Interview Attire: Traditional

Sure, you want to stand out in a job interview. But you want to be remembered for your abilities - not for the outfit you were wearing. When selecting appropriate attire for an interview, the watchword should always be anonymity.This doesn't mean you can't look sharp and well groomed, but you don&rsquot want to be remembered for looking sloppy or inappropriate or being dressed in any way that could hurt your chances of landing the job.

Some general guidelines:

• Suit should be navy or charcoal
• Dress shirt should be white or Oxford blue
• Tie should be a conservative print
• Shoes should be black lace-ups
• Belt should match shoes
• Jewelry should be minimal

And here are the details.

Appropriate suits
Interview suits are either navy blue or charcoal gray. This is especially true in more conservative or traditional fields such as insurance, finance, banking, law, and government. As far as other colors are concerned, black is generally viewed as too fashion-forward for most job seekers, while earth tones such as olive can seem a tad too casual.

Your suit jacket should be of either the two- or three-button variety. Four- and five-button suits are sometimes popular these days, and double-breasted clothing seems poised for a comeback, but these suit styles do not project the tried-and-true image most interviewers are looking for. As far as the fabric pattern itself is concerned, solid suits are best, although subtle pinstripes are also acceptable.

Dress shirts
Your shirt should generally be white, but Oxford blue is often acceptable as well. All-cotton shirts with a spread or point collar, or even a traditional button-down style, are best for job interviews. A spread collar can accommodate a larger tie knot. Hidden-button and tab collar shirts are generally too informal for the interview, so save them for day-to-day wear.

Neckwear
Speaking of ties, your neckwear should coordinate with your suit and be conservative. This can mean neat repeating patterns (foulards) or traditional striped ties. It also means no cartoon characters or sports themes, and no bow ties. The neckwear should always be 100% silk.

Footwear
Interview shoes should always be leather lace-ups. No loafers. Cap-toes and wingtips are the predominant choices. Black is the preferred color, although burgundy (cordovan) shoes can be worn in a pinch. Brown shoes are still a bit too fashion-forward for an interview.

Belts and braces
Your belt should match your shoe color. You may also opt for braces, but never suspenders. The difference is that braces button into your suit slacks, while suspenders clip onto the outside. Obviously you should be sure to have the anchor buttons sewn in when you have your suit tailored.

Jewelry
Finally, for traditional job interviews, you should try to minimize body art, remove all visible piercings (yes, that includes earrings), and keep the jewelry to a minimum - probably no more than a wedding band and a watch.

In conclusion
You should bear in mind that the interview is a process, as opposed to a one-off event. This is especially true in a professional environment, so you should be prepared with an equally appropriate additional ensemble for the second interview. If you pay attention to the mode of dress of those you see in the office at your first interview, this can serve as your guide for the second interview. Always err on the side of caution, however, as you definitely don't want your wardrobe standing in the way of your next job.