The Best Color to Wear for An Interview (+Colors To Avoid)

Dress for success and impress the hiring manager with the right interview attire.

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The right first impression is key to a successful interview. According to Undercover Recruiter, 33% of bosses know within 90 seconds if they want to hire someone. Your outfit contributes a lot to the initial impression you make.

Wearing the right color can make you more likable and even help communicate specific character traits. In this guide, we will cover both endearing and less likable colors to wear to a job interview to help you make the right impression and get you hired faster.

Why Color Matters in Job Interviews?

Choosing the right outfit for a job interview matters in just about every field. Colors affect both the way we feel and how others perceive us. It is important to consider not only the type of outfit (formal or casual) but also pick a color carefully. Here's why.

Match the employer's expectations

When conducting interviews, a recruiter subconsciously creates an image of the perfect candidate. For a B2B sales role, they might envision someone who is proactive, confident, dresses formally, and respects business etiquette. If your interview outfit matches this image, you'll have a higher chance to ace the interview.

Pro Tip: Consider the company's corporate culture and the style of its current employees to meet their expectations better.

Consider the halo effect

The halo effect is a cognitive bias that involves attributing positive character traits to an attractive person. If you show up wearing a black shift dress and a laconic hairstyle and your outfit matches the company's culture, they might assume that you are rational, dependable, and trustworthy. To make this effect work for you, pick the interview outfit that reflects the desired qualities for the role.

Keep the color psychology in mind

Colors affect our perception of others more than we think. Some colors convey professionalism, authority, and dependability, while others mean creativity, vibrance, and optimism. By choosing the right accent color, you can manage the impression you make on a hiring manager.

Choosing the right colors for your interview attire can communicate professionalism, business etiquette, and other likable qualities for the role. Now, let's consider specific colors to wear.

Best colors to wear to a job interview

Grey

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A grey outfit is the best choice for job interviews. The grey color is associated with professionalism, neutrality, calmness, and cooperation. It looks sophisticated and elegant on pretty much everyone. For these reasons, it is one of the top colors to wear to an interview.

Moreover, grey showcases you as an analytical, reserved professional, which is why it is perfect if you're interviewing for accounting, data analysis, tech, or research positions. You can wear a total grey outfit (grey suit or dress) or add an accent to this classic color, such as brighter accessories or shoes.

Navy blue

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The color blue is perfect for management positions. It conveys intelligence, expertise, reliability, and leadership. Plus, navy blue send an image that you are in control of the situation in the business environment. Light blue is calming and makes an impression that you are relaxed and comfortable to cooperate with.

Avoid intense blue shades, such as royal blue or electric blue. They might look too eccentric for the business environment, especially in conservative settings. Human resource professionals generally favor this color, so you can wear navy blue for corporate and more creative job interviews. Pair it with a white shirt or shoes, and black accents to complete your image.

Black

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Black is the timeless interview classic color. At the same time, it's an intense and powerful color that conveys leadership, authority, and power. It is best to wear it to management and C-level interviews in traditional industries, such as finance, manufacturing, construction, and real estate.

When interviewing for jobs in creative fields or companies with casual culture, the best is not the best choice. Similarly, it's not the best color for interviews for customer service and healthcare roles that require you to look positive and approachable. For these roles, you can use black as an accent - for example, wear a black pencil skirt, jacket, or bag.

White

A white button-down paired with darker trousers or a skirt is the interview classic. The white color projects such traits as attention to detail, organizational skills, and professionalism. So, you can't go wrong with wearing white to any job interview, especially for corporate positions, management roles, and jobs that require attention to detail.

You can wear a plain white suit to stand out and create a brighter look. Also, you can pair a white blazer or shirt with a grey or black piece to create a contrasting image. Be sure to use clean white, as various shades of it may make a different impression.

Pink

Surprisingly, pink is also a good color to wear to a job interview. It shows that you're easygoing and has a comforting effect on a recruiter.

For a job interview, it is best to wear softer shades of pink, such as misty rose or muted pink. Soft pink has the properties of a neutral color and can be combined with grey trousers, a brown skirt, and a white/beige top. An understated shade works as a subtle accent without overwhelming the recruiter.

Want to be 100% prepared for the upcoming job interview? Read our top tips to ace the next interview and be ready to answer tough questions.

Colors to avoid in a job interview

Yellow

While yellow projects optimism, vibrance, and positive energy, you should be careful when wearing it to a job interview. Too much yellow can overwhelm the hiring professionals, so make sure to use it as an accent color only.

Yellow is a great color if you want to work in a creative field, such as design, media, or arts. It projects innovation and creative thinking. Avoid it when applying to corporate jobs or traditional industries - it may be perceived as a lack of commitment and professionalism.

Purple

Purple sends a message of creativity, originality, and self-confidence. If these are traits you want to emphasize or you work in a creative industry, you might wear it to a job interview as an accent color. For example, you might use a purple scarf, bag, or a large ring. Speaking of clothes, it is best to use splashes of violet or lilac that go well with blue and gray.

If you don't work in a creative field, save purple for special occasions and casual events.

Green

Green is not the best color for interviews for many reasons. Firstly, it is associated with spring and youth, and therefore might indicate unprofessionalism. Secondly, it doesn't look flattering on everyone. Light or bright shades of green might make you look pale and unhealthy.

However, if dark green looks good on you, wearing it to a job interview will help you stand out. Plus, wearing a dark green blazer or trousers will help show that you are dependable and self-assured.

Red

Red is a powerful, high-energy color that quickly dominates in any environment. Too much red can tire the interviewer and even cause irritation. If you want to wear red to stand out, use it as an accent, otherwise, it will send the wrong image to the old-fashioned recruiter. A red hat, handbag, or heels, on the other hand, can work as a strong, attention-grabbing accent.

Orange and brown

If you're thinking about wearing a new tangerine blouse to a job interview, think twice. Orange is the worst interview color, as employers associate it with unprofessionalism. It is an equally bad interview choice for men and women.

According to color psychology, brown can convey dependability and reliability. Yet, it is only suitable for traditional industries and roles, as it may be perceived as too old-fashioned and boring. It is best to avoid brown altogether, leaving it for casual occasions.

So, what should you finally wear to a job interview? Below, you'll find some tips to help choose your interview outfit.

5 Expert tips to choose the right interview attire

Consider the company culture

To choose the right interview attire and show your cultural fit, research the company first. Use LinkedIn to browse profiles of their current employees. What do people wear in a company? Is there a dress code? If there is a professional dress code in the organization, opt for a conservative look, such as a navy or gray business suit. And vice versa, if there is a casual dress code, you might wear brighter colors and use accessories.

Don't rely on a job title only. A sales rep in a makeup store and a sales rep for B2B sales are expected to look different.

Decide what impression you want to make

Use the color psychology and the type of outfit to manage the impression you want to make. If the job requires strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills, opt for grey and white items from high-quality fabrics. Use minimalist accessories and comfortable shoes. Such type of attire is great for accountants, data analysts, lawyers, and managers.

If your target job requires creativity and innovative thinking, you may create a unique, brighter interview look. Wear bold colors such as purple or pink. Opt for creative items, such as an asymmetric jacket, a large accent ring, or a bright neck scarf. It will help you stand out and make the right impression during the interview process.

Wear clothes that give you confidence

Put on something that makes you confident. There is no point in wearing gray or navy blue if you don't feel comfortable in them. The interviewer will see your discomfort and attribute it to your lack of preparation.

If you have a lucky brown jacket that looks great on you, disregard the advice that brown isn't the best color for a job interview. Pay attention to how you feel in the particular attire and wear items that make you feel excellent.

Consider your hairstyle and accessories

When thinking about what clothes to wear, don't forget about the accessories. Inappropriate eye rings or messy hair can ruin the professional image you're trying so hard to create. Make sure that your hair is neat and recently trimmed, and if you have long hair, style it in a ponytail or a bun for a professional look.

Your choice of accessories will depend on the impression you want to make. When applying for jobs in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, or tech, one minimalist ring and small earrings would be the best choice. For a creative job, you may use bolder pieces with bright stones, creative handbags, and scarves.

Dress professionally for video interviews

Prepare for Zoom interviews just as thoroughly as for in-person ones. Choose what to wear based on the color psychology and the company's dress code. Always wear bottoms to avoid confusing situations. If the candidate doesn't make an effort to look nice on video, the recruiter will notice it and see it as the lack of interest in the role.

Dressing up professionally for an interview helps communicate the right personality traits for the role and improves your likability. Plus, it shows the recruiter that you’re taking the interview seriously and are ready to put in the effort. Use such colors as grey, black, or dark blue to show authority, dependability, and attention to detail.

Key Takeaways

• Hiring professionals name grey, navy blue, white, black, and soft pink as the best interview colors.
• Avoid wearing brown, orange, purple, and red to a job interview, as they might have negative connotations.
• Opt out multiple colors, neon fabrics, and items that are not designed for professional settings as they can make a wrong impression instantly.
• Always consider your industry and the type of role to choose the right interview attire and show your cultural fit.

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