be fitted but comfortable to sit and walk in Not too wide or skinny	"Fit tips for women's business wear" (dress pants)

Item

Advice

Example

Skirt/Dress

Length should conservative at an inch or two above the knee, but nothing more
Should be fitted but comfortable to sit and walk in
Be aware of the slit and make sure it does not pull open
Always wear pantyhose

"How Should an Interview Suit Fit?"

"Fit tips for women's business wear" (skirt and sheath dress)

Pants

The bottom hem should be rest on top of the shoe without being too high or sweeping the floor
Pants should be fitted but comfortable to sit and walk in
Not too wide or skinny

"Fit tips for women's business wear" (dress pants)

Shoes

Item	Advice	Example
Style	Pumps or flats are good choices Platforms, sandals or strappy heels are not appropriate	"What Type of Shoes to Wear on a Job Interview?"
Color	Should be in a dark color coordinating with you suit/outfit
Heel Height	Must be comfortable to walk in Should be under 2 inches

Accessories

Item	Advice	Example
Jewelry	Simple jewelry and a watch are acceptable No long or distracting jewelry	"8 Jewelry Dos and Don’ts"
Portfolio	A portfolio (leather or otherwise) is a must Bring extra copies of your resume in this portfolio	"What should I take to my job interview?"

Grooming

Item	Advice	Example
Hair	Neatly styled hair out of your face Wet hair is never acceptable Sunglasses should not be worn as a headband	"Is Your Hair Holding You Back?"
Makeup	A minimal natual look is always better Neutral tones are acceptable Stay away from bright eye shadow, blush or lip products No shimmer or glitter Caked on makeup is a don't	"Makeup for Your Job Interview"
Body	Shower Wear deodorant, but avoid wearing perfume Clean and trimmed nails Neutral nail polish	"Personal Hygiene Can Help You Land Your Dream Job" "5 Hygiene Tips On What to Do Before an Interview"

Item

Advice

Example

Hair