Tonight you receive an email scheduling an internship interview for tomorrow morning. You open the wardrobe: three T-shirts, a shirt left over from your high-school graduation, one pair of jeans still in good shape. Your budget barely covers food until the end of the month. This is the situation of a great many students, and the question of what a student should wear to an interview does not require you to own a whole wardrobe of suits, only three well-chosen pieces.
Quick answer
What should a student wear to an interview? Just three pieces: a white shirt, plain grey trousers and a navy blazer. These three combine for almost any interview situation, look good worn separately, and stay useful long after you have started work.
Why these three pieces
Recruiters do not expect a student to wear an expensive suit. They want to see that you know how to dress for the occasion, neatly, and that you take the meeting seriously. The three pieces below deliver that at the lowest cost:
- White shirt: the base of every combination. Clean white, long sleeves, a collar firm enough to hold its shape.
- Plain grey trousers: grey pairs easily with every shirt colour, is gentler than black and more formal than khaki.
- Navy blazer: putting it on adds a whole level of seriousness, and taking it off gives you a smart casual look.
Add two more pieces, a light blue shirt and navy trousers, and you have eight ways to dress: two shirts times two pairs of trousers gives four outfits, and each outfit can be worn with or without the blazer. Eight combinations are enough for a whole month of applications.
How to choose each piece, right and affordable
White shirt
Choose medium-weight cotton, in a twill or poplin weave: not so thin that your undershirt shows through, not so thick that it is hot. A firm collar with the points not curling. Long sleeves, even in hot weather, because short sleeves are not serious enough for an interview. Most important is that it fits across the shoulders and is not too loose. A baggy shirt looks like a borrowed one.
Grey trousers
Mid grey (graphite grey) is the easiest colour to pair. Choose trousers with a comfortable waist and straight or slightly tapered legs, cleanly made and not shiny. The hem should just touch the top of the shoe. If the trousers are a little long, take them to an alteration shop to have the hem cut: a small cost for a big difference.
Navy blazer
Choose a single-breasted blazer in a wool blend or a crease-resistant polyester-wool blend. A matching shoulder is the first priority, because the shoulder is the hardest part to alter. Sleeves can be shortened, and the body can be lightly shaped at the waist. Do not buy a big blazer to “wear for a long time”; drooping shoulders make your whole figure look sloppy.
What should a student wear to an interview in five situations
| Situation | Blazer | Shirt | Trousers | Shoes | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internship interview at a tech company or startup | With or without | White or light blue | Grey or navy | Leather shoes or clean white sneakers | Not needed |
| Interview at a bank, in finance or law | Yes | White | Charcoal grey or navy | Black leather shoes | Yes, plain or finely striped |
| Interview at a Japanese or Korean company | Yes | White | Charcoal grey, navy | Polished black leather shoes | Yes, a muted colour |
| Online interview | Yes (dress fully, trousers included) | White or light blue | Yes, in case you stand up | Not required | Depends on the industry |
| Job fair, meeting many recruiters | Yes | White or light blue | Grey | Leather shoes or loafers | Not needed |
If you are applying to a company with a young culture, do not dress so formally that you are out of step. Look at staff photos on the company’s fanpage to gauge the level. For banking interviews, pitch the formality to the specific role and wear the full suit.
Small details that make the difference
- Shoes: black or dark brown leather shoes, polished clean. If you do not have any yet, clean, neat white sneakers are better than old, dirty leather shoes.
- Belt and socks: a leather belt in the same colour as the shoes, and black socks or socks the colour of the trousers.
- Bag: a neat leather briefcase or a plain black backpack. Avoid printed canvas bags.
- Hair and nails: neat, with clean, trimmed nails. Facial hair either shaved clean or neatly trimmed.
- Scent: no strong cologne, and no smell of cigarettes or sweat.
- In your bag: have a printed CV, a pen, a notepad and a power bank ready.
What to avoid
- T-shirts, or polo shirts with prints or large logos.
- Ripped jeans, joggers, flip-flops.
- Shirts that are wrinkled, stained at the collar or missing a button.
- A blazer that is too loose or too tight.
- Wearing rented or borrowed clothes without trying them on first, because clothes that do not fit can cost you more confidence than a simple outfit that fits well.
A tip from Mon Amie’s master tailors
When money only stretches to a few pieces, prioritise the item that is hardest to alter. A blazer’s shoulders cannot be altered, while the sleeves, trouser hems and body can be adjusted at small cost. So choose the blazer for the shoulder fit first, and only then consider the other details. When you have a steady job and want to invest in your first suit, Mon Amie’s Essential line is priced from VND 4.8 to 10 million for a full jacket and trousers, a solid starting point for a proper fit. You can see the details on the price list. If your school or club would like a session on how to dress for interviews, Mon Amie’s Dressing Etiquette workshop comes to schools, businesses and conferences.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to an internship interview if I do not have a blazer yet?
A long-sleeved white shirt, grey or navy trousers, and leather shoes or clean white sneakers are polished enough for an internship. Choose a shirt pressed flat and trousers that fit. If you can, borrow a friend’s navy blazer that fits across the shoulders for an important interview.
What should I wear to an interview so as not to look too formal?
Choose a shirt, trousers and clean shoes, and leave off the tie and blazer if the company has a young culture. The most reliable way is to look at the company’s staff photos on social media to gauge the level.
What should I wear to an interview if the weather is hot?
Choose a thin cotton shirt and lightweight trousers, and carry the blazer on your arm until you arrive. Wear a thin white undershirt underneath to absorb sweat. Arrive about ten minutes early to wipe your face and straighten your clothes before going in.
Do I need to buy a full suit for an interview?
Not required for students. Three pieces, a shirt, trousers and a blazer, are enough for most interviews. A full suit is worth investing in once you have a job or are applying to an industry that demands formality, such as banking or law. The article a men’s suit jacket for students, the first one will help you weigh it up.
Closing thoughts
A student does not need a full wardrobe to interview well, only three right pieces, fitted at the shoulder and clean. When you are ready for your first suit, you can book a fitting at Mon Amie. And if you want to choose a blazer, see how to choose a men’s blazer.