How to Dress for an Interview on a Budget

It’s no secret that lots of places are hiring these days. The number of jobs posted online now is over 50% higher than February 2020. And there’s no sign that hiring is slowing down anytime soon.¹ Some employers are getting so desperate that they’re offering huge sign-on bonuses and extra perks like paid gym memberships, lunch stipends, or college tuition reimbursement. So it seems that workers have all the power these days. That’s great news if you’re looking for a job!

With that said, you still want the best job possible, and if you’ve found one you really want, you’ll want to make a great impression during your interview. Experts say that those first five minutes in an interview are crucial to getting a job offer—or not. The real trick is how to make that first impression golden, without actually spending, you know…gold.

Below we’ll explore how to dress for an interview on a budget. We’ll cover what to wear, where to shop, and tricks for making it all cheaper without looking cheap.

What’s the proper attire for an interview?

Hold my latte please, I’d like to try on those Jimmy Choos! (Ha, in my dreams.) In all seriousness, you really don’t need to go all out and wear brand name fashion to an interview. In fact, looking TOO done up could actually distract from your work skills—and it could seriously dent your savings. Instead, wear something classic and keep it simple.

Here’s what to wear to an interview:

1. Neutral colors²

• Beige
• Black
• Brown
• Gray
• Navy
• White

2. Classic fits

• Blazer
• Leather dress shoes
• Long sleeve, buttoned dress shirt
• Pants that flatter you

Here’s what NOT to wear to an interview:

1. Too much…

• Accessories
• Jewelry (no more than one ring on each hand)[3]
• Makeup
• Perfume or cologne
• Skin showing
• Words or logos

2. Too little…

• Deodorant
• Clothing
• Tooth brushing (okay, that’s not something you can wear, but you get my point!)

🏢 If you can stop by or check the profiles of people who work where you’re interviewing, that might give you some ideas of how traditional or trendy to dress.

Where should I shop for interview clothes?

It’s easy to assume that good interview clothes can only be found at expensive shops or department stores. But guess what? Nowadays you can buy, rent, or get interview clothes for FREE. Some of the best items I’ve found came from cheap places! My favorite pencil skirt? From a friend. White blouse? Sale rack. Best black shoes? Okay, you caught me. I paid full price for those…10 years ago!

Here’s where to look for FREE interview clothes:

• Your own closet, or a friend!
• 211.org
• Career Gear
• Dress for Success
• Goodwill Job Connection
• H&M
• Jails to Jobs
• Your nearest American Job Center
• YWCA

Here’s where to buy affordable interview clothes:

• Amazon
• Consignment shops
• eBay
• Target
• thredUP (online thrift store)
• Walmart

Here’s where to rent interview clothes:

• Express Style Trial 
• Infinite Style by Ann Taylor 
• Le Tote 
• New York & Company Closet 
• Rent the Runway 
• The Mr. & Ms. Collection 

👞 Some items may be worth spending more on, if you plan to keep them for years. Shoes, belts, bags, and coats are more splurge-worthy, especially if you can get a good deal with a coupon or sale.

Tricks of the trade

You don’t always have to buy or rent something new to look good for an interview. One trick that blew my mind was re-styling existing pieces into something that looks professional.

Here’s how to style your existing wardrobe for an interview:

• Get it altered (pandemic bods, anyone?)
• Clean and polish your old black or brown shoes
• Tuck it in
• Wear a belt
• Roll up sleeves a tad if they’re too short or long (Think: Ryan Gosling in the movie “La La Land.”)

✂️ Don’t forget to get a haircut and keep facial hair groomed—40% of all applicants create a negative first impression due to poor grooming.⁴

How much should I spend on interview clothes?

I’ve never been a big fan of breaking the bank for an interview, even if the job is going to pay way more. Because at the end of the day, with or without that next raise, clothes are still just clothes…they’re not permanent.

That said, if you need to buy, rent, borrow, or restyle some clothes to make your very best first impression, you might be interested in my own personal spending guide. Or you could make your own (before shopping of course!).

Here are some spending guidelines for interview clothes:

• Only buy what you’ll wear again
• For shirts, don’t spend more than $30-40
• For pants or skirts, keep it close to $50
• For shoes, pay $50-100…but only if they’re walk- and weather-proof!

Put your best foot (and shoe) forward!

This year’s crazy roller coaster of employment might have us all slightly askew. But don’t let the ups and downs derail your clothing budget, even if those clothes could get you a new job. With a few tricks up your sleeve, like shopping smart, renting, or altering, you can still look sharp while keeping your bank balance intact.