HOW TO DRESS FOR AN INTERVIEW

JANELLE SESSOMS

So you’ve officially got the email saying you are moving forward to interviews. Fantastic! But preparing for the interview itself is only half the battle. Now you have to come up with the perfect attire to wear. Believe it not, how you show up dressed to an interview can play a bigger factor than you would think. This is the first impression a company will have about you. Even if you have amazing answers to the questions, if you’re not dressed appropriately, it can take away from your overall performance.

With that being said, choosing an outfit for interviews is supposed to be a fun occasion. Especially with wanting to pursue a career in fashion, you have the ability to have a little more fun with wardrobe choices. To make sure you nail your outfit, Fashion Fundamentals has come up with a list of tips and tricks to use when dressing for an interview.

DON’T OVER ACCESSORIZE

Do not feel inclined to bring out every piece of jewelry in your jewelry box for an interview. Less is actually more in this situation. Getting blinged out and can be relatively distracting, so try to air on the side of simplicity for accessories. You can sport cute standout earrings with a complementary necklace and call it a day, or you can wear a chic necklace with a couple rings to match. There are different variations to play around with for your accessory game, just make sure not to overdo it.

BE PROFESSIONAL

It’s true that in the fashion industry there is a bit more leniency when it comes to professional attire. However, keep in mind this is still a workplace and a professional environment. T-shirts, tank tops, crop tops, sneakers and short dresses aren’t going to cut it. Remember the dress code everyone was supposed to follow in high school? You know, the fingertip length skirts, no cleavage and no spaghetti straps? Channel that high school dress code energy into your interview apparel. You are here to be taken seriously and your outfit needs to reflect that. There are definitely still ways to have fun with interview outfits. You can wear a colorful blouse for pops of color or have statement earrings to bring the outfit together. But notice that these fun styling moments are still professional and aren’t distracting for the interviewer.

DRESS PERSONABLY

Dress comfortably and true to who you are. Interviews are the first impression a potential employer will have on you, so make sure that you are dressed as yourself. Especially when wanting to work in fashion, it’s important you show your own style. Don’t ever feel pressured to conform into something that you’re not. Most interviewers can tell when you look and feel uncomfortable. So make sure you're giving them a sense of your own personal style and aesthetic. Of course keep in mind that you still need to look polished, but don’t hesitate to combine personal flairs here and there with professional attire.

REFRAIN FROM LOUD PRINTS

As great as it is to be comfortable, you want to make sure your clothes aren’t overpowering the room. Wearing loud prints and patterns pieces or showing up completely in a head-to-toe print look may be a little too much. Throughout the interview, the main focus should be on you and not on your apparel. If you are someone that loves to showcase your love for prints, there are definitely still ways to channel that energy in a more appropriate way. You can compensate by wearing a blouse or dress pants that are a brighter color for that extra pop. You can wear a solid color blazer that shows teases of print at the collar or sleeve cuffs. You can also incorporate prints into your jewelry by wearing funky earrings or an interesting ring. There are ways to incorporate your fun side in interview outfits, simply be conscious that it’s not done in an overpowering manner.

FRESH FACE AND MANICURED NAILS

Knowing what to wear for interviews includes thinking about skin care and your beauty routine. While on individual levels we may have different makeup looks, everyone needs to have a minimum of a fresh and clean face with manicured nails. When I say manicured nails, I don’t necessarily mean having professionally painted nails. Your nails should be evenly filed and never show up with chipped nail polish. Painted nails need to have a fresh looking coat or taken completely off if otherwise. As for the face, it should have a fresh and clean look to it. Carry around a bottle of face mist spray in your bag in case you need quick refresher right before an interview. Your beauty should be as on point as your fashion.