Nail the first impression
“It’s important to always dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident, but it’s especially true when going in for an interview,” says Misha Nonoo, who has interviewed hundreds of people during her six years as creative director of fashion label Nonoo. “If you don’t feel good about yourself or your clothes — if they’re wrinkled or stretched out, for instance — then it will be conveyed to the interviewer. Even if you only have five minutes with them, those five minutes will factor into their ultimate decision.”We’re not saying that you need to spend hours on getting dressed before an interview (dressing appropriately is much more about what lies beneath your outer layer than what lies above), but it never hurts to make sure that your shoes are shined, your buttons are buttoned, and that any visible rips or holes have been fixed before heading into the office. Today, let’s know What to wear to a fashion interview?
How to dress for a fashion interview?
· An interview is more than just a way for employers to assess your skills. It’s also an opportunity for them to see if you’re a good fit for their company. “The look, as well as the attitude, says a lot about who people are. “It reflects on the brand and company in ways most don’t realize.”
· So how do you dress for success? While there are no hard-and-fast rules (after all, one person’s idea of business casual might be another person’s idea of “I totally forgot I had this event to go to”), here are some general guidelines: Leave your paper bag at home. As Americans generally aren’t accustomed to dressing up, some candidates try to compensate by wearing a suit that’s much too formal for the job at hand. “You have to know what environment you’re going into.” While your outfit should always reflect your personality and fit in with the overall aesthetic of the place where you’ll be working, taking cues from others can help ensure that you won’t come off as over or underdressed (which could hurt you either way).
· Another mistake people make: thinking they can wear whatever they want as long as there’s no visible branding on it. Interviewers in the fashion world are indeed less concerned with logos than they might be elsewhere, but designers and brands still represent a personal brand, and, puts it: “You want to represent yourself in the best way possible.” A good rule of thumb is to stick to neutral colors that suit you.
· How do you walk this fine line between standing out and blending in? Find a happy medium by sticking to your favorite designer (assuming it’s one of those all-important brands), but play up the rest of your outfit. Consider mixing established pieces like Dior pants with unbranded shoes or leather bags, for example. In other words: don’t overthink it.
· Finally:
if you’re going for a second interview, it’s not a bad idea to wear something similar. It shows the company that you pay attention to detail and cares about making the right impression, as opposed to someone who doesn’t give any thought to what they’re wearing or how it reflects on their character. Most importantly: “Make sure that your clothes are clean and fit properly,” says someone. “If anything is too loose or tight — buttons that aren’t buttoned, loose threading on hems — fix it before going into an interview.”
What Not To Wear
Employers suggest avoiding items made of denim, as well as shorts and flip-flops in favor of stronger fabrics like tweed, wool, and silk with more structure. You might think these pieces are too dressy for an interview, but it’s important to remember that “most of these companies have a certain aesthetic in mind, whether it’s the way things are laid out or how they’re photographed,” says Nonoo. “If you stray away from that, you could be taking yourself out of the running before you even get in.”
Dress
While some employers caution against dressing too much like other people who work at the company (never fear — we’re not going to tell you to avoid wearing plaid), they also suggest avoiding anything overly trendy. After all, what was fashionable last month might be outdated this year — and your interviewer knows this. When selecting an outfit for an interview, consider the atmosphere where you’ll be working.
· Consider wearing your company’s clothing to your interview (if they sell it in-store) rather than auditioning for the role in an outfit that you’ll only wear once. “Employers want to know what you would look like in our clothes,” says Wen. “They don’t want to hire someone who is going to change their whole aesthetic when they get the job.” In other words, if you’re applying for a job at Miu Miu and show up looking tomboyish, then there’s no guarantee that you’ll ever really dress like one of them.
· It’s also important not to come off as too trendy — or too aloof from current trends altogether. Remember: “It’s only too trendy if it doesn’t look good on you,” Wen says. “If you can’t pull off a trend, then don’t wear it.”
· Play up what you like about your wardrobe while taking direction from the company where you’ll be working. That might mean bringing up some of the colors that are most associated with them in conversation as a way of connecting with your potential employer before even setting foot in the room. “You want to represent yourself in the best way possible,” says Nonoo. “That means conforming to their brand, but putting your own personal spin on it — and making sure everything fits properly so that there’s no distraction.”
And The Sweater You Are Looking For: A timeless slim-fit navy sweater is always appropriate when interviewing, especially for the younger workforce.
Suit
Although the idea of dressing “smart casual” has become popular, it’s important not to show up in jeans or a T-shirt. In fact, many companies don’t allow students to wear anything that isn’t a suit — or at least dress pants and a blouse — while on an interview. Why? It shows respect for both the company and your interviewer (and allows them to imagine you working there).
· But how do you know if what you’re wearing is too casual? According to Dayre, it depends on where you’re going and who will be interviewing you — i.e., whether you’ll be meeting with a creative director or an HR representative. “If it’s the creative director, then yes, you do want to dress up!” she says. “But if it’s the internship coordinator who is your contact person and they’re expecting more of a laidback atmosphere, wear slacks and a nice shirt.”
· It might seem that interviewing for a job at J. Crew would require little to no preparation because everyone knows how to dress for work there — but trust us: You don’t want to show up in denim or flip-flops (even though those are both popular looks among some of their employees). “J. Crew has really taken off,” explains Dayre. “I mean, just look at their latest look book — all of the models are dressed so well. I wouldn’t want to be sitting across from someone who is clearly not as qualified, but fails to dress up for an interview.”
· “When in doubt,” says Wen, “always err on the side of caution and show up wearing a suit.” That way you’ll never have to worry about being overdressed or underdressed. It’s more important that you convey earnestness and professionalism than show off your polished personal style.
· While some employers suggest avoiding anything too trendy, others say it’s okay to play with fashion while still staying true to the company brand. When selecting an outfit for an interview, consider the atmosphere where you’ll be interviewing and who you’ll be meeting with. “If it’s the creative director, then yes, you do want to dress up!” says Dayre. “But if it’s the internship coordinator who is your contact person and they’re expecting more of a laidback atmosphere, wear slacks and a nice shirt.”
· Before sitting down for your interview — or even beforehand — make sure that whatever you’ve chosen will show off not only your personal style but also what could make you qualified for the job. That might mean swapping out stilettos for flats so that you can comfortably sit and walk around during orientation. It could mean bringing along a copy of your portfolio in case they ask to see some of your previous work. Or it might just mean wearing a patterned shirt to show off your creative side.
Frequently asked questions
1) What should I wear to an interview at Ralph Lauren? Written by a recent college graduate who got the job:
“I was hired for an internship at Polo [Ralph Lauren], and just remember when you have your interview they are looking for someone polished, clean-cut with a nice wardrobe, so it helps if you can present yourself in that manner. They did not say anything about jeans or how I dressed; however, one thing that really helped me out (and this was my first real “fashion” job) was the shoes! Definitely wear some nice shoes whether it be brown or oxfords.