Fashion Job Interview : What to Wear Do’s and Don’ts

Ever wondered how to show that YOU are the perfect fit for that fashion job? We’ve got you covered! In this article we answer the most common questions to guide you through your upcoming interview.

1. Wear what you love

In a Vogue video series “Go Ask Anna” editor-in-chief Anna Wintour told the story of how she instantly hired a man who wore a dress to the interview. So, should all men who want a job at Vogue wear dresses? Probably not.

The key thing here is - wearing what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Yes, it’s that simple. If you are a man who truly loves wearing dresses, go for it. But don’t try to fake it, the interviewers will see right through you. If you don’t usually wear heels, don’t wear them. If you don’t normally wear lots of makeup, don’t try wearing it for an interview. No one wants to be remembered as that girl who had uneven eyeliner and fell down while trying to walk in those heels.

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The good approach is to keep your answers short and to the point. Don’t go on rambling about all fashion shows you’ve been to and don’t describe every piece of clothing you own. Instead, you can intentionally leave some ‘blanks’ in your answers that will spark the interviewer’s interest and make him or her ask you more and more questions. Remember - interview is a dialogue, not your graduation speech.

2. Do some good old research

Before you pull out your favourite boho summer skirt out of the wardrobe - spend some time to really get to know the company you are about to meet. If the brand’s speciality is boho style clothing - then maybe your summer skirt was the right call. Otherwise, the skirt should stay in the wardrobe at least for now.

First things first - try to figure out what style of clothing employees are wearing at the company. Look for the pictures of work events at their LinkedIn profiles. Check the company’s website for more inspiration. In other words, try to really understand the look of the work environment. Your first interview is a chance to show that you truly belong to the brand. So use that chance well.

The formula of good outfit is pretty simple : your personal style meets the style and the feel of the company you are applying to.

3. Don’t wear an apparent outfit from a competitor

Putting on Adidas training pants to an interview at Nike might not be the best idea. Just saying
But - here comes the twist - just because you have an interview at Gucci, doesn’t mean you should come to the interview in a Gucci T-shirt with a Gucci belt and a Gucci bag. This screams desperation, not style. Try keeping it simple and elegant instead.

4. Don’t forget the details

Speaking of elegance - really pay attention to those details. Just to name a few - neat manicure, good perfume and carefully groomed hairstyle (if you have long hair - it’s better to wear it tied back in a bun or a ponytail). Remember - a bad detail like unkempt nails like can really kill a look, so watch out.

5. Don’t add too many details

While some details like quality perfume are nice to have, other details - like too much jewelry or flashy clothing - will not be in your favor. Here is a good rule of thumb for you - choose ONE statement piece. Just one. Be it unique earrings, floral tie, silk scarf or a bright leather bag - your imagination and fashion sense will help you decide. The rest of the outfit should be simple, classy and modest. But that one statement piece will be a great conversation starter and something to make you stand out.

And last but definitely not least - Don’t buy the outfit the day before! Wear something that you are already familiar with. As a fashionista you probably have the whole wardrobe full of pieces you love, so finding an appropriate outfit should not be too difficult.

If you are still unsure what to wear, here are some go-to outfits for you advised by the industry experts:

For women

- Little black dress (can never go wrong with this one)

- Dark jeans/pants and a blouse with an oversized blazer

- Formal jumpsuit

For men

- Slacks and a nice button-down shirt with a statement accessory

- Khakis with turtleneck or, again, a nice shirt

Good luck with your interview and remember to wear a smile! :)

Also make sure to review the most common interview questions for a fashion interview .