Dress For Success
As you begin interacting with employers and interviewing for jobs or postgraduate programs, you will need to purchase some professionally appropriate attire so you can make the best possible first impression.
For remote or virtual jobs or interviews, it's at least important to be dressed professionally from the waist up.
Business Casual Attire
Business casual attire blends the formality of traditional business wear with a more comfortable—but still professional—style. It's what you would wear for most small-scale recruiting events, including information sessions, networking events, mixers, and job talks. Many employers have a business casual dress code for employees.
Options for Women
- Dress shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, or other neat-looking top styles
- Khakis or other professional slacks, dark jeans without holes, or knee-length skirts or dresses
- Clean, polished boots or closed-toe shoes (oxfords, flats, pumps) made of leather or another high-quality material
- Belt that matches your shoes (if desired)
- Blazer or cardigan (if desired)
- Professional accessories such as scarves or jewelry (if desired)
- Purse or professional bag made of leather or another good-quality material, in a neutral color
Options for Men
- Dress shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, or other neat-looking top styles
- Khakis or other professional slacks or dark jeans without holes
- Clean, polished boots or closed-toe shoes of leather or another high-quality material
- Belt that matches your shoes (if desired)
- Sport coat and/or tie (if desired)
- Professional bag made of leather or another good-quality material, in a neutral color
Gender-Neutral Options
- Dress shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, or other neat-looking top styles
- Khakis or other professional slacks or dark jeans without holes
- Clean, polished boots or closed-toe shoes made of leather or another high-quality material
- Belt that matches your shoes (if desired)
- Professional bag made of leather or another good-quality material, in a neutral color
Business Professional Attire
Business professional attire is what most people think of as traditional interview clothing—conservative in style and usually dark in color. Regardless of how you might ultimately dress in your job or program, business professional attire is always appropriate for an interview or career fair, even if you don't wear it much otherwise.
Options for Women
- Solid-color business suit, preferably in a dark color like navy blue, gray, or black, with either a knee-length skirt or pants
- Coordinated blouse or shirt that isn’t tight, sheer, lacy, or low-cut
- Neutral or light-colored hosiery
- Clean, polished dress shoes that coordinate with your suit; avoid peep-toe styles or anything with a heel higher than 2"
- Purse or professional bag or briefcase made of leather or another good-quality material, in a neutral color
Options for Men
- Solid-color business suit, preferably in a dark color like navy blue, gray, or black
- White or light-colored long-sleeve shirt, with an undershirt if shirt material is thin
- Properly knotted tie in a small pattern or stripe; a bright color is okay
- Leather or leather-look belt worn at—not below—the waist
- Dark socks that coordinate with your suit
- Clean, polished dress shoes in black or another dark color
- Professional bag or briefcase made of leather or another good-quality material, in a neutral color
Gender-Neutral Options
- Matching jacket and slacks in a color such as navy blue, dark gray, or black
- Dark socks or stockings that coordinate with your outfit
- Lighter-colored dress shirt or top
- Belt that matches your shoes (if desired)
- Clean, polished closed-toe dress shoes made of leather or another high-quality material in a dark color that coordinates with your outfit
- Professional bag or briefcase made of leather or another good-quality material, in a neutral color
Grooming Tips
In either business casual or business professional settings, aim for a natural, well-groomed look:
- All clothing items should be clean, pressed, and free of holes and stains.
- Keep hair neatly styled and out of your face.
- Nails should be clean.
- Avoid wearing strongly scented personal grooming products.
- If possible, hide tattoos.
- Jewelry should be non-distracting.
See our Pinterest pages for examples of business casual and business professional looks.
