Your appearance tells people how you feel about yourself as an applicant; it also tells how you feel about the interviewer(s), the company, and the interview process itself. Professional attire tells people you understand the niceties of business life, and can be trusted to represent your employer to people outside the company. It also encourages the interviewer to take you and what you say seriously, and gives you a boost in self-image and confidence - all of which are important advantages.

For both men and women, the safest look at an interview is traditional and conservative. Women's fashions, however, tend to change more quickly than men's, so women will have to put more effort in staying up-to-date and treading the line between conformity and individuality. Both genders should be concerned with dressing appropriately for the position you want, not the one you have - part of showing you can handle greater responsibility is demonstrating that you can look the part.

Do a little research before selecting your outfit for an interview. Know the dress code and expectations of the specific industry and company, if possible. (It is acceptable to ask someone in personnel for this information.) And ask someone who can give you an honest opinion to give your attire a once-over before the interview, to be sure no mistakes have slipped past your notice.

Proper Interview Attire for Men

Suits: The most acceptable colors for suits are navy blue and charcoal through light gray, followed at some distance by brown and beige; solids or muted, narrow pinstripes are best. 100% wool suits look and wear better than any other material. Two-piece suits are perfectly acceptable.

Shirts: Always wear a long-sleeved white or pale-blue shirt. Monograms are to be discouraged; thin red or blue pinstripes are acceptable on a white shirt, but not really preferred. Cotton shirts that have been professionally cleaned and starched look good.

Ties: Pure silk ties are most resistant to wrinkles and present the best image. Ties should complement the suit without matching it completely - choose a pattern that neither vanishes into nor does battle with the rest of your suit.

Shoes: Shoes should be either black or brown leather. Lace-up wing tips are the most conservative choice; slip-on dress shoes are slightly less conservative, but just as acceptable.

Socks: Socks should complement the suit, so they will usually be blue, black, gray, or brown. They should be long enough that you can cross you legs without showing bare skin, without bunching up toward the ankles.

Accessories: Include nothing that could be misconstrued or leave a bad impression. Avoid religious and political insignias in the form of rings, ties, or pins. Your watch should be simple, plain, and analog. Briefcases should be leather, preferably brown or beige, and as plain as possible. A cotton or linen handkerchief is recommended. Belts should match or complement your shoes and have a simple buckle.

Jewelry: Rings, watch and cuff links, if necessary.  Remove visible body piercing and studs.

Proper Interview Attire for Women

Suits: Women have more room for creativity than men, which means they also have more room for mistakes. Limit creativity to materials, patterns and cuts. Wool blend may be best, particularly in warm climates. In addition to solids and pinstripes, various plaids may be acceptable. To be safe, wear something that falls just a little below the knee. Charcoal, medium gray, steel gray, black, and navy blue are good colors, all of which look good with a white blouse.

Blouses: Long sleeves are best; although the spectrum of acceptable color choices is wider than for men, white and pale blue are still the best options.

Scarves: A pure silk scarf offers a conservative look, a good finish and ease in tying. As with men's ties, the objective is to complement the outfit, not to match it exactly. Avoid flamboyant styles.

Shoes: Shoes should be leather; in addition to brown and black, navy and burgundy are acceptable. Stay away from faddish or multicolored shoes. The pump is the safest and most conservative look.

Stockings: Select neutral skintones in most cases. Carry a spare in case of runs.

Accessories: A briefcase is an ideal accessory, but do not carry a briefcase and a purse. In addition to brown and burgundy, blue and black are acceptable colors. Belts should complement or match shoes. Snakeskin, lizard and the like are valid choices. The belt should never be instantly noticeable.

Jewelry: Restrict rings to engagement or wedding rings, should you decide to wear rings. Subdued and professional-looking earrings and necklaces are acceptable. A single bracelet around the wrist is also acceptable.  Remove visible body piercings.

Makeup: Natural is the key word; eye makeup should be subtle. Beware the possibility that lipstick may smudge or wear off if the interview is lengthy.

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