I read this great post the other day titled one simple tip to be memorable at interview that suggests a great way to be remembered is to wear bright scarf or handkerchief. So I thought I’d ask Camilla Horwood, founder and director of Make Me Fabulous UK, to put together her ideas on making the most of your attire to allow you stand out in interview.
Camilla’s tips for you boys:
“A good quality dark navy or charcoal suit are both good choices for men when interviewing. A black suit can be very overpowering especially on younger candidates. Avoid suits in a lighter grey or brown as they are much more difficult to pull off and rarely look good. Unless you are going for a job in the city, avoid prominent pin stripe suits . If a pin stripe is preferred then opt for a fabric with a subtle pinstripe in either navy or charcoal which is a softer alternative to black.”
“Navy Blue is the colour of intellect and logic. and the darker the shade, the more it is associated with, strength, efficiency and authority. Therefore it is a good strong colour which can help evoke all the right sentiments candidates will be looking to convey during an interview process. The only draw back with the colour is that it can be considered overly cold and businesslike. So if you opt for a navy suit, be sure to liven it up and add some personality through the use of colour or patterns in a tie.”
“Silver, purples, pinks, lighter shades of blue, teal or lighter shades of green can all go perfectly with a white shirt and navy suit. These can be in the form of stripes, prints or block colours. Personally I would always recommend a patterned one.”
“Charcoal is a softer alternative to black so it is easier to wear and can be very versatile. Teamed with a crisp white shirt or light blue shirt this darkest shade of grey is mature and sophisticated. Grey is also the only colour which is totally neutral in the colour spectrum with no psychological properties, therefore it is a safe and elegant neutral alternative. On its own however, it makes a limited impact so as with navy, you need to compliment it via the use of brighter colours in a tie.”
“The colour palette for ties is pretty similar to navy, except charcoal can be worn with a vaster and brighter array of green shades and also darker shades or purple or maroon. Whilst you can also wear red with both navy and charcoal, stick to styles with red contained in a pattern or stripe only, rather than a block colour. Subconsciously, red can evoke quite different emotions in people, whilst the right red can give people a real energy and confidence boost, it is the colour which makes the strongest visual impact out of the whole spectrum and can subconsciously communicate defiance and aggression, which obviously are not ideal in an interview situation.”
Things to avoid:
- When choosing a tie, avoid very bright block colours such as yellow. Bright colours work best in small doses within a pattern,
- Avoid ties which are gimmicky or childish,
- Ensure your shirt is ironed and your shoes are polished,
- Check your suit for damage from over-cleaning or ironing,
Camilla’s tips for you girls:
“Whether a woman chooses to opt for a skirt or trouser suit for interview really depends on personal preference and wearing the option that she knows she will be most comfortable with during the process. A dress suit is always a nice alternative for those less comfortable in trousers and is considered feminine.”
“Women should stick to suits in neutral colours such as pewter, charcoal, stone, and black brown. Women can also normally get away with wearing black without it looking as severe as it can be offset via the use of make up and colourful blouses, shirts or even a scarf.”
“If it is a corporate environment then keep your skirt or trousers the same colour as your suit jacket and avoid the urge to wear a different colour blazer. Also ensure that a skirt or dress sits no higher than three to four inches above the knee.”
“For any woman who is a lover of fashion, the corporate interview can be a challenging task, as the temptation to show personality via the use of colour and accessories can be strong. The best course of action, however, is to keep it elegant and simple, avoiding any strong patterned prints on blouses, tops or shirts and preferably opting for block colours. If you are someone who is very confident wearing colour then use your blouse or top as the outlet to incorporate colour into your look. Alternatively this can also be achieved via the use of a colourful scarf in a good wool or cashmere blend, where the use of a print would also be acceptable.”
“When it comes to accessories again, keep it elegant and simple. Jewellery is best kept in either plain gold or silver, with small stones. If you prefer going for chunkier fashion accessories then keep it to a statement necklace only and accompany that with smaller simpler items.”
What to avoid:
- The use of too much bright colour or overpowering patterns,
- Too much bright red, same as for the men above,
- Clothes that are too revealing or tight fitting, and
- Too much chunky jewellery
“Make up should be kept to fresh natural looking skin, with neutral shades on the eyes (adding a liner if you wish) on the upper eye lid close to the lash line and a splash of colour on the cheeks and lips. Avoid lips which are overly defined. If you wish to use a brighter colour on lips then a good trick is to use your finger to apply the colour by smudging it on to your lips. This provides the colour but in a softer and subtler appearance.”
Good supporting makeup colours:
- Blues (light blue, navy,
- Purples (plum, aubergine, burgundy, royal purple)
- Pinks/reds in medium shades (raspberry, watermelon, rust, tomato, cassis, rose)
- Neutrals (taupe, mushroom, grey, chocolate, crème, stone, camel, white)
- Greens (teal, moss, olive, lime)
“Whether you’re a man or a woman, above all you want to be remembered for your intellect, aptitude and quality of answers, not a flamboyant fashion sense. Your attire should compliment and support the impression you are trying to create rather than distract or detract away from your performance during the interview process.”
Have you used your attire to stand out in interview?
Have you had any embarrassing clothing moments in interview?
