Formal dress code for women:

If you go for Indian formals, use plain cotton sarees or salwar

kameez with plain dupatta. Avoid low-cut necklines. Prefer light

pastel shades.don’t use very colorful clothes.

When choosing western formals use plain light colored blouse with

formal trouser or skirt of conservative length up to the knee. Prefer

dark shades for the trouser . a blazer or conservative suit can be

used in an interview.

Avoid too much make up and use simple jewellery.

Use low-heels.

Dress code for interviews, for women?

Wearing the right attire makes all the difference when you want to make an impression,
and when going for interviews, one should wear smart clothes. This could be either
Indian or western, but something appropriate. Many Indian women seem to go for
interviews wearing a salwar kameez with a lot of glitter or where the dupatta keeps
sliding off and they are left fidgeting with it.
Women are very conscious of their appearance, and tend to keep
adjusting their outfit or wiping their face, fumbling around, all of
which are signs of being stressed.
Vidya Rajagopalan, an IT consultant based out of the US quips, “Women walk in for an
interview wearing bold colours with strong perfumes that startle the interviewer.” Wearing
loud colours, chunky jewellery, carrying a gold or similar handbag are all not appreciated
during interviews. Mudita says, “Women need to learn about  corporate culture and the
position applied for when they dress for interviews.”
Aarti Christeen, who used to work with a PR firm also says, “Women are very conscious
of their appearance, and tend to keep adjusting their outfit or wiping their face, fumbling
around, all of which are signs of being stressed”.
Men
 Regular formal shirts, preferably in solids (no stripes or checks)
 Coordinated and sober/conservative colors
 Ties in India are not a practice
 Belt should be the same color as your shoes. If wearing black or navy blue trousers, wear a
black belt, black shoes, and black or navy blue socks
 A watch and/or one ring can be appropriate
 Formal shoes should be polished and in good condition
 Ensure that your clothes fit you well
 Undergarments should not be visible
 Clothing should not be transparent or form fitting

Women
 Formal shirt or blouse with formal trousers/slacks
 Indian formal wear (salwar kameez/sarees) is fine but should be sober
 If you are wearing a skirt it should be knee-length or longer
 Jewelry should be minimal and subtle
 Neckline should be conservative and not low
 Shoes should be a dark color (black, brown, navy), closed-toe, with a low or flat heel
 Undergarments should not be visible
 Clothing should not be transparent, nor form fitting
 Handbags should be well-kept, moderate in size, neat in appearance

What to Wear to A Job Interview:

Men’s Etiquette Attire Quiz
09 JAN 2012BY: DIANE GOTTSMAN12 COMMENTS
 After posting last week’s attire quiz, we
received an overwhelming amount of feedback from the guys who wanted a
similar quiz. You asked and we answered…

What To Wear to A Job Interview: Men’s Attire Quiz

1. True or False: A charcoal gray suit and black loafers with a prominent

designer buckle is the mark of professional polish.

False. A pair of loafers detracts from the professionalism of your sharp

looking charcoal gray suit. And while you are at it, get rid of that big buckle
on the side of your shoe – unless you are dressed down and casual. P. S.
Toss the square toes and tire- tread soles.

2. True or False: A crisp white shirt is a boring choice and shouldn’t be

worn unless you want to come across as lacking personality.

False. Oh contraire! A nicely pressed, crisp white shirt is the most

powerfulcolor choice and should be a staple in every executive wardrobe.
Wait for a sale and buy them by the bushel.

3. True or False: A black suit is the best option when interviewing for a
job.

False. Black is a harsh color and can easily come across as morbid, severe
and unflattering to a sallow complexion. Select a dark gray or dark
navy suit as a better alternative.

4. True or False: Never wear red to a job interview.

False. If you are considering wearing your holiday velvet red jacket to your
job interview, the answer is a resounding “NO!” however; a tasteful repp
tie with a splash of deep red attracts attention to your face and leaves a
favorable first impression.

5. True or False: During the hot summer months, a good quality linen

sports jacket sends the message of “cool and confident”.

False. There is nothing cool or confident about a wrinkled item of clothing.

You’re best choice is a 100% worsted wool suit, which will breathe and
allow you to feel and look cool and confident…sans the wrinkles.

6. True or False: An expensive watch with a splash of a few diamonds

enhances a man’s style.

False. Your employer may wonder what you have been selling or
embezzling if you are applying for your first job wearing so much bling. The
mostprofessional choice is a conservative watch with a leather or link band.
And, no, a sport watch with a suit is another job interview faux pas.

7. True or False: When walking in to your job interview, all three

buttons of your suit jacket should be buttoned, until you sit down.

False. The standard rule is Sometimes-Always-Never, button the first button

sometimes, the second button always and never button the third button. And
speaking of never, don’t attempt to wear a 4-button suit unless you are very
tall, lean and play for a winning basketball team.

8. True or False: The most professional shoe choice is

a classic leather lace up.

True. While it would be very tempting to slip on your broken in Sperry’s, it

would be to your advantage to invest in a good pair of professional looking
shoes to complete your corporate look. Again, wait for sales or check the
outlet stores and buy the best quality shoe you can afford.

9. True or False: Your socks should match your pants.

True. Your socks should match the color of your trousers rather than your
shoes. Why? Because if your socks are the exact color of your shoes it will
give the illusion of a boot – and wearing boots with a suit is a big no no!
And, that’s right guys, even if you live in Texas…boots do not belong at a
job interview (for more of my Texas rant see number 13).

10. True or False: Shoes with tassels are a good business shoe investment.

True. Unless the tassel is the size of a pompom, a nice leather shoe with a
conservative tassel is a good choice for a Casual Friday look.

11. True or False: If your interviewer suggests you wear Business Casual

to the second interview you are safe to wear jeans and a golf shirt.

False. Unless stated in their company policy manual, (and you don’t know
because you have not been hired yet!), the most appropriate Business
Casual choice is a nice pair of slacks, a button down shirt, a sport coat and
a good quality pair of leather loafers.

12. True or False: A sport coat always requires a tie.

False. A sport coat is a casual, yet professional version of Business

Casualand does not require a tie.

13. Question from a reader: I’m from Texas; can I wear my boots to a job

interview?

Please listen very carefully …absolutely, positively, absolutely not. I am

sorry, BUT, we already fight a stereotype here in Texas and contrary to
popular belief, not everyone drives a truck, owns a horse, milks a cow and
wears a 10-gallon hat. If you are applying for a job in ranching, farming, or
drilling, wear your boots with pride and discretion, but if you are applying
for a conservative position at a bank, law office or accounting firm, in or
out of the state of Texas, refer to numbers 1 – 12! Take this advice and you
can consider this bullet “Lucky 13!”

Good luck on your job interview.

What To Wear

What kind of suit is appropriate for the business

interview?
 Women should opt for a fashionable business suit in a low-key color such as navy, black or
gray. Patterns are acceptable if they are extremely subtle, such as a fine dress tweed or pin stripe
 The jacket should have long sleeves, with a straight or pleated skirt
 A coatdress, with clean, simple lines, is also acceptable attire
 Men should wear a clean and professionally pressed two-piece, single-breasted suit in navy,
black or charcoal, wool or wool blend, and solid or very thin pinstripes
 Your suit should always be worn with an all-cotton, well-ironed white or possibly light
blue,long sleeved dress shirt

Where can I shop to find an inexpensive suit?

 You can find suits, dress shirts, blouses, and shoes that are very inexpensive and in good
taste atthrift shops, discount stores, consignment shops and outlet stores
 Remember that the key is a simple style in a conservative color
 If you find a dark suit with contrasting buttons, replace them with buttons the color of the suit
 Have the suit cleaned and professionally pressed

I have only one suit. How can I change my look?

 Wearing a different tie or shirt can dramatically change the look of your suit
 A woman can accent her basic outfit with a different blouse, a scarf, or a simple small pin

Can I wear a pantsuit to the interview?

A pantsuit can be very smart and professional looking provided that the jacket is tailored to fit with
matching slacks and is worn with a simple no frill blouse

Does it matter what kind of tie I wear?

Yes. You should wear a silk tie in a simple stripe or repeating pattern, with no more than three colors.
The background color should be neutral perhaps navy, dark gray or burgundy.
What are the appropriate shoes to wear?
 For men, shoes should be leather, black or brown, and polished with no worn down heels.
Thewing tip and other plain lace-up shoes are the traditional footwear. Slip-ons work as well if they
are dressy and in good taste
 Business socks should be over-the-calf, never ankle length or even slightly droopy,
and should match your pants or shoes. Never wear white gym socks
 For women, the best shoes are plain pumps with one to two inch heels. You can go higher if
you don’t feel tall enough, but make sure you can still walk quickly and steadily. Shoes should be of
high quality leather in black or the color of your suit
 Wear sheer stockings in a skin tone

I was told to dress casually for my interview - what

is casual?
 Appropriate business casual is usually a pair of slacks, shirt, and sports jacket
 Never wear jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sandals or boots to an interview

What about accessories?

 Women can carry a small, simple purse
 Men, if you are not yet in the habit of carrying a wallet, now is the time to start, and the place
for it is in one of the inner chest pockets of your suit
 A briefcase is not necessary. However, a leather portfolio or notebook holder is a good idea for
on-site interviews; on campus, a notebook to hold a few extra resumes would be appropriate
 Now is the time to wean yourself from your faithful backpack

What kind of jewelry should I wear?

Women should wear post or simple earrings, no dangles. Too much jewelry or the wrong jewelry can be
considered distracting and can elicit negative responses. Men should wear a watch.

I have worn an earring throughout my college

years. Is it okay, as a man, to wear it to my
interview?
It is not in your best interest to wear your earring because it breaks the rule of executive dress. This
style of jewelry is acceptable when you are with your friends or even in some work environments, but it
is not appropriate for the job interview.
Is it appropriate to wear perfume or cologne?
No, don’t wear any scent at all. The most appreciated scent is your natural, fresh smell after a bath or
shower. Do use a deodorant after bathing. Avoid smoking in your interviewing outfit. Cigarette odors
can cling to your clothes for several hours and many people find this odor offensive.

Should I wear make-up?

If you choose to wear make-up, keep it understated. Opt for a healthy, natural look. Your nails should be
short with clear or pale polish.

Should I cut my hair to look more professional?

It is not necessary for you to cut your hair, but you should wear it in a neat, clean, and groomed style, off
your face. Men should shave and trim their mustache. Beards are probably best grown after you get
thejob.

Do these guidelines apply to all organizations, or

just the corporate world? What if I’m interviewing
for a job with a less formal environment?
Every industry has its own requirements, and knowing what to wear on the day of the interview is vitally
important. Always think about the impression you want to make and what clothes will help make that
impression. If you are interviewing for a job in a less formal environment, then it may be acceptable for
men to wear slacks, a sports coat and a shirt and tie. Women can wear a simple dress or matching
skirt/slacks and blouse. 

How can I learn more about appropriate interview

attire?
The CDC's Career Resource Library contains numerous publications that deal with the subject of
Interview Attire.

Dress Your Best When Interviewing

Does it really make a difference how you dress for an interview? In many cases, it does. I'll
never forget the gentleman I interviewed for an accounting position. He had been out of
work for a few months and wanted to show me why. He took off his jacket, unbuttoned his
shirt and started to pull down his pants (this is a true story) to show me the scar from a
boat propeller that had injured him. He didn't get the job. Neither did the young lady in a
bright red skirt so short and tight that she could hardly sit down!
In the conservative business climate I worked in at the time, appearances did matter. In
other environments it isn't as important. However, it does make sense to dress your best
for the interview, regardless of the dress code at the organization.

If you're in doubt about how to dress for an interview, it is best to err on the side of
conservatism. It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed (or undressed). If
you're not sure, check with the person who scheduled the interview and ask. Here's advice
onwhat colors to wear to a job interview and what not to wear to a job interview.

According to Kim Zoller at Image Dynamics, 55% of another person's perception of you is
based on how you look. Her Dressing for Success information gives some tips on how to
look your best, without necessarily spending a lot of money. Here's a quick look at the
basics:

Women's Interview Attire

 Solid color, conservative suit
 Coordinated blouse
 Moderate shoes
 Limited jewelry
 Neat, professional hairstyle
 Tan or light hosiery
 Sparse make-up & perfume
 Manicured nails
 Portfolio or briefcase
Here are examples of what to wear for women:
 Interview Outfits for Women
Men's Interview Attire
 Solid color, conservative suit
 White long sleeve shirt
 Conservative tie
 Dark socks, professional shoes
 Very limited jewelry
 Neat, professional hairstyle
 Go easy on the aftershave
 Neatly trimmed nails
 Portfolio or briefcase

Here are examples of interview clothes for men: