So you’ve landed a job interview? That’s fantastic! A job interview is the first step to a possible new chapter in your professional life. A new job can have a big impact on your personal life, too. So, of course you want to nail the interview.
Whether we like it or not, having the right interview outfit for the occasion can help you make a good first impression. However, finding a modest interview outfit can be challenging. So, we’ve outlined a few ideas below to get you started!
What Is the Dress Code?
The most important thing to ask yourself is do you know the dress code of the place where you are interviewing. The dress code will probably fall into one of three categories. Is there a uniform the workers wear? Is it more of a business casual look and feel? Perhaps it’s a casual dress code? While a lot of offices these days have adopted a more casual dress code (probably because of work-from-home during the pandemic), that’s not the case for every office. If you’re unsure of the dress code, it’s always safe to wear a business casual outfit. If you’re a little overdressed, you’ll just look like a serious applicant. If you’re underdressed, though, that could make you look less enthused about the position.
So, when in doubt, a business casual wardrobe is always best. Once you get the job and are around more people that work at the office, you’ll get a better idea of how to dress.
A Note about Modest Dress in Professional Settings
It’s important to note that, generally speaking, finding stylish and modest clothes can prove to be difficult. Thankfully, professional settings tend to lean more towards looking for people to dress modestly. So, it’s a bit more common. However, that doesn’t mean every professional outfit on the market is modest. It can still be difficult to find modest and comfortable outfits for interviews or everyday work.
So, we’ve come up with a few modest outfit ideas for your next interview. This way you can feel comfortable and confident while looking sharp.
Best Interview Outfit #1: A Stylish Knee-Length Dress
You can’t go wrong with a sleeved knee-length dress in a job interview. Many dresses, like the Erin Dress, can actually be dressed up or down with shoe choices and accessories as well. For example, for a dressy look, try a pair of heels or dress shoes with your dress and a few monochrome pieces of jewelry. For a more casual look, you can throw on a pair of sneakers and colorful jewelry and accessories.
This dress is so versatile that you could dress it up to be business casual for the interview. Then, if you find out the office has a less formal dress code, you can still wear the dress to work. Just dress it down a bit for a more laid-back look and feel.
Best Interview Outfit #2: A Modest Top and a Skirt
Another one of the best interview outfit options for an outfit that can be dressed up or down is a modest skirt and a top. Skirts like the Emma or the Morgan skirt both come in neutral colors like black. You can never go wrong with a classic knee-length black skirt. It can be paired with so many different modest tops. However, we’d recommend the Jodi Top or the Tillie Top.
Each of these outfits can be finished off with a set of classy earrings, like these silver hoops with bows, and a pair of dress shoes for a modest business casual look.
Best Interview Outfit #3: A Fashionable Midi Dress
Midi dresses are just a little longer than the knee-length dresses we mentioned above. Midis can have a more dressy feel than their knee-length cousins. These dresses, paired with some great accessories and a pair of dressy shoes, make the perfect modest interview outfit.
A few of our favorite midi dresses for interviews include the Illiana Dress and the Carson Dress. Both of these dresses are some of the best interview outfits because they are modest, comfortable and stylish.
Best Interview Outfit #4: Jeans and a Modest Top
What if you find out the company has a casual dress code? It’s still safest to show up in business casual attire so you can show how serious you are about the job interview. However, if they blatantly tell you that they have a casual dress code, and they invite you to also dress that way, that’s fine. However, don’t wear a pair of ripped jeans and an old tee shirt. Opt for jeans in a darker wash (with no holes) and a dressier modest top. One of our favorites is the Bianca Top. It comes in several stylish colors, so you can more easily pair it with your jean wash. Another top idea is a layering tee with a cardigan over the top. Paired with a nice set of accessories and clean yet casual shoes, you’ll be all set!
So, do you feel ready to go after that job? While how you look isn’t everything, having a professional and modest job interview outfit can not only help you to feel more comfortable and confident, but it can also allow you to communicate to the interviewers that you’re someone they can rely on. A clean and professional-looking outfit can help you make a great first impression.
Good luck at the interview!