The color of your suit should depend on the company you’re interviewing with. If you’re interviewing in a conservative industry, like law or finance, you’ll want something in dark colors—black or navy blue. You can also wear dark brown, but it’s not recommended unless you’re interviewing for a job at a startup or other company that’s more casual.

If you’re interviewing in a creative industry, such as design or media, you may want to consider wearing something in either light gray or navy blue (but not both). Light gray is a great choice for these types of interviews because it shows that you’re calm and confident—and it can give off a sense of professionalism without being too formal.

Whatever color suit you choose, be sure that it fits well and has no loose threads or holes in the fabric. It should also be pressed before your interview so that it looks crisp and clean!

In today’s job market, in which companies might interview dozens of people for one position, first impressions are more important than ever.
Interviewees must pay attention to everything from what they wear and how they are groomed to their body language.
One important, and often overlooked, aspect of an interviewee’s first impression is color. The color of your clothing sends a subconscious message to the interviewer about your personality.
Wearing the Right Colors
The right colors can help convey your confidence, professionalism and your ability to fit into an organization’s environment. Below are a few tips for choosing the right colors for your interview attire.
Choose Solids Over Patterns
An important rule of thumb is to try not to be remembered for your attire; you want to wear something that allows the interviewer to focus on your skills and qualifications rather than your wacky style. Wearing solid colors helps ensure that your clothes will not distract.
Solid navy, dark gray, and black suits and dresses in particular look professional without being distracting. Small patterns, like thin pinstripes, are okay as well; the rule of thumb is to select a pattern that is small enough that it looks like a solid from across a room.
Choose Neutrals Over Brights
Again, you do not want to be remembered for your attire; if you wear a very brightly colored suit or dress, you will almost certainly be remembered for your outfit (rather than your job qualifications). Neutral colors – navy, gray, black, and brown – are the best colors for a job interview. White is also an excellent color for a blouse or button-down shirt.
You can certainly add a pop of color to a neutral interview outfit. Pale colors are a great way to add color without appearing too authoritative, and are great for people-friendly jobs such as service positions.
For example, a pale blue blouse under a woman’s dark gray suit can subtly soften a look. A splash of bright, bold color (such as a red scarf or tie) conveys authority, and can be great for managerial positions. However, limit the number of brightly colored items to one, and make sure it is not the dominant color of your outfit. No bright orange suits!
Know the Office Environment
Do a bit of research on the company’s work environment before your interview. You want to wear colors that show you will fit in with the company’s culture. In an office that tends to dress more conservatively, you should definitely stick to neutral, solid colors.
However, in more casual offices, such as some startups and nonprofit organizations, you can feel comfortable wearing a bit more color. Softer colors (such as a pale blue blouse) in particular work well for more casual offices, because they convey a bit of personality without being overwhelming. If you are applying for a job in fashion, or a sales job at a unique clothing store, you might feel free to be a bit more creative in your coloring to show your sense of style.
If you are in any doubt about the company’s culture, it is best to dress conservatively, with neutral, solid colors.
What Different Colors Say
Different colors evoke particular human responses, whether or not we are conscious of them. Below is a list of different colors you might want to wear for an interview, and the emotions they can evoke. Picking the right colors can help you present yourself in a particular way.
Brown – Brown is a neutral color that evokes feelings of calm. It is a great solid, neutral color for any interview.
Blue – Blue, particularly navy, is another great neutral color for interview outfits. Blues convey feelings of calm, trust, and confidence – great qualities for an interviewer to sense in you. Darker blues (like navy) convey authority and confidence. Blue is also many people’s favorite color, and wearing an interviewer’s favorite color will always make a great first impression.
Gray – Gray is another great neutral color for interview outfits. It evokes sophistication and neutrality. Gray is a great color to wear as a suit or dress; it allows you to look powerful, but is not quite as domineering as a black suit or dress.
Black – Black is a very popular color for suits and dresses in interviews. However, black is a very commanding color that conveys a lot of power, authority, and even drama. This is a good color for a job in a conservative environment like a law office, or for an interviewee applying for a high-level executive position. However, black can be a bit overwhelming in a more laid-back office environment, and can make you appear unapproachable. Using black as an accent color (for example, in a scarf or tie) can give you a bit of that sense of authority without being overwhelming.
Red – Red is a bright, powerful color that conveys energy and passion. A pop of red (for example, in a scarf or tie) can convey just the right amount of passion without making you appear too emotional.
White – Crisp and clean, white is a great color for shirts and blouses. The color conveys truth and simplicity, and adds a bit of brightness without being too overwhelming.
Of course, what really matters in an interview are your skills and experience, and how you answer the interviewer’s questions. But in a job market where employers must decide between numerous qualified candidates, the right outfit with the right colors can set you apart from the pack.

Dress for Success: What to Wear for a Video Interview

With the rise of business casual, jeans all day every day, and even yoga pants while working from home, figuring out what to wear to a video interview—or any interview—is no longer a simple matter.

Fortunately, looking good on camera and in an interview can be easy if you remember a few rules. Follow these tips and you’ll dress to impress.

 Why What You Wear Matters

It’s important to remember that your video interview is the first real impression you make with the hiring manager and whoever else you meet during your interview. Even if you’re on video, your attire says the same as it would if you were in person.

 What Colors to Wear in a Video Interview

The concept of color psychology is that the colors we see can impact our moods and perceptions. Though there isn’t much research into the subject, the concept of color psychology is one you should keep in mind as you figure out what to wear in your video interview (or any interview!).

The colors you wear can have a surprising impact on how hiring managers perceive you as a candidate. While the color of your shirt or jacket shouldn’t make a difference in whether or not you’re hired, color can have a subtle influence on what your interviewer thinks about you.

In general, it’s best to wear one of four “neutral” colors to an interview to help interviewers develop a positive perception of you.

• Blue: shows that you’re confident, trustworthy, and a team player
• Black: implies leadership, sophistication, and exclusivity
• Gray: you’re independent, logical, and analytical
• White: makes people think you’re safe and organized

When in doubt, choosing one of these colors as your “main” color for your interview outfit is a safe bet. If nothing else, these colors are easy on the eyes, making it more likely that the interview focuses on you and what you’re saying, not your clothing.

 What Colors to Skip for Your Video Interview

Though no color is technically off-limits in an interview, these colors have more negative connotations associated with them. Choose wisely, or skip them entirely!

• Brown: makes people think you’re reliable and dependable but also old-fashioned
• Orange: unfortunately, orange has been voted the worst color to wear in a job interview
• Red: associated with power, energy, excitement, and courage, but also hostility and defiance
• Yellow, Green, and Purple: you’re fun

While it’s OK to include some color in your interview outfit, think small. For example, consider adding a splash of color to your outfit and still make a statement without overdoing it.

Alternatively, you can “think soft” and choose light or pastel tones. For example, if yellow is “your” color, and it makes you feel confident and strong, by all means, wear it. However, choose a shade of yellow that is more like “soft sunrise” and less “neon banana”

 What to Wear for a Video Interview

All of the above advice applies to what to wear to an interview, no matter the format. However, when you’re interviewing for a remote job,  you’ll be doing a video interview, and video interviews have their own “what to wear” rules.

– Solid Rules

Solid colors are the best choice for in-person and video interviews. However, when it comes to choosing the right color for your video interview, you need to consider your webcam and your background.

Depending on your webcam, you may need to adjust what colors you wear. For example, if you’ve opted for grey, you may be better off with a darker grey than a lighter grey, depending on the quality of your webcam and how you’re lit during the interview.

As a rule, darker colors show up better on camera. Be sure to give your outfit a test run before the video interview in case you need to swap out your outfit.

Also, think about your background. Beyond making sure your background is neat and clean, make sure you choose clothing colors that contrast with your background, so you don’t blend into it.

The video interview is also a good time to skip the patterns. Depending on your webcam, your internet connection, and your interviewer’s webcam and connection, small patterns may create a moire effect. In a nutshell, small patterns can show up as a funky looking “wave” pattern on your clothing. Though probably not a deal-breaker, it can be distracting.

– Jewelry

Jewelry is fine to wear during your video interview. However, less is more. If you normally wear statement necklaces, skip them for the interview. They can pick up glare from the lighting and be distracting on screen. Ditto for large watches and deeply colored gemstones.

Stick with small jewelry items that don’t catch as much light and aren’t distracting.

– Fit and Fabric

Make sure you wear breathable fabric. Interviews are nerve-wracking and, like it or not, you may sweat. So, help yourself out and wear a breathable fabric that improves airflow.

– Get Fully Dressed

Even for a video interview, you need to dress your bottom half. You might think you can get away with shorts or pajamas, but there are one too many horror stories of a misaimed camera, someone pushing back from a desk, or standing up to grab something without thinking.

So, make sure you wear interview-appropriate pants (or a skirt if you’d prefer) because you just never know. Having your outfit fully equipped will likely help get you in the right headspace, too.

 Dress to Fit

– Whatever you wear, make sure it fits in with the company culture.

Not sure where to start? Try the company website and their social media accounts. What are people wearing in the pictures? That’s a good indication of how you will be expected to dress every day.

 Acing Your Video Interview

Looking for additional help with your video interview? That’s where we come in! Our career coaches can answer your questions, provide expert interviewing tips, and much more.