Blog | Cuts Clothing

It’s crucial to know what not to wear to an interview so you can make an excellent first impression. Avoid wearing these five clothing pieces to an interview.

Dressing for success looks different depending on what role, industry, and company you’re in. Joggers are perfectly fine in the startup world, while suits may be best for taking the banking industry by storm. When you go into a job interview, every hiring manager will have different expectations for your clothes — but there are also work fashion faux pas every professional should avoid.

Here, we’ll tell you what not to wear to an interview or meeting so you can land the opportunity you’ve been striving for. We’ll also explain how you can choose a five-star outfit to make your first impression count.

If you want to win in your professional endeavors, you need to dress for [the Sport of Business](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/sport-of-business-podcast-09) — and that means wearing clothes that make you feel like a boss. Here’s a list of what not to wear to an interview, so you can enter and leave your meeting feeling confident.

[Casual dress codes](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/summer-business-casual) are the new norm in modern workplaces, but that doesn’t mean you can waltz into an interview wearing flip-flops, sweatpants, and a graphic tee. Shorts, ripped jeans, and athletic attire like yoga pants and workout tanks are also a no-go for most meetings.

Dressing too informally for an interview communicates that you’re not serious about the opportunity. Putting in the effort to make a good first impression shows you’re ready to go the extra mile for your job.

Great interview clothes should be an elevated version of what you’d wear on the job. Even if you’re meeting with a startup owner whose work attire is the definition of Silicon Valley style, you can fit in while still looking like a star candidate.

Wearing wrinkled, dirty, or damaged clothes is a fashion faux pas that hurts you twice as much during interviews. Even if you’re in the perfect business attire, coffee-stained dress pants or a wrinkled dress shirt can make you appear like you just ran out the door. Making a good impression is all about looking prepared.

Given that [42% of professionals](https://www.randstadusa.com/about/press-room/press-releases/randstad-us-survey-finds-casual-dress-almost-always-fashion-todays/) would prefer to show up 20 minutes late to an interview than look unprofessional, an extra five minutes of ironing is definitely worth your time. Alternatively, choose interview attire made with wrinkle-resistant materials, like [CUTS tops](https://www.cutsclothing.com/collections/all-tops), for a polished, crease-free look.

The best way to stand out in an interview is by showcasing your experience, personality, and passion for the role. You’re the best job candidate you know, which means you don’t need flashy clothing to be memorable.

Bright colors, animal prints, sequins, and trendy patterns can not only distract your hiring manager or potential partner, but also come off as too informal. Companies don’t want to take a risk on someone who might show up to a serious client meeting in a pink suit or a novelty tie. It’s best to choose neutrals that let you as a professional shine.

For women, flashiness can also include low-cut necklines, sheer materials, bare midriffs, and other unnecessarily exposed skin. Instead of treading the line between stylish and risqué, practice risk management like a professional who is truly leadership material.

Accessories can be just as distracting as clothes. When it comes to formal meeting and interview attire, less is more. Ditch the gold chain necklace or bold-colored smartwatch, if only for an hour, to make a 10/10 first impression.

In traditional workplaces, facial piercings may need to be removed to comply with company dress codes. However, even in a [business casual](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/summer-business-casual) environment, consider toning down your most eye-catching piercings for the first meeting — for example, by ditching nose hoops for studs.

Baggy T-shirts may be a trend, but they aren’t a proper fit for you or your next interview. Part of knowing what not to wear to an interview is understanding which clothes are designed to make you look good. Clothes that enhance your natural appearance will elevate your outfit and give you the confidence of a top-level manager.

**Pro tip:** Whether you’re wearing a blazer or a polished [athletic fit T-shirt](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/athletic-fit-t-shirts), make sure the seams align with your shoulder bones. If the seams are further down the arm, the shirt is too baggy. Also, make sure your pants offer enough leg movement without your belt being too tight. 

# **How to Choose the Right Interview Outfit**

Now that you know what not to wear to an interview, it’s time to choose a stellar outfit to make a great first impression. While the right outfit will depend on the company you’re meeting with and the role you want, these tips can apply to every professional.

# **1. Understand the Company’s Dress Code**

Company culture has a huge bearing on what’s appropriate to wear to an interview or meeting. While polos and khakis may be acceptable in one workplace, [workleisure](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/workleisure) may be the norm in another. Take a look at pictures on the company’s website and social media pages to get examples of appropriate work attire, or give your recruiter or hiring manager a call for advice.

# **2. Choose Clothing You’re Comfortable in**

If your shirt is giving you a rash or your shoes are giving you blisters, you won’t feel confident during your meeting. In fact, you may be too distracted to deliver during interview questions, which will make you look ill-prepared. Choose an outfit that’s the perfect blend of comfortable, functional, and attractive so your best self comes through and you lock in a job offer.

The last thing you need an hour before a big meeting is finding out your only dress shirt no longer fits. Try on your interview outfit as far as a week ahead of your big day, so you have time to shop for new pieces if your look is less than ideal.

# **4. Get Feedback From Friends or Family**

When it comes to evaluating our own clothing and accessories, it can be hard to be objective. Good friends and family members can give you their honest opinions about the outfit you choose. Ask them if they think your outfit is flattering, professional, and fitting for the role. Friends and family who know you well can also help you choose an outfit that shows off your personality in subtle, polished ways.

Plus, once you’ve nailed the outfit, your support system is sure to hype you up, so you can walk into your interview with a positive mindset.

When you take the chance to win new opportunities, you’re bound to have an important interview or meeting to attend. Dressing for success can help you turn your career goals into a reality. Remember what not to wear to an interview — like overly casual, flashy, or ill-fitting clothes — so you can impress your hiring manager and feel confident throughout your conversation.

Once you lock in your job offer, you need more than one outfit that fits your company’s dress code. Learn [how to avoid fast fashion](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/how-to-avoid-fast-fashion) and build a capsule wardrobe that’ll stand the test of time. Then, [browse through the CUTS bestsellers](https://www.cutsclothing.com/collections/bestsellers) to find high-quality pieces that will make you feel like a champion.

What Not to Wear to an Interview

1. Casual Clothes

2. Wrinkly or Damaged Clothes

3. Flashy Clothes

4. Distracting Accessories

5. Ill-Fitting Clothes

How to Choose the Right Interview Outfit

1. Understand the Company’s Dress Code

2. Choose Clothing You’re Comfortable in

3. Try on Your Interview Outfit

4. Get Feedback From Friends or Family

Dress for Success