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What Should a Female Wear to a Job Interview?

February 26, 2025
Edited by
5
min read

What to wear to an interview can be a huge decision for many candidates. With companies going more casual these days, the decision can be even harder. You want to look professional but also feel good.

You can't always find out if the company has a dress code before your job interview though, so it's important to be mindful. In this article, we will focus on women and what they should wear to an interview.

Women want to make sure they aren't underdressed but don't always want to wear a black suit. Let's dive into what is appropriate interview attire in a few different types of companies.

Business Casual Interview

If the company you are interviewing at is business casual, make sure you look professional. Your interview outfit should lean more toward business than casual. It's always safer for both women and men to be overdressed rather than underdressed.

You may not feel comfortable wearing a suit though. In fact, many women don't even own a suit.

If you're in this category, you don't need to rush out and buy a power suit. You most likely have plenty of professional enough interview outfits in your closet.

When interviewing for jobs, candidates tend to perform better when they are wearing something they feel good in. Here are some interview outfits women might consider wearing to an upcoming job interview at a business casual company.

  • A pencil skirt and blouse or dress shirt
  • Dress pants with a dress shirt or blazer
  • A dress with a blazer or sweater
  • Dark pants with a blouse and blazer

Make sure whatever you chose to wear, you keep it simple and clean. Dark colors like black, navy and dark grey always look good.

Even if you are wearing pants, you still want to look professional so avoid tears and holes. Dress shoes can also help tie an outfit together.

Conservative Interview

Women interviewing at an office with a conservative company culture might consider wearing a suit. Keep whatever you choose to wear conservative. Dark colors work best. If you don't have a black suit, navy or a dark shade of grey are other options.

You can still look conservative and professional without wearing a suit. Here are a few other options for women interviewing at a conservative company.

  • Dress pants a blouse and a blazer
  • A dress with a blazer or cardigan
  • A skirt with a formal top
  • A pencil skirt with a blouse and blazer

Women interviewing at a conservative company should keep their legs and toes covered. Make sure you put on a pair of stockings or tights if wearing a dress or skirt. Also, you should never wear sandals or open-toed shoes to a conservative office.

When applying for a position at a conservative company, women should pay extra attention to what they wear to an interview.

Some of these companies are still old fashioned, so be mindful. With conservative companies, a black suit might be your best option.

Casual Interview

For a casual company, you want to get your interview outfit right while still showing your personality. Getting dressed for a casual interview can be one of the hardest for women. You still want to look polished when making your choices.

Remember, casual does not mean messy. It's important to look clean and neat. Here are some great options if you are interviewing at an office with a casual company culture.

  • Dark blue or black jeans with a blouse
  • Clean and neat jeans with a blazer
  • A smart looking dress with a jacket
  • A skirt with a blouse or dressy top

The key is to keep it simple. You don't want your interview attire to be what the hiring manager remembers about you.

Tips for women when it comes to interview attire

Regardless of the type of company you are interviewing for, what you wear on the day of your interview should make you feel great. You want to show the company you are the right person for the job. Now, here are some general tips for women who are interviewing.

  • If you wear a light color on top, make sure it's not see-through.
  • Your clothes should fit well and not be wrinkled.
  • Your interview outfit should be clean and not visibly worn out.
  • A woman's hair should be clean and brushed.
  • Dark colors are always safe for interview outfits.
  • If you wear jeans, make sure they are tailored and generally dark blue or black.
  • Follow the company's dress code.
  • Your interview outfit should show your personal style.

Women should keep a balance between their personal fashion style and dressing professionally. You want to dress for success. Every choice you make when interviewing can affect you getting the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I determine the appropriate dress code for a job interview at a company with a casual work environment?

Are there specific colors I should consider wearing to a job interview to make a good impression?

Is it acceptable to wear flats to a job interview, or should I opt for heels?

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Dave Fano

Dave Fano

David Fano is a hiring expert and career strategist with 20+ years of experience building and scaling high-performing teams. Over his career, he’s hired more than 4,000 people and reviewed hundreds of thousands of resumes—giving him firsthand insight into how hiring decisions are made. Dave has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, NPR, and NBC News, sharing his expertise on hiring, job applications, and career strategy. He’s seen how the traditional career ladder is full of outdated rules—while companies have access to better tools and data than the people they hire. As the Founder & CEO of Teal, Dave is out to change that. He’s leveraging technology to give professionals the same advantages companies have—helping them build stronger resumes, position themselves for better opportunities, and take control of their careers with confidence. You can connect with Dave on LinkedIn, where he shares insights on resumes, job applications, today’s job market, and his favorite topic: career growth on your terms.

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