Gender Neutral Guide: What to Wear For An Interview
What should you wear to a job interview? There is no simple answer, and it largely depends on the type of job and company that you are interviewing for. There are dozens of articles out there explaining how to dress for an interview. However, most outdated and confine what an individual can wear to gender stereotypes.
What Is Gender-Neutral Clothing?
Pick versatile, well-tailored pieces that offer a clean and timeless appearance. These items should align with your personal style while maintaining a professional feel. This approach helps create a wardrobe that feels both comfortable and empowering.
Key Takeaways:
- When picking your clothes, its a good idea to stick to neutral colors suck as black, a darker grey, or navy and stray away from loud and bright patterns.
- Before going into your interview do research on the company and try to find their dress code and company culture and try to match that.
- Prioritize Comfort and Professionalism: Choose well-fitted, neutral-colored clothing like blazers, trousers, and button-up shirts. Avoid bold patterns or distracting accessories.
- Research the Company Dress Code: Check the company’s website, LinkedIn, or ask the recruiter to match your outfit with their culture and industry norms.
- Must-Have Pieces: A blazer, tailored trousers, a crisp button-up shirt, and polished dress shoes are versatile and professional staples.
- Grooming and Accessories: Keep grooming neat and accessories minimal – think a classic watch or subtle bag.
- Virtual Interviews: Wear well-fitted, camera-friendly clothing and ensure a tidy background.
General Rules
- Accessories: Accessories should generally be kept to a minimum. Here are 5 things to keep in mind while accessorizing.
- Bags: Make sure to have your belongings in a professional bag, briefcase, or folder. Do not show up with a shopping bag or carrying your items loosely.
- Belts: If you decide to wear a belt, make sure that it matches your outfit.
- Hats: You should not wear a hat in the interview unless it is a religious headcover.
- Jewelry: Having large dangling earrings or an arm full of bracelets or can be distracting. The sound of the bracelets clinking together can be very distracting.
- Tattoos: While unfair, many employers will judge you if they see that you have tattoos. If possible, you might want to consider covering them.
- Excessive Makeup: Individuals are generally advised to avoid dark eye makeup, bright lipstick, and heavy foundation. However, you might want to ignore this rule, depending on what industry/job you are looking at. For example, if you are interviewing for a job at Sephora, you might want to wear bolder makeup.
- Neutral colors: You should generally avoid loud and bright colors. Colors like black, beige, brown, blue, and gray are safe options. If you want to add in a pop of color, think about having a colorful tie, socks, pocket square, or an undershirt. Make sure that it complements the rest of your outfit and is not distracting to the interviewer.
- Patterns: You should generally steer clear of overly complicated patterns. Something tasteful and simple is fine. If you want to play it safe, choose solid colored clothing. While patterns can be fun, you want the interviewer to remember you for your qualification, not your outfit.
- Too casual: When in doubt, dress up. It can be challenging to wear dress clothing when you are living in a warm place. If you are interviewing in a business casual or professional environment, you should not wear casual shorts, flip-flops, or a tank top. Avoid colors that show sweat like light grays and wear breathable clothing if possible.
Meeting Industry Standards
| Industry | Standard Attire | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Finance/Banking | Business formal | Dark suits, crisp shirts, minimal extras |
| Tech/Startups | Business casual | Slacks or khakis, collared shirts/blouses |
| Creative Fields | Smart casual | Stylish yet polished, coordinated colors |
| Healthcare | Business professional | Conservative suits/separates, closed-toe shoes |
| Education | Business casual | Neat, modest outfits, comfortable shoes |
Must-Have Items
| Item | Description | Styling Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Blazer | Single-breasted in navy or charcoal | Look for structured shoulders and a relaxed fit for versatility. |
| Trousers | Straight-leg or slim-cut dress pants | Mid-rise styles with a clean ankle line work best for a polished appearance. |
| Button-up Shirt | Crisp cotton in white or light blue | A relaxed cut allows for easy movement while maintaining a sharp look. |
| Sweater | Fine-knit merino or cashmere | Great on its own or layered under a blazer for added warmth and style. |
| Dress Shoes | Oxford or loafer style in black or brown | Keep them polished and in good condition to complete your outfit. |
| Tailored Vest | Matches or complements your blazer | Adds a sophisticated touch when layered. |
What to Avoid With Your Interview Outfit
- Headphones: Avoid wearing headphones when you are walking into the interview or waiting for the employer to call you in. You do not want to seem distracted and may not hear your name when the interviewer is looking for you.
- Clothes that don’t fit: Your clothing should not be too big and baggy or too small and tight. You can wear a baggy top with tight bottoms or vice versa.However, if everything is loose, you risk the chance of looking unprofessional. You should also avoid hemlines that are too short, plunging necklines, and see-through clothing.
- Perfume/Cologne: While it is nice to smell good, it is easy to overdo it. Your interview might have an aversion to specific or strong scents, and you do not want to make them uncomfortable. Consider ditching the perfume or cologne. Shower beforehand, wear deodorant, and brush your teeth.
- Stains: Before walking out the door, make sure to look in the mirror and check your outfit for stains. If you are planning to eat, take public transportation, or do something else before your interview, bring a change of clothes in case something happens to your outfit.
- Wrinkles: Make sure that your clothes are wrinkle-free. You may come off as lazy or not put together if your outfit is full of wrinkles. If you do not have an iron at hand, you can use a blow dryer to get rid of wrinkles.
Dressing for Online Interviews
Virtual interviews demand attention to how your outfit comes across on camera. The goal is to present a professional image with the right fit and thoughtful color choices.
Looking Good on Screen
Choose clothing that fits well, particularly around the shoulders and collar, to maintain a polished look. Stick to colors that appear professional and aren’t overly distracting. Also, take a moment to adjust your background so it complements your overall appearance on screen.
Where to buy Gender neutral clothing:
Boston Specific Queer Resources: Queer and Trans POC Exchange: BOSTON & Queer Exchange Boston
Professional Wear Brands: Muji,Uniqlo, H&M, and Blazer examples
Dress for Success: Beyond the Binary , Pin on The Curvy Fashionista Blog, Pin on Work Attire, Pin on Current Style, Pin on Inspiration
Information taken from the following articles:
https://www.zippia.com/advice/what-to-wear-for-an-interview/
https://scale.jobs/blog/gender-neutral-interview-attire-tips
