The Golden Rule Has Changed
Your parents probably told you to always wear a suit. That advice made sense when every office looked the same. Now? Showing up in a three-piece suit to a startup interview might actually hurt you—you'll look like you don't understand the culture.
The new rule: Dress one level above what employees wear daily.
If they wear jeans and t-shirts, you wear chinos and a nice button-down. If they wear business casual, you wear a blazer. Research the company culture first.
How to research: Check the company's Instagram, LinkedIn photos, Glassdoor reviews, or just ask the recruiter directly. "What's the dress code for the interview?" is a perfectly reasonable question.
What to Wear by Industry
Tech Companies
Google, Meta, startups, SaaS companies
For Men:
- Dark jeans or chinos (no holes)
- Button-down shirt or quality polo
- Clean sneakers or leather shoes
- Optional: Blazer for senior roles
For Women:
- Dark jeans or dress pants
- Blouse, nice sweater, or structured top
- Flats, low heels, or clean sneakers
- Optional: Blazer or cardigan
Pro tip: At FAANG companies, you can dress down more than you think. At enterprise software companies (Salesforce, Oracle), lean slightly more formal.
Finance & Banking
Investment banks, PE, hedge funds, corporate finance
For Men:
- Navy or charcoal suit (well-fitted)
- White or light blue dress shirt
- Conservative tie (solid or subtle pattern)
- Polished leather dress shoes
For Women:
- Tailored suit (pants or skirt)
- Professional blouse or shell top
- Closed-toe heels or flats
- Minimal, classic jewelry
Pro tip: Finance is still conservative. When in doubt, overdress. A well-fitted suit is never wrong for banking interviews.
Consulting
MBB, Big 4, boutique consulting firms
For Men:
- Dark suit (navy, charcoal, or black)
- Crisp white or blue dress shirt
- Tie (can be slightly more expressive than banking)
- Leather oxford or derby shoes
For Women:
- Professional suit or dress with blazer
- Blouse in a solid or subtle pattern
- Closed-toe heels (comfortable for walking)
- Professional bag or portfolio
Pro tip: Consulting firms expect you to be client-ready. Dress like you could walk into a Fortune 500 boardroom.
Startups
Early-stage, Series A-C, growth-stage startups
For Men:
- Chinos or dark jeans
- Button-down, henley, or quality t-shirt
- Clean sneakers or casual leather shoes
- Optional: Light jacket or quarter-zip
For Women:
- Jeans, chinos, or casual dress
- Nice top, sweater, or casual blouse
- Flats, boots, or clean sneakers
- Express personality through accessories
Pro tip: Startups value authenticity. Dress like a slightly more polished version of yourself—not like you're trying to be someone else.
Universal Don'ts (Any Industry)
Video Interview? Still Matters.
Yes, they can only see you from the waist up. No, that doesn't mean you can wear pajama pants. (What if you need to stand up?) Here's what to focus on:
Solid colors work best on camera
Avoid busy patterns, thin stripes, or small checks—they can create a "moiré effect" that's distracting on video.
Consider your background
If your background is light, wear something darker. If it's dark, wear something lighter. You want contrast so you don't blend in.
Test your outfit on camera first
Open Zoom or your webcam and see how you look. Check the lighting. Some colors look great in person but wash out on video.
Quick Reference Chart
| Industry | Formality | Key Piece |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Banking | Formal | Tailored suit |
| Consulting | Formal | Professional suit |
| Corporate (Fortune 500) | Business Formal | Suit or blazer combo |
| Big Tech (FAANG) | Smart Casual | Button-down + chinos |
| Startups | Casual+ | Nice jeans + quality top |
| Creative/Agency | Expressive Casual | Show your style |
Outfit Ready? Now Prep for the Questions.
Looking the part is step one. Learn how to answer the tough interview questions with our complete interview guide.
Read the Interview Guide