Dress for the job you want — but what does that mean?

There are a few general styles of work attire. Hiring managers may refer to these terms to describe their dress codes. These standards may still apply, although more companies are opting for less formal attire overall.

Business professional

Business professional is the most formal style of dressing for work. Expectations include suits and ties, tailored dresses, polished, close-toed shoes, and dark or neutral colors. Women have a little more leeway in terms of color and accessories, but the overall vibe is serious.

Business casual

This style is a little more relaxed than business professional. It’s become increasingly popular since the pandemic. With business casual, you’ll still see elements of business professional attire. Those items are often paired with clothing that’s more comfortable. This attire is suitable for all but the most formal meetings and occasions.

Smart casual

This offers a little more leeway for the fashion-conscious. Brighter colors and accessories can find a home here, but you still want to look put-together.

Casual

You can wear T-shirts and jeans in a casual office environment. Even if everyone around you is wearing this style, play around with how you present yourself. Dressing even a little more formally can make people take you more seriously.

Every industry—and every company within those industries—has its own dress code expectations. Industries like finance and law tend to have more formal expectations. Some companies stay firmly in their lane, but others span categories and change depending on the circumstance. It’s important to be aware of the dress codes and expectations. Remember, though, societal norms are constantly in flux. Once upon a time, business attire was always formal, before tech gurus started showing up to work in hoodies and sneakers.

You want to put your best foot forward during an interview. Dressing appropriately is a big part of that. In most cases, that means dressing a little bit more formally than you would if you had the job. Lori W., Fidelity talent acquisition manager, says, “I think the days of the suit and tie are probably gone, but I don’t think it’s ever a mistake to wear a tie,” for an interview.

If you’re going to be working in a casual office, wear nice pants and a collared shirt to the interview. If you’re applying to a company with a strict professional dress code, wear your best business attire.

Also, don’t assume that you know the dress code.

• Look at the company’s online presence. Check their website and social media postings to see what actual employees are wearing.
• Review your interviewers’ LinkedIn profiles.
• Ask the person setting up the interview. It’s a legitimate question and they won’t think less of you for asking it.

Many people believe that if you dress above your pay grade, you’ll help people see you in a more advanced role. Instead of wearing clothes that fit your current role, the idea is to wear clothing that’s more aligned with the role you’d like to be in. There is a kernel of wisdom in this kind of thinking.

When you dress “above” your role, you signal to the higher-ups that you’re ready for new challenges. Sometimes simply being dressed more professionally can mean the difference between being asked to take a client meeting or not.

The caveat to this is overdressing.

Overdressing—dressing much more formally than your role requires—can come across the wrong way. It can seem like you’re putting on airs or that you’re unclear on your role. Jen L., who works in education, says “I’ve never gone with the advice of dressing for the job you want. I feel like you can outdress yourself so that it’s not practical for your role. That can be off-putting.”

Jen wants to be taken seriously by supervisors while also maintaining positive relationships with her coworkers. To achieve this balance, she says, “I try to dress the most professionally I can within my role. It makes me respected by my peers without alienating them.”

Working remotely offers a lot of perks for employees. One of these is the ability to wear more comfortable clothing at home. After all, if you’re not striding past your coworkers daily, you don’t need high heels or spit-shined shoes. This is true whether you currently have a job or are interviewing remotely.

Be careful that you don’t take that sense of freedom too far. Lori W. tells a story about a friend of hers who took a Zoom call in his pajama bottoms. An attorney, he dressed appropriately from the top up. To his chagrin, he forgot he’d have to stand when the courtroom says, “All rise.” The lesson here, Lori says, is to “make sure that you know you don’t have to leave your desk for any reason.” Even better, when the stakes are high, ditch the pajama bottoms (but don’t forget the pants!)

The way you dress for work is only part of what makes an impression. In his book Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, Austin Kleon says, “You have to dress for the job you want, not the job you have, and you have to start doing the work you want to be doing.”

In other words, you can dress to perfection, but you also need to follow through with substance. If you’re in an interview, be prepared. Answer interview questions thoughtfully. If you’re already working, be conscientious about your work. Go out of your comfort zone. Offer to take on tasks that are a reach for you.

At the end of the day, there’s something to be said for dressing for yourself. You want to feel comfortable and confident in the clothes you wear. Yes, pay attention to the expectations of your industry and your role. Sometimes that’s what you need to do to get your foot in the door.

Once you’ve built some credibility, though, you’ll have a little more leeway to dress in a way that feels right for you. When you show up for yourself, as much as for other people’s expectations, you project a kind of confidence that’s hard to quantify. Who knows where that will lead?