Human Resources experts say that the first impression of the candidate goes a long way in deciding whether that person is ideal for the position that is on offer, or not. Hence it is necessary to dress appropriately for an interview along with other preparations essential to land you the job. You need to start by understanding their style of operation and gather some insights into the dress code of their employees. Some of the photos on their website could give you some idea about their official dress code. Some organisations upload some of their policies and procedures online as well, do check if you find the dress code too. You may visit the social media pages of the organisation and check some photos of the office environment.

While it may be cool to walk into the office of a start-up or a software company in casuals, for the brick and mortar companies, it is not so. And for the banking and financial services industry, the employees also come to the office in formals every day of the week. It works for you if you dress appropriately for the interview.

Some of you may find it confusing how to dress up for an interview. Given the grim economic scenario and many of the employees losing their jobs, you must make the most of all the opportunities that come your way. In this article, we will discuss the tips for you about dressing professionally for an interview.

The general dress code may vary across organisations, and it might just be fine to walk into the office in your casuals on a weekday. However, when you are visiting an organisation for an interview, you should wear formals. You just cannot assume the dress code of an organisation by being a rank outsider.

Wearing a formal dress also provides a better impression of the candidate. And the first impression has a lasting impact on your candidature. As soon as you enter the office, there could be people tracking your dress code and movements. It is more prevalent for positions in the senior management cadre. This is why it is better to know what to wear for an interview and what are the things you must avoid for an interview.

You must be dressed professionally for the interview to give it your best shot. It is ideal if you wear a light coloured shirt with long sleeves. Some of you may even have a separate wardrobe for interviews, and the premium brands are set aside for the interviews.

If you wish to buy a new shirt, you can search online in the "business formals" category, and there would be a long list for you to choose from. For your interview, the conservative colours are an ideal choice. Light grey, light blue or off-white are some of the best options. Solid shirts without any stripes can be worn, but striped shirts can also go. Shirts with too much design must be avoided. A standard collar where the edges point downwards at a 60° angle is suitable. You can choose the short to be a regular or slim fit, as per your wish.

Arrow is one of the best premium brands for men's clothes. This shirt with a white base and blue stripes can be your choice. It isn't splashy but is a popular option that can grace your wardrobe. This long-sleeved shirt is made of 100% cotton fabric and is a regular fit with a cutaway collar. You can wash it in cold water. This Arrow Men's White & Blue Striped Formal Shirt is available on Amazon for ₹ 1,247.00.

You can wear a suit but only if it is acceptable in the industry you plan to work in and if you feel comfortable in it. If you are comfortable wearing a suit, you must choose a dark-coloured one like navy blue, dark brown or black. While selecting a suit, you must decide whether to choose a two-piece or a three-piece suit. A two-piece suit includes the blazer and the trousers, while a three-piece suit also includes of a matching vest.

The fitting of the suit is very important. The latest fashion trend is the slim fit, but given the summer months, you must not choose it unless you are comfortable. The classic fit is the best option as it provides broader shoulders along with more air for the back and the chest.

This two-piece suit from the Blackberrys stable can be an ideal choice for wearing to the interview. It comes in sizes from 32 to 44 in a slim fit. The fabric used is 18% rayon and 82% terylene and it has a notch collar. It is available for ₹ 5,554.00 on Amazon.

You must also take care of the bottom wear and make sure that it should be of the correct length and fall. A dark-coloured trouser will look good with a light-coloured shirt. Blue, grey or black could be the ideal colour. But do not choose a printed one, and a smart plain trouser will be a better choice.

Whether you are a fresher or a seasoned professional, the regular fit trousers from Marks and Spencer will look good on you. The 100% polyester fabric has a relaxed fit and is machine washable. It costs ₹ 1,792.00 and is available on Amazon.

A pair of formal shoes will complete your power dressing for the interview. A conservative pair of leather shoes will be ideal but do remember to have them polished the night before. You can have another round of polish just before the interview at any roadside cobbler. A pair of dark-coloured socks should be worn. You must choose the colour between blue, black or navy blue. Any awkward colour like green can leave a wrong impression about you.

Most of us are very selective about our shoes, but you must wear either black or brown boots to the interview. While buying a new pair, always ensure that the toe and the heel do not get deformed. Request the salesman to take the proper measurement of your feet and recommend the appropriate size for you. Also, examine whether the soles are sturdy to endure the wear and tear of everyday use. You must try the shoes yourself by putting them on and walking a few steps in the showroom itself.

The lace-up men’s formal shoes from Red Chief can be an ideal choice and also come with a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty. It is priced at ₹ 1,835.00 and is available on Amazon.

You are expected to get rid of your sunglasses before entering the office. If you wear spectacles, you must not wear frames that are too jazzy. A simple frame should work well. You must have a neat and professional hairstyle that would enhance your personality.

You must have a matching tie that is not too flashy, but not dull as well. A tie in blue can be worn with any formal shirt. To select a suitable tie, you must choose one based on its height proportionate to your build. A simple-patterned blue or crimson tie will match well with a light coloured shirt.

Lino Perros is known for its premium range of ties, and this patterned, poly silk tie will look good on any formal shirt. It costs ₹ 1,138.00 and is available on Flipkart.

Once you are all decked up for the interview, you need to carry your documents, resume, a notepad and other stationery items for the interview. You cannot just take a folder; it is very unprofessional. You need to have a brown or black laptop bag to carry your documents.

The bag need not be very flashy, but this ordinary Hammonds Flycatcher Original Bombay Black Leather Bag can double up as your laptop bag on other days. This laptop bag is made from premium materials and is ideal for carrying your belongings and will look professional too. It is easy to carry and has several pockets. It is available at a heavily discounted price of ₹ 1,999.00 on Amazon.

Apart from dressing up appropriately for the interview, you must also take care of your overall appearance. You cannot go unshaven to the interview, and unique haircuts are best avoided. Your clothes must be cleaned and pressed. Soiled garments will have a negative impact on your chances. Also, you must wear polished shoes and dust them off before entering the organisation.

If you are wearing a suit or a blazer to the interview, always remember that it will not augment what you wear underneath unless you wear a premium full-sleeved, collared shirt underneath. A hands-free could look good but remove it before entering the interview room.

A mild deodorant or a body spray should be enough along with a limited amount of aftershave. You need to carry your documents and a few copies of the resume. Also, take a notebook and a pen to jot down any relevant points as takeaways from the interview. Carry your belongings in a laptop bag. If you are a graphic designer or a website developer, you may carry your laptop to showcase some of your work. Always take care to have the laptop adequately charged to last for the duration of the interview.

There are a few organisations where wearing casuals in the workplace is the norm. Interview candidates can also wear smart casuals. However, the guidelines are often misunderstood. But as an interview candidate, you cannot disregard the standards that are in place for casual wear at the workplace. While you may not like to wear an overtly formal dress for the interview, you need to know what to wear for the interview.

For men, button-downs or a light-colour full-sleeved casual shirt could be an ideal option. Colours like light blue, light brown, light grey, etc. will look good. The shirts can be striped or checked too.

It is good to dress in a white, and navy blue checked shirt with long sleeves and a button-down collar. This one from Tommy Hilfiger costs ₹ 2,999.00 and is available on Myntra.

A matching blazer could be ideal for your smart casuals. Semi-formal blazers could look well with light-coloured shirts and give that professional edge to the candidate and make the outfit appropriate in the office.

You must look for the best fit before anything else. Try it on, button-up and stretch your arms a bit. If you feel uncomfortable, select another one. Make sure that the shoulder seam is at the same level as your shoulder. While several colours could look just fine, but for starters, the navy blue one will be safe. It will be challenging to maintain a cotton blazer, but a terylene one will be just fine.

This regular fit Azure Blue Blazer from Manyavar can be your choice. It is a regular fit blazer made of terry rayon fabric. It is available for ₹ 4,999.00 on Manyavar.

Khakis or chinos could be your choice to match with a casual shirt. Colours like black, brown, etc. go well with all shades of shirts. Before choosing one for yourself, you must first check the quality of the fabric and then the comfort of wearing it. You must be comfortable enough to wear it for the interview, and a regular fit would work for you.

One option for you is this mid-rise khaki from Louis Philippe, which is comfortable being a regular fit. It is available for 40 and 42 waist sizes and costs ₹ 2,649.00 on Myntra.

You may choose leather shoes in dark colours but limit your choice to black and shades of brown only. White sneakers can be an option but do gather information if that works well with the dress code of the organisation.

This brown leather Derby Corporate Casuals from Red Tape can be your choice. It comes with a 3-month manufacturer's warranty and costs ₹ 2,278.00 on Flipkart.