What do you wear to an interview?

You have a job interview tomorrow. You've learned everything about the company, you're prepared for any questions they ask, and you even arrived a few minutes early. You couldn't be more ready.

But when you stop in the restroom for a last look in the mirror, your mind starts racing: "Am I dressed the way I should be for this interview?"

"In an interview situation, you're marketing yourself as a product, and so you want and need to have the best image possible," says Amy Glass, a trainer and coach at Brody Communications Ltd. of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and an expert on presentation skills, business etiquette, professional presence and interpersonal communication.

Presenting a professional image is more about doing your homework than spending money. So as you prepare for your interview, keep these wardrobe tips in mind.

It's OK to Ask What to Wear

In many traditional industries, like finance or accounting, business professional dress will be appropriate: A conservative suit, shirt and tie if you're a man, or a conservative suit if you're a woman, with -- perhaps -- personality shown through your shirt or jewelry, Glass says. In other industries such as advertising, public relations, graphic design and information technology, what to wear might be less clear. If that's the case, Glass says, ask about the company's general dress policies when you're first contacted about an interview.

"You can say to the person you speak with, 'I want to make sure I understand your company culture and dress appropriately,'" Glass notes. "It's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it shows respect."

If in doubt, err on the conservative side. "I've been overdressed at times, and that can be uncomfortable," Glass says. "But that's much better than being underdressed."

Shop Smart

You don't have to buy several suits for different interviews at the same company. In many instances, you can get by with one suit combined with what Glass calls a "capsule dressing" strategy -- varying what you wear with the suit each time.

"If I'm a young woman and I invest in a nice black pantsuit, I could use that one suit for interviews, but change the shirt, jewelry or scarf each time," says Glass.

You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune

Visit higher-end stores, like Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus, to look at interview clothes, Glass says. But when you're ready to buy something and money is tight, head for the outlet stores.

When considering your purchasing options look not so much at the specific price tags on various garments, but at the "cost per wearing," suggests Glass.

"Suppose you see a suit that's $150. If it's a trendy cut and it wasn't made of great fabric, you might be able to wear it once a month for two years. So your cost per wearing is fairly high. If you buy something for $300 instead, in a cut that will last longer -- not trendy but not old-fashioned either, and not screaming the year it was made -- your cost per wearing goes down dramatically. So don't look at the original price so much as how long the piece will be useful to you."

Don't Neglect Accessories

If you have leather shoes, Glass says, make sure they're shined. If you have suede shoes, make sure they're brushed. And if your shoes are five years old, have the soles redone at a shoemaker. If you have a leather briefcase and it's still in good shape, now's the time to use it. If you don't, a nice portfolio binder will do just fine.

Will all the effort and expense you put into your professional image for your interview make any difference? Absolutely, Glass says. In fact, it's essential.

"Your image matters because it shows your attentiveness to detail and gives recruiters an idea of how you'll represent their company to clients, both internally and externally," Glass concludes. "The visual message you send makes a big difference in how you're perceived and, ultimately, whether or not you get the job."

Source : https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/what-to-wear-for-job-interviews

You're on your way to realizing your dream career! Here's the female baby boomer generation perspective. Go get or borrow a suit. Joseph A. Bank clothing is a good investment. I would wear dark pants. Gray says, "I'm here for business, not a funeral." Dress to feel comfortable, yet confident. Try on outfits. Think about wearing one, special item. On my last interview, I was super nervous. I chose a blouse that was special and brand new. It was an item I wouldn't normally buy for myself. I wore the blouse with gray pants and coat I already had. Wearing it still makes me feel confident. I built the interview outfit around that piece. Decide for yourself, what that looks like for you. Clothes that enhance your features are memorable. You want to be memorable in a good way. For instance, if you have striking eyes, choose a shirt, or tie that is the shade of your eyes. If your skin tone is your best feature, try colors of shirts or ties that make your skin look vibrant and healthy. Make sure to have the shirt, pants, and suit coat dry cleaned and pressed. The most important thing is grooming. Make sure that the pesky, back of the neck hair is freshly groomed if you have a short hair cut. If your hair is long, slick it back and restrain it. Your look needs to be saying, "I'm in control of my appearance." That says, "I am confident I can do this job." Take a selfie and evaluate your full look, head to toe. Wear new or well shined, dark colored shoes. Make sure, if your trousers are too long, that you have them tailor hemmed and creased at a dry cleaner. They should touch the top of your shoes when you stand. Socks are vital! Wear socks that blend with the color of your pants. Colored socks distract the interviewer...or, at least me, when I'm conducting an interview. By the way, I got the job! You will, too, eventually! See yourself, in that outfit, performing on that job, then open the door and enter the interview. Sit upright in the chair, anchoring yourself by gently touching the table or desk in front of you. Try to keep gesturing to a minimum. (Distracts from what your saying and looks like your unsure and conjuring up an answer.) It might be somewhat of a financial investment to get the right look, however, if you get the job, you'll have that money right back! You've got this! But, not in khakis.

Hi Albert!

Here is some great information from one of my former colleges:
http://careernetwork.msu.edu/jobs-internships/appearance-and-attire/dressing-for-interviews.html

Best of luck!

Hi
I would advise in general to wear a suit. it's is more secure to be conservative and formal.
You might want to choose a dark color so avoid bright colors or anything flashy or bright.
Be simple :)
Finally, your clothing should always be neat and pressed, it will give a good impression to your interviewer.

Good luck !

Imane