The golden rule
Dress one level above the company culture.
If the office runs on hoodies, wear a clean button-down. If they wear blazers, wear a suit. You should always look like you took the meeting seriously.
How to research dress code before the interview
- Check their LinkedIn photos and website team pages
- Look at employee Instagram or social media for casual signals
- Ask your recruiter directly — it's expected, not awkward
- Default: business casual is always safe
Dress code guide by company type
- Startup / Tech — smart casual: clean dark jeans, button-down or blouse, quality sneakers or loafers
- Agency / Creative — fashion-forward casual: express personality, avoid corporate uniform
- Finance / Law / Consulting — business formal: suit, conservative colours, polished shoes
- Healthcare / Education — smart professional: neat, conservative, minimal accessories
- Remote interview — same rules apply from the waist up; never go casual on video
Colours that work for interviews
- Navy, charcoal, white, light blue — safe and high-trust
- Bold colours — use sparingly as an accent (tie, scarf, blouse)
- Avoid: all black (can read as severe), loud patterns, overly casual fabrics
The details that matter
- Clothes should be pressed and clean — no exceptions
- Shoes matter more than you think — polished, not scuffed
- Minimal fragrance
- Keep jewelry and accessories simple
- Hair neat and out of your face
For video interviews specifically
- Check your background — clean and neutral
- Lighting: face a window or use a ring light
- Camera at eye level — never looking down at a laptop
- Test your audio quality first — bad audio is interview-ending