Essential Job Interview Clothes

By: Amber Gilani

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Interview attire is a big deal, which is why you should know what essential job interview clothes you will need. In a job interview, you will need to give out a suave and self-assured vibe, which is why you will generally need to dress formally. It is essential that your clothing be professional, but without being too eye-catching. The focus of the job interview should be you, not your attire.

The essential job interview clothes include:

  • A suit
  • A dress shirt
  • Formal shoes
  • A watch
  • A briefcase or portfolio
  1. For a formal industry, such as a bank or law office, a suit will be essential. Conservative suits are best for job interviews, in colors such as black, dark grey or dark navy. Your dress shirt should be either white or light blue, with no patterns or stripes. Your tie should match your suit. If you are unsure, go with a black or dark blue tie. The tie shouldn't have any distracting patterns, and any accessories (such as tie clips) should be muted. If you don't own a suit, you can easily rent one for the interview; just make sure it's clean. If you can't get this essential piece of interview clothing, wear a dress shirt with a formal pair of pants, which are traditional clothes for a job interview.
  2. Wearing a belt is essential for a job interview, and it should match the color of your shoes. Your belt should be black if your suit is a dark color like black, grey, brown or navy blue. Opt for a dark brown belt if your suit is in tan or medium brown. Polish your shoes beforehand, and wear dark socks.
  3. Choose some essential accessories to take with you into the job interview. Opt for a professional-looking watch (although you should avoid glancing at it during the interview), and a suave briefcase or portfolio in which to display your CV and other accomplishments. Avoid wearing too much cologne, as this can be too overpowering.
Posted on: Aug. 14, 2010