A friend asks what to wear to their first job interview. What advice would you give?

B Natural answer

For a first interview, I’d suggest starting with a plain shirt or blouse and pairing it with dark trousers or a simple skirt. That usually looks professional without being stiff. I’d also tell them to avoid anything too flashy, like bright prints, huge logos, or clothes that are too tight. You want the interviewer to focus on what you say, not your outfit. It also helps to check the details: clean nails, tidy hair, and clothes that actually fit well. If the company is more formal, they can step it up a little with a blazer, but if they are not sure, smart and simple is the safest choice. Basically, the outfit should say, “I respect this meeting,” without looking like they’re trying to be someone else.

Key phrases in this answer

• a plain shirt or blouse — A shirt or blouse without patterns or decoration.“A plain shirt or blouse is a safe choice for a first interview.”
• dark trousers or a simple skirt — Formal bottoms in dark or understated styles.“Dark trousers or a simple skirt usually work well in an interview.”
• avoid anything too flashy — Do not wear clothes that are attention-grabbing or exaggerated.“For the interview, I’d avoid anything too flashy and keep it calm.”
• clean, well-fitted clothes — Clothes that are tidy and fit your body properly.“For the interview, he wore clean, well-fitted clothes and felt much more confident.”
• keep the colors simple — Use basic, quiet colors instead of bright or busy ones.“If you keep the colors simple, the whole outfit looks more professional.”
• shoes that look neat — Shoes that are clean, tidy, and in good condition.“He wore shoes that look neat, so the outfit felt complete.”