What to Wear for an Interview in Fashion Industry
Interviews don’t just check your skills for the job, but the hiring managers also check if you fit into the role offered to you and the organization’s professional environment. Having interacted with so many recruiters in the fashion industry, we have found a few interesting facts about how to dress for an interview in fashion. Though there is no thumb rule as to what is right & what is wrong when it comes to the attire for an interview, there are certain facts that one should be aware of. So let’s get straight to the sum and substance and understand the nuances of dressing right for an interview.
Understand the organization & the position you’re interviewing for:
Since you know the organization you are going to be interviewed for, you can find out about the people you are expected to meet. Check the social media handles of the organization & the key people in the organization. Get to understand their culture, and look at what they wear inside the office and at social gatherings. The most important people for you to look at will be the members of the team that you will join if you get selected. It’s about fitting well into the team & culture of the organization. So do your homework thoroughly & dress aptly based on your research.
Be yourself:
Choose clothing that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Look like your natural self even after understanding what the organization expects. You have to find the best match between the former and the latter. If you try to overdo things just to match the expectations, the interviewer will easily judge that from your level of comfort.
Follow this simple advice while dressing for an interview. Wear what makes you feel comfortable because that is what is going to make you feel good. Only when you feel good & comfortable, you can think clearly and communicate well. To make your interview a success, you should not be worrying about what you are wearing & how you look, however, you should be completely focused on the core component of the interview i.e. the questions you are being asked. In the end, people will remember you for what you said in the interview, not what you were wearing.
Choice of colors:
The only thing that you have to keep in mind is to not wear something too bright or gaudy. Every second candidate you are competing with will probably wear grey, black, or blue. You can make a difference by choosing a color that looks suitable yet differentiates you from the crowd. A light-tone shirt with dark trousers/skirt is the most popular and widely used combo. Don’t forget to look at your skin tone before you choose the colors. As fashion designers, you must already know what suits you well for different skin tones.
Having done the research and understanding your comfort, let’s now look at the acceptable options of clothing for interviews:
Formals for women
A tailored dress with a matching jacket or suit pants or skirt with a matching jacket.
Formals for men
Suit pants and a jacket with a button-down shirt and tie.
Business casuals for women
Black or navy dress pants or pencil skirt
A button-down shirt and cardigan or jacket
Flats or heels are appropriate
Business casuals for men
Black or navy dress slacks with a belt, button-down shirt, and tie
A blazer is optional
Casuals for women
Dark jeans, a blouse, and a cardigan
A knee-length skirt and button-down shirt or blouse
Both options can be worn with flats or heels, avoid open-toe shoes
Casuals for men
Dark jeans or slacks and a button-down shirt or polo
Any closed-toe shoes are neat and clean.
