Do I need to wear a suit for an interview?

I have the same dilemma on Wednesday. Might leave the jacket in the car. Haven't worn a tie for several years, won't be wearing one very often in the role.

Depending on the role, you may have to suck it up and wear a suit. Have you got anything light? Maybe linen?

If you can get a light blue shirt, beigen linen suit and some decent tan/brown brogues, you may be able to swing the "Our man in..." tropical look.

Unfortunately the answer is always yes

Its a Yes. Hopefully they appreciate your decision and ask you to take of your jacket, or maybe they have a nicely air conditioned office.

I'd be carrying the suit in a bag and getting changed just before I get there

Yes, definitely. You only have one chance to make a lasting impression.

But you should also wear crocs (for exactly the same reason)

As with all sartorial choices, just ask yourself ‘what would Alan do?’

I’d be carrying the suit in a bag and getting changed just before I get there

Bonus points for doing it in the reception!

Yes; wear a tie and decide when you get there whether or not to remove it.
If interviewer(s) is/are 'smart casual' you could say...I'm feeling a little over-dressed, do you mind if I remove my tie.
Why not call and ask if they have a dress code for interviews?
Good luck - hope it goes well!

You’ll know the companies and industry better then I but, sadly, I’d be defaulting to a suit. You might not need one, but certainly in the industries I work in it’s be expected.
I might drop the tie though…

Fish net stockings posing pouch and tank top. Be yourself.

Chinos and a polo shirt. Tucked in. Boat shoes. No socks.

computer game programmer probably not, bank manager probably yes.

Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.

I’m currently awaiting a disciplinary meeting, in my Batman suit.

Suit. There may be some places you would be fine without, but it's never a wrong choice. (Having worked in several such places, and interviewed in more. This despite wearing shorts and a t-shirt for the job itself.)

Weird how even I’m these globally warmed days it’s hard to find light smart clothes, and don’t even mention linen. In fact it’ll get wrinkled if you mention it. I bought a suit ages ago in Reiss and it’s long long pst the point where it should have been binned but its very lightweight wool and I’ve worn it from Qatar to Calcutta and been comfortable, and never found one to replace it.

The usual advice is to go on a reach and see what people who work there are wearing. You should then wear something a bit smarter than that.

The last job I went for was in a theatre. I’d seen that people were very casual during the work day, as I’d expect for the sort of work, so I wore a dark suit with a collarless shirt. It worked as I got the job.

I’d be carrying the suit in a bag and getting changed just before I get there

Tricky choice, I'd go Sainsbury's half decent quality but not got the same level of middle class angst as Waitrose. Whatever you do don't do Asda or farm foods.

If interviewer(s) is/are ‘smart casual’ you could say…I’m feeling a little over-dressed, do you mind if I remove my tie.

Is it just me that finds this a little weird? 🤭

This is a difficult question and the answer is probably "it depends" 😉

generalist - that's a tried and tested approach; what's weird about it?

I didn't for my current job and I work in a professional office environment, my interviewer (current director) didn't either. I did wear a shirt and tie though.

I’ve went to a couple of jobs where i wore a suit and other candidates didn’t.
Both times i got the job.
I wasn’t over qualified.
Make of that what you will 👍👍

If you go with a suit and tie, you've at least shown respect for the company.

If they then let you sit there all sweaty and don't suggest you can remove the jacket and/or tie, it tells you about the type of people you'd be working for. 😉

When we were after a junior in the garage the lad who turned up in a suit was hired.
He was a total stoner waste of space.

If in doubt wear a suit but that also begs the question of what kind of suit!

However, I've never had a successful formal interview and consequently, I've never been successful in an interview wearing a suit!

You'd think that by now society would have reached a point where we can all admit that suits and ties are uncomfortable, impractical and, essentially, a dick swinging contest, and just wear something appropriate for the task at hand. If I didn't get a job because I didn't wear a suit, it's probably not a job I'd want.

Still, you probably should wear a suit. Business is serious business. Don't forget your briefcase full of gummy bears.

Suit. There may be some places you would be fine without, but it’s never a wrong choice. (Having worked in several such places, and interviewed in more. This despite wearing shorts and a t-shirt for the job itself.)

I remember being told in an interview that it was the last time i'd ever need to wear a tie in that company. Definitely no suits required in Tasmania!

You’d think that by now society would have reached a point where we can all admit that suits and ties are uncomfortable, impractical and, essentially, a dick swinging contest,

This! Suit jackets serve no purpose apart from to cover fat guts and to use a less protective version of a coat to get from a building to a vehicle.

Unfortunately the answer is always yes

Thankfully, it isn't.
I haven't worn one, barring weddings, since my first job interview.

I work in IT, not in management (thank god) but have still worn a suit or jacket/smart trousers at every interview in the last 20 years. Things are, luckily, a bit different in Sweden with ties being a little too much for most people (even in traditional finance), so I have managed to avoid them since moving here.

Whatever you choose, good luck today. Given ‘em hell!

No tie for me. Ever again.

I don’t know the culture of the org you’re going to/have gone to for interview, but that would be my biggest influence away from black jeans/khakis and finely-patterned or plain shirt. Maybe an Aloha shirt if the interview were on a Friday.

If they then let you sit there all sweaty and don’t suggest you can remove the jacket and/or tie, it tells you about the type of people you’d be working for

That’s funny.
As a grown-up I’d expect the OP to take their comfort into their own hands.

This! Suit jackets serve no purpose apart from to cover fat guts and to use a less protective version of a coat to get from a building to a vehicle

I like jackets - lots of useful pockets, can be adjusted for different temperatures. Ties are torture, though.

Linen suit, patterned shirt, no tie. Ask if they mind if you remove your jacket. They'll like that as an opener.

that suits and ties are uncomfortable, impractical and, essentially, a dick swinging contest,

I can't think l of anything less 'dick swinging' than wearing a suit.
It basically screams " I am beholden to you and need something off you. I am wearing this ridiculous ensemble in an attempt to win your favour"

You know about your industry dresscode better than us.

I could wear a shirt and jacket for some interviews, others I'd go suit & tie.

But you've got a guaranteed conversation-starter either way: "Phew, hot one today isn't it? I'm going to have to take this jacket off."

@chakaping - that's fine unless you're nervous and accidentally replace 'jacket' with 'trousers' 🙂

I was on the panel for a senior position at a university a few weeks ago when it was very hot and we're were in a small un air-conditioned room. We actually sent out a note to all candidates that we were not going to be wearing formal wear/suits and they were welcome to follow that guidance.

One guy still did turn up in a suit, but removed jacket and tie before we started.

@chakaping – that’s fine unless you’re nervous and accidentally replace ‘jacket’ with ‘trousers’ 🙂

This is why I never wear my stripper trousers to job interviews, just in case I get confused and go full Partyboy...

I think it depends on too many things.

1. How the organisation sees itself

2. How the organisation sees and treats it's employees

3. The impression you think is needed. (is this a tick box, who're the other applicants)

4. The type of role you're applying for. (what sort of seniority it is, are you being recruited for your knowledge, or your experience etc)

5. Who approached who, and what the expectations following the interview are (Is it a formality, or are you some Joe off the street, how well do you know each other)

6. industry norms.

TBH, on a basic level, what the weather is doing on the particular day is moot. They may suggest that you remove a tie, or you could ask, it may or may not have any impact, or all the difference. Who knows.

I went to an interview a couple of weeks back on a hot day, in a hotter room.

When I got in there, the bloke had taken his jacket and tie off, and the 2 women were fairly dressed down.

At that point I just asked if they minded if I took my jacket and tie off given the heat. They said they didnt mind.... didnt get the job though lol

You’d think that by now society would have reached a point where we can all admit that suits and ties are uncomfortable, impractical and, essentially, a dick swinging contest, and just wear something appropriate for the task at hand. If I didn’t get a job because I didn’t wear a suit, it’s probably not a job I’d want.

I was going to say similar and bit my tongue, so I'm glad someone else did.

Interviews aside, it's just bloody silly in this day and age. "It's 30' outside, best put my coat on." They're uncomfortable, impractical, and we really shouldn't be in a place where (say) a politician wearing an open-necked shirt is considered rebellious or edgy. They're a legacy of the class system and of the patriarchy, both of which can get in the sea. I don't think I've ever seen any of our upper tiers of Manglement wear a tie in forever, up to and including the CEO. It's just unnecessary.

Yet, it does still persist in interviews. I'd probably wear a suit to one just because I feel obliged, like I have to demonstrate that I've made an effort. But this is 30-year old wisdom, does it still apply? It shouldn't, but it probably does (doubly so with "manager" and "London" in the same sentence I expect). The reaction really should be, "Did you see that bloody idiot today? Hottest day of the year and he strolled in wearing a jacket, with his shirt collar nipped up airtight! I was sweating just looking at him!" But, eh, here we are I guess.

As above; I reckon I'd chance my arm in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, open with "I apologise for my attire, normally I'd wear a formal suit to an interview but it's stupidly hot out there and sweating profusely is not a good look." If I didn't get the job based purely on that, I doubt it's somewhere I'd want to work anyway.

essentially, a dick swinging contest,

It's been said before, but the reality is that the 2 piece suits is so that it's not a dick swinging contest. that's the whole point of the thing, that's why the idiom "the men in grey suits" exists, and not "The men in gold threaded doublet with pearl button detail, hand sewn edging and lace trim..." At least we're not forced (yet at least) into the US business wear of white polo shirt and Khaki* chinos, so beloved of Silicon Valley and the Alt-right...

*pronounced to rhyme with tacky, the idiots.

a short-sleeved shirt

No, for the love of God, no.

I was on an interview panel via Teams last week, so I wore a bus driver (i.e. short sleeved) shirt - plus tie - but angled the camera so no-one could see my bare arms. Score!

Brothers ,we must fight male dress code oppression.
It's just completely ****ing stupid.

To the op and others when interviews, best of luck!

a short-sleeved shirt

Unless you're interviewing to be a bus driver or to fix photocopiers for the love of God, no.

Brothers ,we must fight male dress code oppression.

To be fair, this is only for an interview. I'm sat working today in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

I wore a suit on a really bloody hot day a few years back. To a job interview at Wiggle. The interviewer was wearing shorts and a Star Wars t-shirt.

Brothers ,we must fight male dress code oppression.

I'm not really a fan of suits, but TBH, I've been in offices where there's no dress policy either and frankly it's worse. Men, and the subset of men that have shall we say; a better working relationship with machines than people, are really really bad at decoding what's suitable for working alongside other people.

At the very least, suits take away the tyranny of decision making, and mean that I won't have to have a conversation with people about why sandals/stained beach-shorts/tee-shirts with the words "**** Da Police" on them, are not (repeat, underlined, not) suitable choices of business attire

a short-sleeved shirt

Unless you’re interviewing to be a bus driver or to fix photocopiers for the love of God, no.

Odd. If I did you wouldn't see me and nobody I know or have ever known actually gives a shit what other people wear at work, so yeah... odd

I love a stw "what should I wear" thread. A threads thread if you will... (Shoot me.)

Research Institute?

Assuming you're comfortable wearing suits, then ightweight summer suit, white shirt, no tie. Definitely no tie. Only Mog, Johnson and Trump wear ties these days. The coffin lid needs nailing down. (Shame in a way as I've some nice ones.)

As someone who still wears suits now and again for the most formal work things, I think things have swung to the point that it looks a bit odd to see someone wearing a tie with one.

Weird how even I’m these globally warmed days it’s hard to find light smart clothes, and don’t even mention linen.

That's because we live closer to the North Pole than to the tropics, and it's only properly warm for about 3 weeks a year. I drove home from work 2 weeks ago with the thermometer telling me that it was 14 degrees as I shivered in T-shirt and shorts. I have given myself hypothermia trying to celebrate my birthday sitting outside a cafe in August! Give it a week or two and normal service will resume and we'll be able to wear our hats and scarves again and forget this ridiculous talk of lightweight suits. 😀

No, for the love of God, no.

Yet shorts at an interview is OK? Weird. What would you suggest instead, tie and dress shirt, Bermuda shorts and flip-flops? It'd probably look fine once you'd sat down. Dress code: Microsoft Teams.

My point, which you've (both) just reinforced, was "bollocks to convention." A short-sleeved shirt is viewed as a poor choice for an interview but why? It's a sensible choice in this heat even if you're not going to win any fashion awards. I'd prefer to turn up comfortable and relaxed, rather than trussed up, wet through and smelling like a high-school gym locker room.

I was going to say similar and bit my tongue, so I’m glad someone else did.

Interviews aside, it’s just bloody silly in this day and age. “It’s 30′ outside, best put my coat on.” They’re uncomfortable, impractical, and we really shouldn’t be in a place where (say) a politician wearing an open-necked shirt is considered rebellious or edgy. They’re a legacy of the class system and of the patriarchy, both of which can get in the sea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of our upper tiers of Manglement wear a tie in forever, up to and including the CEO. It’s just unnecessary.

This - But I would wear a suit and sweat my balls off just in case.

My point, which you’ve (both) just reinforced, was “bollocks to convention.”

Depends if you want the job or not. No harm in fighting against convention, you've just got to decide if you mind that the fight might cost you a job.
Should it cost you a job? Of course not. But it might, so depends if that's a risk/fight you want to take.
There's no way I'd ever wear a short sleeve shirt in the sector I work as I know certain people would look down on it. The same applies if wearing a tie and no jacket, just not the done thing. Suit and no tie would be fine though.

A short-sleeved shirt is viewed as a poor choice for an interview but why?

Because short sleeved is casual, not formal, and casual shirts ought not to be tucked in. Suits are by their nature formal wear. You see where this madness ends?

Dogs and Cats living together...

My current boss congratulated me on being the only one they interviewed to wear a tie on what was the hottest day of the year.

For my current Job I had a phone interview, yes phone, not teams, not skype, not zoom. I double checked and yes it was a phone interview.

I still wore a suit!

Because that's what you wear for an interview, I did rebel a bit and have short sleeves underneath the jacket

Eh! You wore a suit for a telephone interview? That’s just, nope, can’t even think of a descriptive term for that. I hate long sleeved clothing in general, too restrictive and just end up rolling the sleeves up. Suits can **** off.

That's next level. I mean, I wore a shirt and tie for a Teams interview when I was in the US and the interviewers were in the UK.

Ok, it was shorts, shirt and tie, but they did not need to know that and it was 5am my time and I was jetlagged beyond belief, so only to be expected really.

Most companies or recruiters will tell you if its a no suit situation, baring this I would go suited as you will not piss anyone off this way. if there is a second you might have a feel for the place then

I still wore a suit!

Amazing!

Shirley a linen mankini would be the nest compromise - just don't forget the bowtie

Never ever wear a suit without a tie unless you are wearing a t shirt and auditioning for Miami vice. It looks sloppy.

For an interview always a suit and tie.

Jacket no tie. If they don’t offer the job because you didn’t wear a tie that’s a bullet dodged.

Depends if you want the job or not.

If they're going to judge me for not wearing a business suit in the middle of a heatwave then no, I don't want it. Dodged a bullet there.

Might be different as a manager in London, but the only time you'll catch a hacker in a suit is during a physical penetration scenario.

Because short sleeved is casual, not formal, and casual shirts ought not to be tucked in. Suits are by their nature formal wear. You see where this madness ends?

By being employed on merit rather than how expensive your clothing is?

I cannot believe you bunch of slobs! Jacket no tie? Slovenly

Put it this way. If Clarkson wears it the do not copy him

See also sports jacket and jeans. Untucked shirts. Brown shoes unless brogues and the job is on a farm

Its not difficult

If you don't want to wear a tie a cravat may be acceptable

There’s no way I’d ever wear a short sleeve shirt in the sector I work as I know certain people would look down on it.

I would look down on anyone that looked down on someone wearing a short sleeve shirt. Do I win?

As for short sleeved shirts. Only if you have a breast pocket full of pens to identify you as a neurodivergent nerd.

Ffs guys.

Grandad TJ strikes again!

Ties are exceptionally rare in my line of work (usually older senior managers or wannabes), unless you’re visiting clients in which case a suit and tie is expected (banking / finance).

I work in IT, it was suits no tie for a while before covid but now it’s just whatever you fancy, bosses are just happy you’ve come to the office!

Check out cost of bespoke shorts, short sleeved shirt, hand made crocodile skin belt.
You could get 10, or more, of Moss Bros or M&S 'finest' sartorial efforts for the same outlay- but why would you for clothes that only fit where they touch, don't hold their shape and are made from cheap fabrics.
It's for the interviewing company to determine appropriate standards; if an interviewee has a problem they should go elsewhere.

If you don’t want to wear a tie a cravat may be acceptable

Just checking, are you posting from the past? It’s 2022 FFS. Idiotic dress standards need to die. Cravats are for old, eccentric men who get cold necks. Hang on…

You could get 10, or more, of Moss Bros or M&S ‘finest’ sartorial efforts for the same outlay- but why would you for clothes that only fit where they touch, don’t hold their shape and are made from cheap fabrics.

Sounds great for the one instance every few years when I’ll need to wear a formal shirt for interview, death, wedding etc.

You either have style or you dont.

Being a sloppy dressed dork is not style

Wearing a suit is the opposite of style. It’s following a dress code. Also I’ve seen you give thumbs up to chinos and polo shirts on previous threads. You should stop posting now before you get in too deep. Plus kicking dogs is the most uncool thing ever and negates any style points gained from clothing 😉 p

As for short sleeved shirts. Only if you have a breast pocket full of pens to identify you as a neurodivergent nerd.

I don't need pens for that.

Being a sloppy dressed dork is not style

Correct, it's the rejection of conformity.

TJ, you've got a fan - or stalker - in funkmaster!
Congrats!
Well made, properly fitted suits in a range of fabrics are the epitome of style; light colours in lightweight fabrics for warm weather, darker colours inc stripes or checks for cooler weather.
Raggy shorts and band t-shirts are for working in garden.

Raggy shorts and band t-shirts are for working in garden technology.

Tl; Dr - it's entirely dependent on the role, employer and the culture

The Bank of England is not the same as Sami's Shawarma palace.