For women, business attire has always been a tricky business. To ace an interview, one of the most important non-verbal cues is one’s choice of outfit. We have all heard the adage, “First impression is the last impression.” In other words, you only get one chance to make a memorable first impression. Although we are often told not to judge a book by its cover, we rarely follow the advice we give others. Research reveals that our unconscious brain makes an impression about anything new in under 10 seconds.
Dressing well is a major contributor to how others perceive someone. The best interview attire for women will ideally exude confidence and make one look presentable. But the dilemma of what to wear to an interview continues to haunt women worldwide.
Dressing well is one of the first hallmarks of success.
So, what are some of the best job interview outfits women can wear to an interview?
1. Blazers and Layering
One of the safest options to look chic and serious is to layer one’s look with a blazer. It serves a dual purpose, as layering helps one add color and having a blazer shows that you mean business. Other than its aesthetic value, blazers come in handy when individuals must deal with fluctuating temperatures. Since most offices tend to set their air conditioners on high, one can feel chilly and nervous while giving an interview. Wearing a blazer exudes confidence and shows that one is ready to dive into work.
2. Neutral Colors
Neutrals define power dressing and top the list of best job interview outfits for women. Business executives tend to prefer solid colors over prints. This is because neutral colors like black, blue, white, beige, and gray work with most skin tones and show off one’s natural beauty. They are the best colors to wear to an interview, if you are an ambitious female. Having a set of neutral-colored clothes is a must as they also pair well with brighter colors. If one wishes to add a pop of color, neutrals bring the right balance to one’s look. Neutrals are the safest choice to make when one is feeling confused, overwhelmed, or nervous to really show off their personality.
3. Statement Dresses
A well-fitted statement dress can make you stand out if accessorized properly and worn with confidence. Case in point — The character Donna Paulson from the hit TV show Suits. A bonafide star at the legal agency, a big part of her personality was wrapped up in how well she dressed. It is important to ensure that the neckline and the hemline are appropriate. Low cut necklines and extremely high hemlines can work to one’s disadvantage. One of the best interview attires for women, dresses were also highly recommended by the high priestess of fashion, Coco Chanel, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the women.”
4. Accessories
Accessories are a double-edged sword, and must be handled carefully. They can make or break one’s look. The best accessories to spice up one’s business wardrobe are scarves, jewelry, and purses. These tools, when color coordinated, can be a tasteful addition to one’s outfit and can silently communicate one’s desire to succeed. In The Devil Wears Prada, the no-nonsense fashion chief Miranda Priestly called accessories “a piece of iconography used to express individual identity.” And she would know what she is talking of, considering that fashionistas across the world couldn’t help but be in awe of her power. If you are wondering how to dress for an interview, as a female, make sure your accessories complement your outfit.
5. Footwear
It is not easy to be elegant and formal. But one shortcut to achieving this is to invest in proper footwear. To put the right foot forward, one needs to get their footwear just right. Shoes can help one make a statement while keeping things fashionable and practical. Nothing puts one down, quite literally, like an ill-fitting pair of shoes. The footwear one chooses affects the way one walks and by extension, how they feel. Whether it is a casual job interview for a female or an extremely formal setting, shoes can help transform one’s body language and attitude.
One common piece of advice is to dress for the job you want, not the one you have. What it means is to always be prepared. Having the proper outfit puts one in the right mental space to tackle the obstacles that come their way.
As actress Blake Lively says, “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.”