For interviews and formal events, looking neat and well fitted matters more than standing out. Core outfit, colours, fit and a night-before check.
At an interview or formal occasion, clothes are less about decoration and more a signal that you prepared for the day. People notice whether your clothes are clean, fit well and suit the setting long before they think about price. So a well-fitting outfit that's been looked after works far better than an expensive new one. It also matters that your clothes don't distract you, so you can focus on the conversation.
If the company or event has given a dress code, following it exactly is the safest choice. Even for interviews, expectations vary quite a bit by industry and company culture. If there's no guidance or it's vague, dressing one step more formally than you expect is less likely to go wrong.
If it's a suit occasion, simpler is better. The goal is for the whole look to appear put together rather than for any single piece to stand out.
Navy, charcoal grey and black work almost anywhere. Navy and grey are widely seen as neat without feeling stiff, which suits a daytime interview well. If you want some colour, keep it to one tie or scarf and keep everything else calm for a tidy look. Patterns should be subtle enough to look almost solid from a distance. Bright colours or bold patterns can make people remember your clothes more than the conversation.
The same clothes make a very different impression depending on fit. Check each point below in front of a mirror. Remember that lengths can be altered but shoulders are hard to fix, which helps when choosing.
Keep your hair neat and off your face, and your nails short and clean. Wearing very little perfume, or none, is the safe choice, since scent feels stronger than you expect in a small room. Choose a neat bag big enough to keep documents flat, and during the interview put it on the floor beside your chair or on your lap. Keep watches and jewellery to a minimum, and keep any make-up natural.
Most outfit mishaps happen when you try things on for the first time that morning. Checking a day early gives you time to deal with a loose button or a stain you hadn't noticed.
New shoes worn for the first time on the day can give you blisters, so break them in a few times beforehand. An oversized suit looks borrowed however good the fabric. In summer, carry your jacket and put it on before you go in; in winter, take your coat off as you enter the building and carry it. Even for a video interview, dressing fully changes your mindset, and tidy the background and lighting too. At weddings, avoiding white so as not to clash with the bride is a widely observed courtesy, and at funerals, dark clothing without flashy jewellery is the norm. Customs vary by region, family and company, though, so if in doubt, asking ahead is the surest option.
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