What to wear for the all important interview?
No I have a confession I am the last person to advise anyone what to a wear. As a 50 year old, “web dresser” laid back in my view or scruffy in many others but as I have researched the topic I have realised your visual brand is as important as your virtual brand.
Before I give my tips and links to sites with great advice I have included some of the finding from recently published survey undertaken by The Ladders.co.uk. It is a really call to action and highlights why you need to invest in your appearance.

- Pink, red and orange are a big NO at interview
- Forget dangly earrings girls, they’ll see you out of the door
- Chinos and polo shirt do not make the grade at first meeting
- Message from bosses, invest at least £300 in a good interview suit

Key Findings:

•    Seventy six per cent of British bosses would decide against a job candidate because of their clothes.

•    Sixty seven per cent of bosses surveyed say that a good interview outfit should cost in excess of £300, with 94% saying an obviously cheap suit would have the candidate walking out of the door as quickly as they walked in.

•    The team found that traditional formal interview attire says “hire” irrespective of market sector or industry.

•    For men, a tailored navy single breasted suit (51% hire), white or blue long sleeved shirt (48% hire), black leather shoes (56% hire) and black socks (77% hire), low key tie (35% hire) and cufflinks (37% hire) and no handkerchief (35% hire) will send you on your way to your second interview in minutes.

•    For women, a mid-length black skirt or dress (64% hire) with long sleeved and collared shirt or blouse (42% hire), tights (94% hire), high heels (69% hire) and pearls (56% hire) will leave a very positive impression on your future employer.

•    Biggest interview dress offences were casual gaffs; for men no tie (52% say fire), no jacket (50% say fire), chinos (50% say fire), polo shirts (66% say fire), jeans (82% say fire), T shirts (88% say fire) and leather jackets (70% say fire).

•    For women short skirt (60% say fire), low necklines (95% say fire), sports shoes (91% say fire), dangling jewellery (99% say fire), bare legs (94% say fire). Surprisingly despite the new fashion for shoulder pads and eighties power dressing 97% of bosses say big shoulder pads are wrong for interview dressing.

•    Presentation was very important to the bosses, 59% of interviewers, stains and dirty marks will see you out of the interview room immediately. 36% see co-ordination of colours and styles as an important indication of the candidate’s personality whilst 75% will look at whether your clothes are “appropriate for the circumstances”.

•    One third of those studied also said they would consider whether the candidate’s style suited their organisation. Orange is the worst colour to wear at interview with 95% of bosses surveyed saying the colour was unacceptable. Red (84%) and pink (83%) were also deemed inappropriate.

So what can you wear?

Well your resident style guide, me would suggest the following;

Ladies & Gentlemen - Tips:
The  black business suit is a good option when deciding on what to wear for the interview. It always looks professional and smart.
                               
It can works in almost any situation and can be paired with either the basic white blouse or a colored blouse if you prefer.

It is advised that the hem of your skirt should fall just on your knees. When you sit down at the interview your skirt always rides up a little. A shorter skirt often results in having to tug it down during the interview!
Classic black pumps work for any job interview. Look for a heel that is over an inch high, but not too difficult to walk in, to complete your professional look.

You cannot go wrong with the classic white blouse - nothing is more tried and true!

What to do with your hair? The most important thing is that your hair should look neat and tidy. If you have long hair you can brush it behind your ears.
Or put it up neatly in a style of your choice. The important thing is that your hair should not fall over you face in any way or require you to keep brushing it off your face during the interview will only irritate the interviewer.

So dress right and go get yourself that job.