What to Wear to a Job Interview, According to Hiring Experts

The article discusses appropriate interview attire for 2025, emphasizing that despite relaxed office dress codes and remote work trends, dressing correctly for the interview itself remains crucial and varies significantly by industry. Personal stylist Joshua Davis advises that interviews require a more conservative approach than the actual job, even in casual workplaces. He recommends researching the company culture through LinkedIn and employee social media to gauge expectations.

Davis explains that client-facing professionals like lawyers (especially in tech IP), bankers, consultants, and accountants should research their potential clients and dress slightly more conservatively than them. He warns that HR departments often hesitate to recommend candidates due to wardrobe issues, commonly citing attire that is too casual, sloppy, or overly sexy, as clothes signal cultural fit and company representation.

The article highlights law firms, particularly long-established ones in cities like New York, as the most formal end of the spectrum. Jessica Chin Somers, a legal recruiter, states that attorney interviewees must wear a suit with leather shoes (e.g., a blue suit with brown shoes or gray suit with black shoes for men), stressing fit as paramount. She firmly states that sneakers are unacceptable for law firm interviews regardless of the firm's perceived "coolness" or the shoes' cost.