Interviewing Attire

BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING

Business Professional dress wear is a slightly more relaxed version of formal interviewing attire. It gives both men and women a little more scope with what they can wear without being too relaxed. As the word professional denotes, this dress style is still very much professional in its outlay. So when choosing what outfit to wear, keep this fact in mind

The ideal business professional look for men can vary.
It should be worn either with slacks or dress trousers, although does not have to be worn with a full suit. It can consist of either a long or short sleeved dress shirt, but as this is still very much a formal style of dress, it should be worn with a tie, (although the business professional look allows for some flexibility, so you can add some flair and wear a bow tie in its place if you wish). The rest of a business professional outfit should consist of dark socks, conservative dress shoes, neatly trimmed nails, neatly trimmed or shaved facial hair, neat and presentable hair (close cropped is not a prerequisite but is normally most effective in conveying this), with very little jewellery or accessories. (See accessories page).
Finishing off the look with a briefcase or portfolio is normally best, and a belt should still be worn with your choice of outfit too

For women, it can consist of things like a trouser or skirt suit worn with a long-sleeved dress shirt and tie, as well as variations on the skirt suit being with or without tights. Pantsuits are also another option, and these strike a nice balance between stylish and formal in a business professional setting. Dark socks with dress shoes or low-heeled shoes should also be worn. (Remember that low heels are sometimes a good option for someone who is particularly short, because on a subconscious level people tend to respond better to someone who is taller in stature).
For women, nails should be manicured, and may be painted, ideally in light neutral colours, beige/nude/ light pink are the best. (Although do not wear long or fake nails – keep the nail to fingertip length or just beyond the fingertip at most). Your goal is for your nails to look nice and very presentable, but not so much so that they are highly noticeable and draw undue attention during the interview.
Hair variations are more varied for women as well. There is no defined preference, so you should wear it in a way you feel best enhances your appearance. With that being said, hairstyles should be simple, such as ponytail or bun, and for woman shoulder length hair is considered a good length for interviewing. (It’s best to wear it in a style where it is tied back, or at the very least in a style that is not free flowing – to avoid having to remove it from your face which can be distracting when speaking). Again, your outfit should be worn with very little jewellery or accessories. (See accessories tab).
A briefcase or portfolio in place of your regular handbag is the right way to finish off a look for business professional interview attire

Remember that everything you have on, or take with you, should look need and tidy.
Always iron your clothes and polish your shoes at least 24hrs before the interview.
Men should wear a matching belt with the outfit they have on.
If wearing a skirt, make sure it is the appropriate length, which is either just above or below the knee. Women have the option of wearing pantyhose or not. If you find yourself in this dilemma and can’t decide which to choose, a good rule is to always choose the more conservative option, which is to wear them




CLOTHING OPTIONS FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
(Neutral Colours)

MEN’S NEUTRAL INTERVIEW COLOURS – Upper Body
Men’s Suit (Jacket) – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Men’s Suit (Vest) – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Waistcoat – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Sweater – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Long sleeved shirt, Short sleeved shirt, Dress Shirt – Black, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Blue or Dark Blue
Tie/ Bowtie – Black, Navy, Beige

WOMEN’S NEUTRAL INTERVIEW COLOURS – Upper Body
Women’s Suit (Jacket) – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Women’s Suit (Vest) – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Waistcoat – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Sweater – Black, Navy, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Beige
Long sleeved shirt, Short sleeved shirt, Dress Shirt – White, Black, Dark Brown, Dark Gray, Blue or Dark Blue
Tie – Black, Navy, Beige  

MEN’S NEUTRAL INTERVIEW COLOURS – Lower Body
Suit Trousers/ Dress trousers – Black, Dark Brown, Navy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige
Slacks – Black, Dark Brown, Navy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige

WOMEN’S NEUTRAL INTERVIEW COLOURS – Lower Body
Women’s Suit (trousers) – Black, Dark Brown, Navy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige
Pantsuit – Black, Dark Brown, Navy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige
Suit Skirt – Black, Dark Brown, Navy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige
Dress trousers – Black, Dark Brown, Navy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige
Pantyhose – black or nude-coloured, if your outfit is darker than your shoes, choose nude-coloured tights or stockings instead

MEN’S NEUTRAL INTERVIEW COLOURS – Shoes
Shoes – Black, Dark Brown

WOMEN’S NEUTRAL INTERVIEW – Shoes
Shoes – Black, Dark Brown
High heeled dress shoes up to 3inches – Black, Dark Brown, Dark Blue




CLOTHING OPTIONS FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
(Bright Colours)

MEN’S BRIGHT INTERVIEW COLOURS – Upper Body
Men’s Suit (Jacket) – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Men’s Suit (Vest) – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Waistcoat – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Sweater – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Long sleeved shirt, Short sleeved shirt, Dress Shirt – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Tie – Blue, Striped (Mixed colours), white

WOMEN’S BRIGHT INTERVIEW COLOURS – Upper Body
Women’s Suit (Jacket) – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Women’s Suit (Vest) – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Waistcoat – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Sweater – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Long sleeved shirt, Short sleeved shirt, Dress Shirt – White, Blue/ Light Blue, Pink, Purple
Tie – Blue, Striped (Mixed colours), white, Purple  

MEN’S BRIGHT INTERVIEW COLOURS – Lower Body
Trousers/ Dress Trousers – White, Blue/ Light Blue
Slacks – White, Blue/ Light Blue

WOMEN’S BRIGHT INTERVIEW COLOURS – Lower Body
Women’s Suit (trousers) – White, Blue/ Light Blue, Pink, Purple
Pantsuit – White, Blue/ Light Blue, Pink, Purple
Suit Skirt – White, Blue/ Light Blue, Pink, Purple
Dress Trousers – White, Blue/ Light Blue, Pink, Purple

MEN’S BRIGHT INTERVIEW COLOUR – Shoes
Shoes – White, Blue

WOMEN’S BRIGHT INTERVIEW COLOUR – Shoes
Shoes – White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green, Light Blue, Pink, Purple
High heeled dress shoes up to 3inches – White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green, Light Blue, Pink, Purple

Suggestions for Business Professional outfits
The list below contains suggestions for business professional outfits. While this list is by no means a comprehensive one, it may provide some useful ideas if you’re struggling to come up with an outfit for your next interview. While more varied than business formal dress wear, additional choices for both men and women are perhaps still limited when it comes to business professional attire, due to the fact that it’s still largely formal in nature

Mens

Men’s suit (Suit Vest and trousers), with long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie/ bowtie, and black socks with dress shoes that match the colour of your suit

Men’s suit (Suit and trousers), with long-sleeved dress shirt. Worn with a bowtie, black socks, and dress shoes

Men’s dress trousers or slacks, with long-sleeved, short-sleeved, or dress shirt. Worn with a tie/ bowtie, and black socks with dress shoes

Waistcoat co-ordinated with dress trousers, with long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie/ bowtie, and black socks with dark dress shoes

Dark sweater and matching colour dress trousers or slacks. Worn with a tie/ bowtie, black socks, and dress shoes that match the colour of the rest of your outfit

Blazer, with dress trousers and long-sleeved shirt. Worn with a tie, black socks, and dress shoes

Womens

Women’s dress trousers, with a long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie and black socks, along with dress shoes or low heels

Women’s suit skirt, with long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie and black socks or pantyhose, along with dress shoes or low heels

Women’s suit (Suit Vest and trousers), with long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie and black socks, along with dress shoes or low heels that match the colour of the suit

Women’s suit (Suit Vest and skirt), with long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie, black socks or pantyhose, and dress shoes or low heels that match the colour of the suit

Pantsuit, with long-sleeved or dress shirt. Worn with a tie, black socks, and dress shoes or low heels that match the colour of the suit

Women’s suit (Suit and trousers), with a long-sleeved dress shirt. Worn with a bowtie, black socks, and dress shoes or low heels

Blazer, with dress trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. Worn with a tie, black socks, and dress shoes or low heels