So you’ve heard the girl version, now here’s my take for the boys. Baring in mind, I am a female, so feel free young men to have some input! The jobseeker has come to me (a wannabe fashionista you could say) with his interview wardrobe woes so here goes my advice on what to wear to an interview: for men.

For girls, I think it’s often easier to go smart casual but for the blokes you will always have that niggle in your mind- to suit up or not? I reckon it’s always better to be overdressed than under, that way it looks like you’ve at least made the effort and care about the interview. Whereas if you come in scruffy, your potential future employers may just think you’re not too bothered and generally it won’t make a good impression.

If you have researched the organisation you are interviewing with (which you should have if you read my previous post!) then you are likely to have some sort of idea if it is a suit wearing environment. Take magazines for instance, a starchy suit is unnecessary as the dress code is relatively casual. But still, for the interview I would go smarter than the average joe blogs day at the office. So here are a few tips on how to play it safe when deciding what to wear for an interview…

Get some shirt action

For a smart casual look for guys wear a smart shirt. Nothing too lairy or bright, you want to stand out from the crowd but not because you made the interviewer wince at the garish bright shirt you were wearing. Instead go for a classy striped or a simple plain shirt in blue, salmon pink or clean cut white tones.

No creases please

A big no no is creases- you want to look smooth on your first day, not disorganised and crumpled looking like you have just strolled out of bed. Preparation is important for your big day, so iron and organise the clothes you are going to wear the night before to avoid any last minute panics in the morning.

Jeans or no Jeans?        

Hmm what a dilemma, a smart shirt with jeans is fine for everyday wear in the office, but for an interview play it safe and opt for a smarter alternative like cords. Cords are great for a relaxed, stylish look as they are more formal than jeans but less formal than starchy suit trousers. If you do go for the brave jeans option, at least opt for a darker pair as light washed jeans tend to look less smart. A trendy option of skinny stone coloured jeans, like the guy in the picture is wearing, is fashionable yet smart. It gives the smart shirt, tie and jumper combo a cool casual edge and a touch of personality, whilst still retaining the smart factor.

An alternative to the blazer

An alternative to the formal suit option is the v-necked jumper, tie and shirt combo.  Smart yet casual at the same time, you may feel more comfortable in it than a blazer. V-necked jumpers work perfectly for the smart casual look as the jumper (much like the cords) will tone down the smartness of your shirt and tie.  V- neck jumpers and cardigans are pretty popular right now so take your pick from the various styles on the high street. It’s a perfect office staple but do remember not to go too wild and pick out the smarter styles suitable for a working environment. Stay safe in classic colours like blues and blacks, keeping the design simple but stylish.

Deciding what to wear for an interview can be tricky, have any of you guys had any problems? Do you think it is better to be overdressed than under? The smart casual look can be tricky to nail down, but I hope these pointers have helped! Tweet us @wannabehacks or comment below for tips & thoughts.