Aside from a first date, the job interview can be the trickiest style and fashion challenge you’ll ever face. Here’s how to make sure you create the right impression.
Rule number one is to always always always risk being too formal than too casual. If you get things wrong, it’s far better to be seen as overdressed than underdressed.
For men, a suit is nearly always the safest bet for a starting point. If you’re going for a management or professional role, suit and tie is safest. If the role is more junior, you can maybe ditch the jacket; for creative jobs you might be fine with jacket but no tie; and you might be able to get away with just a shirt and no tie in more casual jobs. Leeds United mascot is about the only job where you could go even more casual, but again, always go for too smart rather than not smart enough.
For women, you’ve got more options, such as suits (with skirt or trousers) or a blouse and trousers/skirt combination. You might be able to get away with a dress for more creative jobs, but remember that understated is usually safer. Remember that style is more important than fashion in this setting.
As far as colour goes, keep things simple. Generally you should only wear one colour other than black or white, and even this should be relatively restrained. Keep jewellry simple and understated, and steer clear of novelty ties or those with busy patterns.
Make sure that everything fits (you may have changed size or shape since you last looked for a job), is in at least reasonably good condition, and is clean. Don’t forget to polish your shoes if necessary, and never underestimate the value of a haircut and a shave.