The one rule
Dress one level above what the people you will work with wear every day. If they wear shirts and trousers, wear a jacket. If they wear jackets, wear a suit. If they wear suits, wear a better-fitted one. Looking over-prepared costs almost nothing; looking under-prepared is noticed.
What to wear, by sector
| Sector | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Banking, finance, law, consulting | A navy or charcoal suit, white or light blue shirt, plain dark tie, black or dark brown oxfords |
| Large corporates and MNCs | A suit, or a jacket with contrasting trousers. Tie for senior roles and client-facing jobs |
| Tech and startups | Tailored trousers or dark chinos, a crisp shirt, an optional unstructured jacket. No tie |
| Creative, media, design | Considered smart casual: good trousers, a knit or shirt, a jacket with some texture |
| Government and PSU | A formal shirt and trousers with a tie, or a dark suit or bandhgala for senior posts |
| Campus placements | Formal shirt, dark trousers, tie, and a dark suit or blazer if you have one |
| Hospitality and retail management | A suit, or a jacket and trousers, worn very neatly |
If you cannot tell, look at the company's LinkedIn photographs and team pages, then go one level up.
The suit
- Colour: navy first, charcoal second. Both work with every shirt and tie you are likely to own.
- Style: single-breasted, two buttons, notch lapels. It is the least distracting cut. A double-breasted suit is fine in finance and law if it fits well, but it is a stronger statement.
- Cloth: a light wool or wool blend that does not shine or crease heavily. The Lutyens is a good first interview suit.
- Fit: shoulders that end where yours do, a jacket that closes without pulling, trousers with little or no break.
Shirt, tie and shoes
- A white or light blue shirt, ironed, with a collar that closes without squeezing. Test it with the top button done.
- A plain or finely textured tie in navy, burgundy or dark green. The tip should reach the belt buckle.
- Black oxfords with charcoal; black or dark brown with navy. Polished, with a belt in the same leather.
- Dark socks, long enough that no leg shows when you sit.
Video interviews
- Dress fully, including trousers. You may need to stand.
- Solid colours work best on camera. Fine stripes and small checks create a shimmering effect.
- Light blue, soft grey and white all read well; bright white can glare under a ring light.
- Put the camera at eye level and the light in front of you.
Dressing for Delhi heat
Wear the jacket from the car park, not for the whole journey. Choose a lighter wool or a wool blend, and a cotton shirt rather than a synthetic one. A spare shirt in the car costs nothing and can save the day.
The night-before checklist
- Try everything on together, including shoes and belt.
- Press or steam the suit and shirt; check for loose buttons and threads.
- Polish the shoes.
- Keep accessories to a watch. Leave the bracelets and large rings.
- Light or no scent. Interview rooms are small.
Buying a suit for an interview
A made-to-measure suit takes three to four weeks, so start as soon as the interview season begins rather than the week before. If you are building a working wardrobe, start with a navy or charcoal business suit and two shirts cut to your measurements. Read our first suit guide for the four decisions that matter.
Questions, answered
For banking, law, consulting, government and most senior corporate roles, yes. For tech and startups a suit can look out of step; a jacket over a shirt and trousers is safer.
Navy or charcoal. Black reads as evening wear, and bold checks or bright colours distract from what you are saying.
In formal sectors, yes. In tech, startups and creative work, an open collar with a jacket is fine. If unsure, carry a tie and decide at reception.
A plain shirt in white, light blue or a soft colour, and a jacket if the role is formal. Avoid fine stripes and small checks, which shimmer on camera.
For government, diplomatic and some ceremonial roles, a plain dark bandhgala is appropriate. For corporate roles, a suit is safer.
