It's best to err on the side of caution.
The answer isn't always cut and dry, but jeans are generally never appropriate interview attire, even if you're a student, you're applying for a part-time or hourly wage job, or you're interviewing with a tech company.
Keep tight, revealing, and hole-filled clothing off your list of options. Anything that shows underclothing, cleavage, too much skin, or midriffs is unacceptable. While ripped and tight clothing can make a positive impact and can be trendy, it would be detrimental in a job interview.
What is inappropriate to wear to an interview? Flip-flops, leggings or yoga pants, and overly revealing clothing are inappropriate items of clothing to wear to an interview. Depending on the type of job that you are applying to, there may be some variations of what you can wear but you should avoid wearing those items.
Retail Interview Outfits FAQ
Yes, you can wear dark jeans to a retail job interview. Khakis or dress pants are always the best choice, but dark, neat jeans paired with a dressy top can also be appropriate for a retail interview.
Casual Environment
Remember you don't want to go too casual, you still want to make a good impression. The following guidelines will help you choose the right outfit for a casual interview. Wear smart slacks or dark coloured jeans, tailored jeans are often best for interviews. A knee length or midi skirt can also work.
A bad attitude: This can include a lot of different unprofessional behaviors like gossiping, complaining, always interrupting, lying, over-sharing, or in general just having a sour attitude towards your team members and your projects.
The way you dress for an interview gives potential employers their first impression of how you present yourself professionally. Even if you look great on paper, if you don't dress appropriately for an interview, you give the impression that you lack respect for yourself and those you are meeting with.
A clean and neat professional appearance is an important step in making a good first impression. You want the interviewer to focus on you and your skills not your clothes. Dress as you want to be seen: professional, successful, and the kind of person the company wants to represent it.
Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions. Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others). Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
Dress pants, pencil skirts, knee-length dresses, blazers, neutral or light-colored blouses, sweaters, cardigans, tights, and suits are all acceptable forms of interview attire. Dress shoes should be closed-toed heels, flats, or short boots.
When the dress code states business casual, you're good to go with jeans. Any person who sets a business casual dress code – for an office or an event – is expecting to see jeans.
Black jeans are often a great choice for a business casual office. Pairing the perfect pair of black jeans with the right shirt and quality shoes will help them to fit in the workplace, while still showcasing their wearer's personal sense of style.
In an interview setting, black is a good choice, just don't wear too much of it. Like white, black pairs nicely with most other interview colors. Black says you respect the formality of the interview and the authority of the hiring company. Avoid matching black with brown, charcoal, or dark grey.
A safe bet is a very dark wash of denim or a black pair. If you chose to wear denim like this, make sure they have a polished fit. Men can also wear a dark or black pair of jeans with a blazer if they think it's appropriate. Always wear a dressier top if you are wearing jeans for your interview.
Avoid: Red
In some cases, red works for interviews — but you have to be careful. Wearing red can portray you as powerful, according to the CareerBuilder survey. However, because it is such a high-power and high-energy color, it can become a bit jarring and overtake a room.
First impressions matter — especially in the workplace. And one of the first things your potential employer will notice about you is your appearance. Even if your stellar resume makes you look good on paper, you still need to present yourself in a professional, well-groomed manner to ensure you look good in person.
We all know that looks aren't everything, but it's true that your appearance can have a major impact on your career prospects. Learn how to dress confidently for the job you have, or the one you want, and feel comfortable in your skin on those days when you need to make a great impression.
Many interviews in Australia can be aced dressing in smart-casual attire. Wear clothing that is professional but not too over the top. When choosing what to wear to a job interview, typically it's safest to find something neat and simple. After all, you want to showcase yourself, not the clothes you're wearing!
For males, it is recommended to wear khakis or nice pair of jeans (darker wash, no holes and not faded) and a nice button down or polo to an interview. Moreover, women can still lean towards a nice pair of jeans and top but it is also recommended to wear slacks and a nice top or casual dress.
You should wear a suit to interviews. “Suit” means the works: a matching jacket and pants, dress shirt, tie, coordinating socks and dress shoes. A dark-colored suit with light colored shirt is your best option. Your suit should be comfortable and fit you well so that you look and act your best.
Can you wear jeans in smart casual? Generally, jeans are acceptable for smart casual dress codes, but you'll want to stick with a darker wash, without any rips or distressing. If you're worried about being underdressed in denim, try a pair of chinos instead.