Yes, your interview will take place during the summer months, but you can still look fashionable despite the scorching temperatures.
There are a few considerations as well as tried-and-true tips to help you achieve perfectly balanced attire. This balance is influenced by your personality, professionalism, and of course, the weather.
In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about summer interview outfits to help you make a lasting impression!
What to Consider for Summer Interview Outfits
Let’s start with the basics, which are the four things you should think about before putting together your interview outfit:
The Temperature
The first thing you should do is check the weather forecast for the day of your interview. Even though it seems like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised at how many people overlook it.
Checking the temperature allows you to choose an outfit that complements it and avoids unpleasant surprises. For example, if it turns out to be super sunny, prepare some light clothing and avoid layering. If you see that it may drizzle a little, bring a raincoat with you.
The Guidelines Set by the Employer
Pay close attention to the email you receive if it contains any information about a dress code. Several companies will include a description of the interview attire that they expect interviewees to wear.
Of course, they won’t go into great detail about how you should look. They’ll mention whether you should wear business formal, business casual, or casual attire.
How Far You’ll Have to Travel for the Interview
The distance between your home and the interview location is also important to know.
Because if the distance is long and you want to wear, say, a blazer, I recommend you do so when you arrive at your destination. By doing this, you’ll be less likely to get a sweat stain on your shirt or whatever you’re wearing underneath it.
You should also wear clothing that’ll hold up well during the long drive without wrinkling.
Current Business Attire Trends
Part of a great outfit is its style. Make sure your attire reflects the most recent business-related fashion trends.
Remember, you don’t want to send the wrong message with your clothing; yes, outfits do speak volumes! Thus, if you want to say, “I’m up-to-date and fashionable,” steer clear of outdated clothing styles.
Tips for Choosing a Summer Interview Outfit
Moving on to the collection of tips that’ll put you on the right path to selecting the perfect outfit for your upcoming summer interview:
Remember This Is Your First Impression
Since first impressions often linger, make sure you leave a strong one in terms of your skills but a subtle one in terms of your style.
That’s why you should avoid flashy shoes, graphic t-shirts, heavy makeup, and anything else that can make an impression on you before you speak.
Besides, first impressions are important to 95% of people. That’s to say, don’t take it for granted because the interviewer is most likely one of them.
Choose Light, Wrinkle-Free Material
Feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing is key. Since the interview is in the summer months, you should wear something light and breathable. It would help if you didn’t have to deal with the pressure of an interview while sweating in heavy clothing!
To achieve a slick look, opt for wrinkle-free fabrics. Pure cotton, for example, is ideal for warm weather, but it wrinkles easily. Wear a cotton and polyester blend to hack this fact.
Remember the AC Will Be On
If you aren’t planning on wearing a jacket or blazer, bring one just in case. The company you’re going to will most likely have the AC on, and in some cases, they like to keep it on at pretty low temperatures; I learned this the hard way.
Feeling cold can sap our energy as well as concentration, and we want both at full capacity during interviews.
Choose Your Shoes Wisely
The dress code or the company’s culture will strongly influence the type of shoes you wear. However, there are some fundamentals from which you shouldn’t stray.
One of them is to refrain from wearing open-toed footwear. This means no sandals and certainly no flip-flops. You should also aim for neutral colors that aren’t too popping.
For the ladies, you can’t go wrong with dress shoes like these:
- Flats
- Boots
- 3-inch heels
Men, your best bet is to stick to the following footwear:
- Chukka boots
- Loafers
- Oxfords
Wear Accessories for Personality
Accessories are a great way to show off your personal style. Yet, make sure to portray it professionally.
Wearing a lot of jewelry can steal the show and cause distractions. Instead, if you put on a cute little pair of earrings, a simple necklace, a minimalistic watch, or all of them, you’d give off the desired vibe.
Opt for a Tote Not a Backpack
When planning your summer interview outfits, try not to include a backpack. Don’t get me wrong, I love backpacks, and there are countless chic yet professional designs available these days.
This is primarily a summer tip because backpacks can leave sweat stains on the back of your shirt. That’s why tote bags, briefcases, crossbody bags, or anything else with a similar style are preferable.
What Not to Wear in Summer Interview Outfits
There are a few things that never change when it comes to what not to wear to an interview; take a look:
Clothes That Show Sweat Stains
Some clothes show sweat stains, and others help us reveal them. If you’re concerned about these stains showing, I strongly advise you to avoid wearing light shades.
As you may know or have seen before, bright color frames sweat patches as a painting in a museum! Shades of black, brown, and navy blue come to the rescue in these situations.
You also need to watch out for the material you’re wearing. For instance, synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, are more water-repellent, and thus trap sweat rather than absorb it.
Tank Tops or Spaghetti Straps
Tank tops and spaghetti straps are summer essentials. That said, they’re a no-go in any interview unless you’re applying as a trainer in a gym; in that case, it’s fine to show off the “big guns.”
I understand that the weather can be brutal, but you can always opt for a light sleeveless shirt or blouse.
Sun Dresses
Sundresses and warm weather are a match made in heaven, but unfortunately, this match is only for casual occasions. Their cuts, colors, and overall style clash with the majority, if not all, corporate environments.
However, as you’ll see in a moment, this doesn’t apply to all dresses.
Shorts or Short Skirts
Shorts for both men and women, as well as short skirts, are the enemies of a professional look.
You must also recognize that many people in organizations come from backgrounds other than your own. So the first impression, which we discussed the importance of earlier, won’t be on your side if the hiring manager is conservative.
Anything Too Revealing
The only thing you should reveal in an interview is your qualifications for the position. That’s all we want the interviewer to focus on.
Avoid wearing clothes that are, or appear to be, too revealing. This means no ripped jeans, cleavage tops, strapless tops, or anything else that could be considered inappropriate.
Summer Interview Outfit Ideas
I’m going to share with you a couple of interview outfit ideas for both sexes that I know for sure won’t let you down during the hot summer months.
Ideas for Women
As the unwritten universal rule states, ladies first. So, ladies, here are some styling ideas to consider:
Thin Blouse Underneath a Lightweight Suit
A suit is always a good choice because of the professionalism it conveys. To avoid feeling hot in your suit, choose lightweight fabrics such as linen or cotton rather than wool. Pair it with a breathable blouse, preferably one with short sleeves, and viola; boss lady mode is activated!
It would be ideal if the suit jacket wasn’t tight as extra friction means more sweating. For the same reason, wide-leg pants are favorable to skinny ones.
Wear a Lightweight Dress With a Blazer
If you have a plain, classy dress you can certainly style it for your interview. Aside from keeping you cool in warm weather, the dress and blazer combo is a winner. To escape sweltering, choose a dress that’s flowy rather than tight-fitting.
In fact, a plain shirt dress will do the trick as well. It’s neutral, loose-fitting, and looks great with flats or heels.
Ideas for Men
Next, we have the following ideas for interview clothes for men:
Lightweight Suit
Putting on a suit for your interview is inarguably a wise choice. However, again, it’s critical to understand the dress code or company culture. Because wearing a suit to a startup where the hiring manager is wearing a t-shirt and jeans may be too formal.
As previously mentioned, choose a suit made of light fabrics and avoid wool ones. For an interview, you only need a basic suit; avoid peak lapels or anything similar.
The colors navy blue and charcoal gray are currently trending in the business world. You can wear them with either a light blue or a white shirt.
Lightweight Shirt With Slacks
Slacks are your best friend at any business casual event. In the winter, you can wear slacks made of wool or a wool blend, and in the summer, stick with cotton or linen.
You can choose from khaki, gray, or navy blue slacks. Wear a thin shirt with a subtle pattern as the top, only if the slacks are plain; don’t overdo patterns.
Best Fabrics to Wear
The following are the top three materials to choose from for your summer interview attire:
1. Cotton
Cotton has been our summer savior for who knows how long. Since it’s a natural fiber, it has some exclusive characteristics.
Aside from being gentle on our skin, cotton allows air to circulate through it, keeping us cool during heat waves. It’s also lightweight and effective at absorbing sweat.
2. Rayon
The semi-synthetic fiber rayon, or viscose as some call it, has a softness that we crave in the summer. It has a similar feel to silk but at a much lower cost.
Ryon’s popularity stems from its excellent breathability and how smoothly it drapes on the body. It also has moisture-wicking properties, but not as well as cotton.
3. Linen
Linen is a go-to for combating extreme heat due to its exceptional airiness. It’s a natural fiber that’s even more durable than cotton. It stands out from other fabrics because of how quickly it absorbs sweat and releases moisture from our bodies.
The only thing that makes people hesitate to wear linen is how fast it wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should a Teen Wear to an Interview in the Summer?
You can rely on certain outfits to make you look responsible and mature. For the boys, opt for a neat shirt or polo t-shirt as the top and slacks or khakis as the bottoms. For the girls, pair a nice blouse with a pair of formal pants or a knee-length skirt.
Can You Wear Jeans to an Interview?
A pair of jeans was never considered appropriate interview attire. Jeans are a strictly casual choice and shouldn’t even be worn to business casual events. It’s only a green light for you to wear them if the company has explicitly stated that casual clothing is acceptable.
Wrapping Up
I hope you’ve gained the confidence to put together killer summer interview outfits. As a piece of advice, plan ahead of time; don’t leave it until the last minute. You don’t want to discover on the day of the interview that part of your outfit needs to be washed or ironed.
I’d also like to mention that if not knowing the company’s dress code worries you, you can ask the hiring manager about it; it’s not a problem at all.
Good luck!
