The Best Job Interview Outfits for Women

Job Interview Outfits Women Should Consider

Dressing for a job interview is an important part of making a strong first impression, even in hospitality jobs. 

What you wear to an interview tells the hiring manager a lot about you, like your preparedness, thoughtfulness, consideration for the position, and professionalism.

That being said, knowing what to wear to an interview can be a challenge, especially if you’re interviewing for a position you’ve never had before.

In this women’s interview style guide, we will cover 10 essential tips to help you pick the best job interview outfits, along with examples of ideal attire in both formal and business casual environments. 

We will also cover what not to wear to a job interview, such as open-toed or tall heels, low-cut tops, bright colors or bold patterns, ripped jeans, and athletic wear.

Job Interview Female Outfits: What to Wear to Look Your Best

There are many stylish, yet professional interview looks you can try, like a mid-length skirt with a crisp, white blouse, a black or navy pantsuit, or slacks with a nice blouse and blazer or cardigan. 

Follow these 10 tips for not only what you could wear but also insider tips to make sure you look professional and elegant at your next interview. 

1 | Research the Company’s Dress Code 

Every company has a dress code built into its culture. Head over to the company’s Instagram, look up photos on LinkedIn and read the company’s website to get a better feel for how professional the office or work environment is. 

You can also send an email to HR asking what the company dress code is for your interview. 

Business casual job interviews require less formal clothing than in typical corporate settings.

Examples of business casual interview outfits include:

• Slacks with a blazer and flats
• A sheath dress with flats or low, closed-toe heels
• Casual dresses that split below the knee
• A blouse with dress pants (khaki, corduroy, cotton or twill) 

Women’s formal interview attire can include: 

• A pantsuit
• Dress pants with a white blouse
• Closed, black or navy heels 
• Dark-colored flats with no embellishments
• A knee-length or pencil skirt 
• A sculpted sheath dress with blazer or cardigan 

You’ll find that in business casual settings that you have more flexibility with what you can wear. Formal interview attire for women is more muted with dark-colored bottoms and blazers with white shirts being the standard. 

2 | Consider the Formality of the Position 

The saying goes, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” but this could make you overdress for a position and stand out during an interview. 

Consider where you are working, what the position is and what you would be expected to look like every day at the job. 

Even if the position would typically require a uniform, you can look stylish and professional by wearing classic women’s work attire, like dress pants with a nice blouse or a skirt and blouse with a blazer if it’s cold.

3 | Stick with Neutral Colors 

Professional women’s attire uses muted, neutral tones that allow your natural beauty to take center stage. Loud colors can be distracting and are not appropriate in some work settings. 

Gray, black, dark blue, white, beige and khaki are always flattering colors that can work in professional job interview outfits for women. 

4 | Wear Simple Accessories 

Accessorize with a watch or small earrings, such as tiny hoops, or diamond or pearl studs, or try putting on a simple necklace. 

Avoid bold statement pieces, except a necklace or bracelet in a business casual outfit.

Simple accessories will tie your job interview outfit together without taking any attention away from you or your overall look. 

5 | Be Mindful of Your Makeup 

Job interview makeup should be light and refreshed. It’s best to avoid bold colors or dramatic lines and dark shades. Instead, choose a simple look with pale colors, such as light pink or beige. Pair it with a nice matte lip that would complement your features.

Avoid false eyelashes, heavy lip liner, or bold lipstick. A sheer, neutral lip gloss can give you a finishing touch that looks simple and put-together. 

You should also aim to keep your hair pulled back from your face, even with a simple hair clip or ponytail.

Also, be mindful of your nails. Ensure the company allows nail polish if yours are painted. If you wear acrylics, opt for a neutral tone. Try nude nails or a classic French manicure at a short length.

6 | Match Your Blazer to Your Pants or Skirt 

Your blazer should always match the color of your bottoms, whether you’re wearing dress pants or a skirt.

If the pants have a pattern, like tweed, then you can either match the blazer to the fabric or wear a color that matches the base tone, such as black or dark gray. 

Avoid mixing and matching colors, such as black pants with a gray blazer. This can look disorganized and unplanned. 

There are some exceptions, however, like a dark blazer with jeans in a business casual outfit or a colored blazer with an all-black ensemble.

7 | Wear Simple Shoes 

Dress interview shoes for women include simple, closed-toe flats, low heels with closed toes, and loafers. Avoid sneakers, athletic shoes, sandals or open-toed heels. 

Business casual shoes for women can include sleek sneakers, like fresh-white Adidas, but they should be chosen with care depending on the company.

You can always feel comfortable choosing classic shoes like a loafer or ankle boots. Just avoid overly bright colors or embellishments, like rhinestones.

8 | Try a Pantsuit

A pantsuit is an easy job interview outfit for women that can make you feel sleek, put-together, and confident. 

 When choosing a pantsuit, make sure the pants are long enough to cover your ankles but not long enough to pool around your shoes and touch the floor. Plus, you don’t want to trip and potentially injure yourself.

In terms of fit, you should be able to sit, reach overhead, and move freely without the pantsuit bunching, lifting up too much, or becoming too tight.

9 | Iron Your Outfit 

A wrinkle-free outfit is essential to look professional. Adding a little starch to your ironing board will help the clothes look polished and crisp, especially blouses and dress pants.

Iron on low to medium heat to avoid burning your clothes. Make sure you unbutton shirts first and fit them over the ironing board. 

If you aren’t sure how to get the ideal crease or remove wrinkles, you can always take your job interview outfit to a dry cleaner two days before and leave it on the hanger until you’re ready to get dressed. 

10 | Check for Pet Hair 

Pet hair on an outfit can immediately make it look less professional. We know you love your four-legged friend, but make sure to check your outfit for any hair. Run a lint roller over your outfit before your interview.

It can also be handy to keep a lint roller in the car or your purse, so you can give your outfit a once over before your interview.

Putting Your Job Interview Outfit Together

Women’s interview attire might not feel like your go-to looks, but with a few staple pieces, you can easily mix and match garments to create comfortable, stylish and professional looks that leave you feeling confident.

Remember, when you look good, you feel good, and feeling good will help you be more confident, engaged, and present in your job interview. 

If professional attire doesn’t feel “you,” try wearing the outfits several times outside of a work setting to really find your mojo in them. You’ll eventually start to feel naturally yourself and more relaxed, rather than someone trying to “dress like a professional.”

The truth is that you are a professional, and you deserve to wear an outfit that showcases how talented, dedicated and hard-working you are to a potential employer.

With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to crafting job interview outfits that feel authentic and make you feel capable and empowered. Best of luck with your interview!

Make sure to browse our open roles to put this advice into practice.