Can You Wear Jeans to a Job Interview? (35+ Experts Debate) (2023)

Confused about what to wear to your next interview? You’re not alone. Many job seekers are asking the same question.

Can you wear something casual and comfortable? Are jeans considered appropriate attire, or should you stick to something formal?

Experts weigh in with their opinions on the matter.

Kristin Heller, PHR

Leadership Coach and HR Consultant, HR Creative Consulting

Wear what is appropriate for the role

As an HR professional who has participated in countless interviews, I can say that what you wear to an interview does matter; however, it is acceptable to wear jeans in many cases.

Back in the late 2000s, I had a candidate show up for an interview with a giant pot leaf on their t-shirt. This wasnotacceptable. It is about judgment. Wear what is appropriate for the role. Professional no longer means wearing a suit.

Often I would interview someone with a nice pair of jeans, a nice button-down shirt with a jacket and those candidates looked not only professional, but they looked the part.

Related: What Does It Mean to Be Professional at Work?

In my opinion, the executive level is the only time jeans arenotacceptable interview attire in a manufacturing environment. I think the position warrants astep upin clothing.

If you are a fabulous employee, do I really care if you do your greatness in jeans?Absolutely not!

We have to move past the archaic thought process that we can only be professional if we wear a suit.In the end, our attire doesnotmake us anymoreorlesseffective at our job.

Interviewing is no different. I want thebesttechnical and cultural fit for my open position. As long as the candidate dressesappropriatelyfor the role they are interviewing, I will look past their attire and focus on the candidate and what they can bring to my open position.

I think it shows a level of intellect if a candidate canassessthe role they are interviewing and dress accordingly.

Dr. Debra Geller

Job Search Support and Higher Ed Consultant

Can you picture yourself fitting in with what you wear?

Whether you are in the job market because you were part of the great resignation or ready for new challenges, you may be preparing for interviews and asking yourself, “What should I wear?”

Like most things in life and business, the answer is—it depends. I offer the following tips to help you navigate this decision:

Know the interview format

If your interview is remote, you should plan to dressprofessionallyfrom thewaist up. You can dress comfortably from the waist down since your lower half won’t be on camera.

That may mean a suit jacket or collared shirt above and jeans or even shorts below. (Did you know that many TV news anchors dress this way?)

If your interview is in person, then it gets more complicated.Properinterview attire is determined based on the job function, the industry, and the employer’s organizational culture.

Know the job function

A general guide to acing the interview wardrobe choice is to dress the way you would on the type of workday when you will be meeting with your most important stakeholders, whether that is your client or your boss.

Know the industry

Appropriate interview and workplace attire vary not just by job function but also by industry.

If you work in an artistic field (e.g., graphic design, entertainment, fashion, music), you will be able to take more fashion risks that let you stand out, such as wearingbrightercolors andtrendierstyles.

In a conservative field, you may be expected to wear moreneutralcolors andclassicstyles that blend in.

Related: What Are the Best and Worst Colors to Wear to a Job Interview?

Know the employer’s organizational culture

Within industries, there will also be a variety. Each employer has its own culture.

Take note of how your interviewers are dressed

Take note of how your interviewers are dressed. If you get invited back for a second-round interview, you may stick with the style you used in the first round (after all, it worked!) or dress the way they did.

If you were in a suit for the first interview, but they were wearing business casual, for example, you may opt for something less formal.

At the interview,your goal is to be seen as someone who is qualified to do the job and who would fit in.You want the interviewer to focus on your answers instead of your appearance. Once you have the job, you may be able to relax your attire and show your personality.

Nevin Hart

HR Consultant | Learning and Development Manager, CIPHR

Do wear jeans if that is how you feel most comfortable

When I first thought about this, everything in me screamed: “No, of course not—you can’t wear jeans to a job interview!”

However, as I began to reflect more on this, I realized that my immediate and rather adamant response was perhaps clouded by my own professional background.

My career to date has always been in morecustomer-facingroles, meaning, every day, I would wear a suit to work.

For me, that was always theexpectation. And, if your suit was creased, or your shirt wasn’t ironed, or it was untucked, it was viewed that you were projecting the wrong image—that youweren’tprofessional or equipped to do the job correctly.

That’s the way I’d been conditioned to think—not just by some previous employers and managers but, in many ways, society at large.

The pandemic has certainlyshiftedsome of those expectations. Since 2020, we’ve had toadaptto new ways of working, and, in my HR role, I have hired many new colleaguesremotelywithout meeting them in person.

Were they wearing jeans?I have no idea! And it madenodifference to my hiring decision whether they were, in fact, wearing jeans or not.

What I look for in a candidate is based on theirattitudeandbehaviorand, depending on the role they are interviewing for, theirexperienceandskills.That said, skills can always be taught, and experience can be gained in time with the right opportunities.

So, to summarize: Yes, please do wear jeans if that is how you feel most comfortable.

In my view, the fact that youmayormay notchoose to wear jeans at a job interview bearsnoimpact on your ability to do the job that you are interviewing for.

I will always encourage a working environment where my team can bring their true authentic self to work.

Brian Vander Waal

Employment, Learning and Skills and Careers Information Expert

If the industry, company culture, and role strongly support wearing jeans

What you wear at the interview should be appropriate to the dress code within the industry.

Consider the industry of the job you are applying for

Although there are manyexceptions with more companies allowing business casual dress, what you wear to an interview mustmatchthe expected industry dress code.

While Goldman Sachs announced male employees no longer need to wear tailored suits, I wouldnotrecommend wearing jeans to an interview with Goldman Sachs if you want tosecurethe role.

If you wear jeans, they should be black jeans with a regular fit.In other words,nottoo tight and not too baggy. Also, theyshould nothave any holes, rips, or stains.

Consider the company culture of the company you are applying to

You do not want to arrive at the interview in a suit if your interviewers are wearing jeans. However, you do not want to beunderdressedeither.

Find out what their dress code is. You can research this on their company website or by looking at photos on their social media sites. If you know someone who works for the company, such as a friend, family member, or associate, you could ask them.

If you cannot find the answer from the above sources, you could consider going to the company a couple of daysbeforeyour interview and observing what people wear to work from the company car park or nearby.

However, even if the company dress code allows wearing jeans, you may want to consider wearingbusiness casual.

Consider the role you are applying for

If you are applying for amanagementrole in any industry, you should not wear jeans to an interview. Equally, if you are applying for anentry-levelposition, you should usually not wear jeans as you want to portray yourenthusiasmfor the role, seriousness, and professionalism.

When you are trying to secure your first role in a company, the first impression you set will be critical.

Consider what else you are wearing

If the industry, company culture, and rolestronglysupport wearing jeans to an interview, then you could consider it. However, I would recommend wearing adressy toporblazeranddressy shoesin this case.

Do not wear a t-shirt, sandals or sneakers.

Consider how it will make you feel

When you look good, you feel good.You are more likely to perform well in an interview when you feel good.

However, if you believe you will fit inbetterand bemore confidentby wearing jeans, then wearingblackjeans may be the suitable choice.

Remember, most interviewers will make a decision regarding you and yoursuitabilityfor the company in the first 30 seconds,so first impressions count!The above tips should guide you in ensuring you set the right first impression.

Ken Coleman

Career Coach, Ramsey Solutions | Author, “From Paycheck to Purpose“

Yes, if the company has a casual or trendy environment

We all know the saying “it’swhat’s on the inside that counts,”but in the case of choosing what to wear to a job interview, your choice of dressabsolutelymatters.

Many factors are out of your control during the hiring process, but what you wear to the interview is one thing youcancontrol.

First things first:Do your research.

Look to find out the company’s dress code. You can check out the company’s website or even social media accounts to get a hint. If you’re not sure, just ask.

If the company you’re interviewing with is a casual or trendy environment, keep in mind that casualdoesn’tmean sloppy. Pairing a sharp shirt or blouse with a nice pair of jeans and athletic shoes can still look great.

Just as you would spend time reviewing interview questions, make sure you allow some time toprepyour outfit, too! Plan what you’ll wear the night before and try it on to make sure you feel confident in it.

Kris Tonas

CEO, Preeminent Recruitment

My emphatic answer—Yes, but with a few exceptions

First and foremost, times area-changing.

Remote work, lockdowns, and influencers have created new societal norms. Do you remember when it was strange to see someone in sweatpants or (could you even imagine) PJs at the grocery store? Well, those days are gone, aren’t they?

Take a look around next time you enter a major grocer, you’ll find that sweatpants are the new jeans.Jeans are the new suit pants.

Now calling jeans suit pants may be a bit dramatic, but what’s even more surprising is showing up to your next interview in a full suit when the everyday attire would be jeans and a polo.

I worked in a sales environment for five years; over those five years, I saw the attire go from dresses and shirts and ties to jeans and t-shirts by the time I left.

Imagine showing up for an interview at this company, where the occasional Led Zeppelin T-Shirt made its way through the office in a suit.

When interviewing,conformity can be a superpower; ever heard of the “mere-exposure”effect or “mirroring?” This is a phenomenon where people like us because we seem familiar to them.

Jeans are commonly accepted in white and blue-collar America; therefore, in most instances, when picking out your clothes, go for those jeans.

Are there exceptions? Yes, of course—going for a banking job. Try a suit or something formal. Just remember to assimilate to what you would wear on the job.

Scott MacDonell

CMO and Head of Public Relations,Bambee

Jeans are never proper attire for a job interview

Your appearance is often the first thing a hiring manager notices when meeting you for a job interview, so the sensible thing to do is dress appropriately.

Jeans areneverproper attire for a job interview—an exception might be alabor-intensivejob that may result in being hired on the spot and being told to get to work. Otherwise,take pride in your appearance.

Some hiring managers paycloseattention to detail, looking for ways in which the candidate is going theextramile to make asolidfirst impression.

If you come into a job interviewunderdressed, there’s a chance you’ll be written off early as a serious candidate.

There is nothing worse than beingcalled outfor your appearance by a judge. If it gets back to us that an attorney or other employee did not dress appropriately for a courtroom appearance, that employee will be swiftly reprimanded.

You represent more than just yourself when you’re working for our company. Your wardrobe needs to reflect that. In fact, remove anythingdenimin it from the section of your closet containing work clothes. Save it for thecasualparts of your life.

In short, don’t make a bad first impression. Don’t wear jeans during a job interview or anywhere else when you’re on the job unless your boss says it’s okay.

Daniel Cook

Human ResourcesDirector, Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

Jeans usually leave a negative impact on the interviewer

I believe that wearing jeans to a job interview usually leaves anegativeimpacton the interviewer.

When appearing for a professional interview, it is crucial that you lookneatandformalso the interviewers are aware of the effort you put in for it. Moreover, jeans are consideredcasualaround the world by many companies.

When you appear for an interview, you want to leave a long-lastingpositiveimpression on the interviewer since you are not an employee yet.

Moreover, if you have applied for a position in the corporate sector where dress codes are still implemented, it would be more appropriate tofollow themandimpressthe interviewer.

As an interviewer,I would like to add that the way candidates present themselves is very crucial.

In businesses where employers often have to meetexternal clients, it is essential to hire someone who looksprofessionaland behavessimilarly.

Jennifer Hartman

Staff Writer | HR Specialist,Fit Small Business

Whether you’re wearing a suit and tie or jeans, make sure you maintain a well-groomed appearance

Whether it is appropriate or not to wear jeans to a job interview has been long debated.

Typically, you want to dress professionally (suit/tie, dress, or business casual). This tells the interviewer that you areseriousabout the job andprofessionallypresent yourself.

Additionally, any job where you would be working in anofficeenvironment would warrant a more professional attire.

However, if you are applying for a position where jeans might be considered work attire, such as arestaurantorretail shop, thennew-looking, properlyfittingjeans may be appropriate.

Whether you are wearing a suit and tie or jeans to an interview, you always want to be dressed professionally and maintain awell-groomedappearance.

Sai Blackbyrn

CEO, CoachFoundation

If you wear jeans to a job interview, think about your opportunity cost

Yes, you can wear jeans to a job interview. No, you shouldnotdo it.

To be fair, you can wear whatever you want, but a job interviewisn’ta walk to the grocery store, an evening run, or a visit to the park.

An interview is a stage you need to perform well to get the job.So from the moment you walk into the office, you must look, behave and talk your best.

Related: How to Nail a Job Interview

Let’s look at it this way: If you choose to wear jeans to a job interview, what is youropportunity cost(basically what you missed out on by wearing jeans?)? Had you been dressed formally in awell-fittedsuit, you’d have been able to tick the following boxes:

1. You are putting your best foot forward.It could either mean that you always dress well or understand what’s an appropriate outfit for the occasion.
2. You’re also grateful for the opportunity, which would explain why you didn’t just show up in a pair of jeans and went ahead and wore formals.

This might sound far-fetched but hear me out, okay? Sitting across from you during the interview, the interviewer has their own thoughts about how agood fityou’d be for the company.

If you’re out there, wearing formals and carrying a serious/professional demeanor,it is way easier for the interviewer to visualize you as a future employee.That’s because you look like someone that’d fit in the company, like someone they picture when they think of a potential employee.

Wearing jeans would in no way undermine your talents and skills, but it would also not help you look like the perfect applicant they’re hoping to hire.

Steve Anderson

CEO and HR Manager, JunkYardNearMe

Yes, you can, but there is a catch

It is fitting to wear jeans if you have an interview for a specialized position and won’t include business confrontations. But, the catch here is to lookdecentrather than portraying yourself as unapologetic.

The quick answer isyes, but it depends on the position you are applying for. If you plan to work in a law firm, the answer is negative for sure.

To this date, there are no such rules that state the appropriateness of wearing jeans to the interview, which makes this scene look more confusing, especially to the new job aspirants.

In some cases where there are no business confrontations, it is okay to wear jeans. Nobody will make remarks about you for wearing jeans to the site of the interview, but your dress code is one of theprimaryfactors that the interviewers look for.

So, with or without you knowing this, the way you dress creates the first impression on the interviewer. So, try to lookauthenticandformalrather than showing your unapologetic side because not every place is the appropriate one to show it.

Regardless of the organization, it’s better to avoid jeans with cuts or an overly gaudy outlook. What we wear has adeepimpact on your overall first impression.

Doing this would let the interviewers think that you would not abide by the company’s rules and try to overcome them at any time, which is ared flagat first sight.

Even if you do the interview very well, something might annoy the interviewers about you, and they will eventually decide to lower your rankings.

If you want to stand out and look decent and disciplined, it is advisable to wear normal jeans, portraying a formal look. Jeans with dull and dark shades with an overcoat, paired with a light-colored shirt, are a good combination for a perfect look for a job interview.

Emily Bennett

HR Manager, Office Topics

Do your research well to determine if jeans would be appropriate

You can wear jeans to a job interview, but there are a few things you should remember when you go in for the interview.

First, the company interviewing you has its own culture, so you don’t want to be perceived as anoutsiderif you’re wearing jeans.

A good way to navigateacceptableandinappropriateattire at your job interview is to research the company’s culture and make sure you’re not coming off as an outsider.

Check out the people who work there to determine what kind of clothing they’re wearing. If your research concludes that jeans would be acceptable, make sure that your jeans are dark with no holes or beads.

Remember, not every interview is ascut-and-dryas you might think. If you’re applying for a position in a business-casual environment, you can still wear jeans.

Moreover, you don’t want to overdress—you need to look professional. In addition, you should weargood-qualityclothing and shoes.

Christa Reed

Head of Job Market Research,JobSearcher

If you wear jeans, make sure you convey professionalism

There are many factors to consider when deciding what to wear to a job interview, but the most important thing is toensurethat your clothing conveysprofessionalism.

If you’re unsure about what to wear, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and dress more formally. After all, you only haveonechance to make agoodfirst impression.

James Lloyd-Townshend

Chairman and CEO, Frank Recruitment Group

Opt for something smarter and more professional

Office standards around the globe haverelaxedsignificantly over the past two years, as some organizationsdroppedtheir business attire dress codes.

But you’ll want to consider thetypeof role you’re applying for before you reach for your jeans.

For technicalnon-customer-facingroles, jeans could be totally acceptable. However, if your duties will include a lot of contact with importantclientsandpartners, your interview is a chance to give aflavorof how you’ll appear to the business’s important contacts—and jeans might appeartoo informal.

Christina Russo

Creative, HR, and Content Director, The Kitchen Community

No more “suit and tie” guy

Conventional wisdom always upheld the idea that you had to dress to impress for a job opportunity and interview. My first HR mentor always maintained that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you expect to get, and to a large degree, that used to be true.

But the world has changed, and the way a person dresses matterslessthan their ability to actually do a job in the wake of the pandemic.

And as the vast majority of job interviews are still being conducted via Zoom or Google Meet, the chances that an interviewer will actually be able to see if you’re wearing jeans or not areslimtoremote.

That brings me to my next point.The days of the suit and tie guy employee model are done and dusted.

Businesses are starting to adopt a much moreflexibleapproach to workplace dress codes and don’t care what their employees wear (within reason) as long as they can do the job they were hired to do.

And if an employee works fromhomeorremotely, then the way they dress is ofnoimportance to, and can’t be regulated by, the business they work for.

Pauline Delaney

Career Coach, CV Genius

You have nothing to lose if you go in wearing business attire

When you go to a job interview, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

The minute a recruiting manager sees you, they look up and down to determine whether you’re the right fit.

They might believe you have a very casual attitude if you’re wearing jeans, which might not make you an ideal candidate.

Granted, some jobs don’t find itunsuitablefor candidates to wear jeans. Still, it’s better to err on the side of caution—you have nothing to lose if you go in wearing business attire.

Thalita Ferraz

Content Creator and Fashion Influencer | Owner, Her Bones

Dress for the job you expect

When it comes to wearing jeans to a job interview, the answer depends on thetypeof job you are applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a business job, you don’t want to wear jeans, and these are often considered very casual clothes, and these jobs would expect you to wear business casual most days.

However, on the flip side of this, if you’re applying for a more casual job, such as bar work or in certain retail stores, then jeans and a smart top would be acceptable.

Some jobs are not as formal as others, and you will need todifferentiatethe type of job you are applying for and the overall dress code for the role.

Be smart about it

You still need to remember that you’re trying to give your interviewer the best possible introduction to yourself. So if you’re dead set on wearing jeans,at least make sure that they are the nicest, more presentable pair of jeans you have.

The attitudes and opinions about jeans havechangeda lot in recent years, and most people probably won’t mind a well-fitting pair of black jeans.

However, if you turn up in baggy or ripped jeans, you don’t look as though you’ve put any effort into looking professional, and the people interviewing you will be a lotlessforgiving.

The right pair of jeans can still look professional and smart, but don’t push your luck.

Consider whether it’s worth the risk

At the end of the day, you’re going there to convince the interviewers that you’rerightfor the job; and for a lot of people in management, they decide whether you’re going to be suitable for the role within the first couple of seconds after you walk in the room.

For some people, jeanswon’thinder their impression of you, but for some people, it will, so you need to consider whether it’s worth the risk.

Annabel Gatto

Co-Founder and CEO, Suitably

Do not wear jeans unless the company explicitly states jeans are expected

It would be easy to dress for an interview if there was just one standardized interview dress code. Every company has its own dress code; however, this dress code israrelyexplicitly stated.

From “business casual” to “business formal” to the always confusing “smart casual,” it can be challenging to decide what to wear.

As a general rule of thumb, my advice is not to wear jeans (light or dark) to an interview; unless a company hasexplicitlystated that wearing jeans is expected.

There may be certain companies in specific geographic regions where it is widely known that jeans are the norm.

Interviews are aproxyfor how much research you have done into a company and your own judgment. Dressing up shows that you take the job seriously and care.

Jeans can be controversial.By dressing in jeans, it’s easy to come across as if youdon’t careor aretoo laid-back(depending on how your interviewer feels about jeans).

Even if the company seemsinformal(for example, a tech startup where most employees are in jeans and a t-shirt), it’s better to err on caution and stick to amore polishedinterview dress code that does not include jeans.

Brian McEuen

Founder, On Brand

Like most things, it depends

On what then? Well, thejobandcompanyyou’re interviewing for, of course!

When dressing for an interview, you need to make sure you’re dressing the part. Different companies and industries have differentdress codesand expectations on how employees should dress.

For guys, it’snotas simple as wearing a suit no matter what job or company you’re interviewing for.

For example, if you were interviewing for aninternal-facingrole at a tech or software company, you would look overdressed, silly, and potentially not understand the company’s kind of culture.

In this instance, a pair of dark jeans (no holes or destruction and minimal processing) with a button-up shirt or sweater would be perfect.

If you are interviewing for a position that facesexternalparties (think sales, business development, etc.), you should, of course, dress up more.

This will prove to the interviewee that you know how to present yourself so that clients will take you seriously.Skipthe jeans here and opt for a pair of wool trousers or, better yet, a suit.

Generally speaking, jobs in finance or banking also require dressing up. While suited dress codes are becoming a thing of the past in this world, it would be best to skip jeans and opt for dark chinos or trousers.

When preparing for your interview, take time to look at the company’s photos on its career website. You should try tomirror, if not minorly exceed, the kind of dress codes you see in the photos.

Ai Hiura

CMO and Chief Editor, FAVERIE

It’s better to go overdressed than underdressed

How you dress affects what others think about you. This is critical when attending a job interview. You only haveonechance to give a great first impression.

Whether it’s acceptable to wear jeans to a job interview or not is open to debate. However, many are the ones who claim that it’s better to wear somethingmoreupgraded.

Before making a decision, you should check the company’s dress code. If they are laid-back and casual, you might be safe wearing a pair of good-qualitydark-coloredjeans paired with something more formal.

Still, if you get an interview at a company with a formal dress code, you would better avoid wearing jeans.

Regardless of what you decide, make sure you don’t dresstoo casually.

It’snotadvisable to confuse business casual with casual wear. This way, they would focus on your experience, not on what you’re wearing. Your goal is to get the job, so you should do your best to dress to impress.

More often than not, even if jeans are appropriate for work, they mightnotenjoy that you show up in jeans the day of the interview. When it comes to interviewing attire, it’s better to go overdressed than underdressed.

Consequently, a safer bet would be to weardress pantsor aknee-length skirtand a dress shirt or a blouse.Blazers are more than welcome, and dress shoes are a must-have.Make sure all your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free.

Jodie Filogomo

Retired Cosmetic Dentist | Fashion Blogger,Jodie’s Touch of Style

It depends on the company’s vibe and your personality

If you had asked me if you could wear jeans to a job interview when I was younger, I would say absolutelynot. And I’m sure many older people would still take that stance.

What to consider

For any job interview, one of the essential details to check before meeting anyone is toresearchthe company and find outhowthey operate. Part of this research should include the company’s culture and who is working there.

With the rise of a morecasualworkplace, you want to show that you can fit into their environment, so if other employees are casual, then you should be too.

The details

When you are putting together the outfit to wear for your job interview, you want it to reflect not only the company’s culture but also your uniqueness.

This doesn’t mean you should looksloppyor go toextremes. But the extras you add to your look can convey the details about yourself.

Another advantage of adding in thoseuniquedetails is aboutstanding outamong the crowd of interviewees. You want to be remembered for your outstanding interview, and since we arevisualanimals, ourexterior lookis part of that.

My recommendation

If the company is run byyoungerpeople and is a casual work atmosphere, then wearing a pair of non-distressed jeans could be perfect.

In some places, it would be appropriate to include ablazer, so you are saying,“I am serious about working, but I can be casual too.”

Erica Ball

Personal Stylist and Fashion Blogger

Jeans are not recommended even if the company’s culture is business casual

In general, I do not recommend wearing jeans to a job interview, even if the company’s culture is business casual.

A job interview is one of the most important first impressions you will make. What you wear for your interview will be one of the factors that willdeterminehow your potential future employer perceives you.

I recommend dressing for the job you want. In my opinion, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed in most situations. Elevating what you wear to your interview will help you look like someone alreadysuccessfulandreadyfor the job position.

Take time to do your research on the company’s culture. How you present yourself will greatly impact your chances of landing the job.

AJ Silberman-Moffitt

Senior Editor,Tandem

Jeans are acceptable to be worn to a job interview but not always

As a member of Generation X that has been in the workforce for 25+ years, I have seen business rules come and go.

For example, it was commonplace to put two spaces after a period in the past. In today’s day and age, we only use one. We also used to indent each new paragraph. Now, we justify to the left.

Thesechangesin how we write correspondence and documents aren’t the only business rules that have taken place. Appropriate work attire is another business rule that has changed.

When I entered the business world (in the 1990s), business attire consisted of long-sleeved shirts for men and dresses or skirts and blouses for women. Irarelyheard of an office that would accept jeans or sneakers as appropriate attire.

When it came to job interviews, the only acceptable clothing for a man to wear was a suit. For a woman, it was either a suit or a dress. This dress code seemedcommonplacefor many years.

As time has gone on, as often happens, rules bend, mold, and sometimes even break. What we once would consider unacceptable becomes thesocial norm, which is definitely true in the business world.

Inside offices, you will often see suits and dresses have been replaced with jeans and yoga pants.

What does this mean for job interviews? Should jeans be considered appropriate attire?

Andrew Gant said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” When you go to a job interview, making an impression is what you do.

Does this mean that youcan’twear jeans?Not always.

When you are about to be interviewed, you need to find out about the company and the company culture. Before the interview, ask what the office attire is. If you are told it is business casual, jeans would probably be acceptable, but with caution.

Remember what was said about first impressions?Jeans should not be ripped, torn, or look unkempt.If your jeans arewell-fittedand paired with anappropriatetop, then they could beproperinterview wear.

So, yes, jeans are acceptable to be worn to a job interview…sometimes.

Carol Gee

Author, “Telling Stories, Sharing Confidences“

Err on the right side and wear dressierslacks

Maybe it’s just me, but I would never wear jeans for an interview.

Granted, things are morerelaxedtoday than when I was in the working world (I served 20 years in AF and nearly 30 years in education at the college/university level).

There are jobs where jeans might be appropriate, but even then, I would err on the right side and weardressier slacksfor men and women, a dress, skirt, etc., for women.

You wouldn’t want your potential employer to think they had to instruct you on the appropriate job before you are even hired. Once I had accepted the position, I would notice what attire was proper and dress accordingly.

Once while working as a department store manager, I interviewed a young woman who came dressed in slacks, pink socks, and little Mary Jane shoes.

As my store had a fairlystrictdress code, I mentioned her outfit. She said she had worn this in her former retail job.

I explained that some stores weren’t as strict, and in the future, she might wish to dress more appropriately, at least for an interview, until she learned the dress code. She replied no one had ever told her that before.

Another time a grad student who worked in my office was invited to meet with a local health department and wondered whether to wear what she usually wore to class.

I suggested she wear something a littlemoreprofessional. During her visit, they offered her her first post-graduate job. Returning to the office, she thanked me for my advice.

Jackie Condura

Personal Stylist and Fashion Blogger, Stylings By Jackie

As one might think, the answerisn’ta clear yes or no

Hugo Guerreiro

Founder, The Men Hero

Wear jeans in an interview for a company with arelaxeddress code

When you walk to a job interview, you only have a few seconds to make anexcellentfirst impression since the first thing your interviewer will perceive is youroutfit.

If it’s amanagementposition, you want toavoidjeans and wear a suit to show your interviewer that you take the roleseriouslyandcareenough to dress up. I expected this from any management candidate when I was a store manager in a sports retail store.

Now, if you are applying for anon-managementposition in retail, a non-luxury brand, or a more informal vibe, you can wear jeans for an interview. Iwasn’texpecting a student applying for a part-time job to appear in a suit.

It’s still essential to wear jeans inneutralcolors like black, grey, or blue.When in doubt, always opt forblackjeans because everyone associates that color with a more professional environment.

In the end, you should wear jeans in an interview for a company with arelaxeddress code where you don’t appear too formal. Just avoid those ripped jeans in your closet.

Paul Marlow

Tall Men’s Fashion Expert, Tall Paul

A well-cut pair of dark jeans will not hurt your chances of getting hired

Will jeans hurt your chances of getting the job of your dreams? Fellas, I am going to be blunt with you.

No, a well-cut pair of dark jeans willnothurt your chances of getting hired at your dream job.

Yes, a loose-fitting pair of jeans your bought ten years ago with frays on the edges willdropyour chances of getting hired by 70%.

In 2022 the way we connect work and work attire haschanged; how many have you worn sweatpants to your weekly zoom chats in the past two years?That means we can get away with wearing different styles than our fathers did in their youth.

But there is a difference between dressing up anice pairof jeans and wearing themconfidentlywhen meeting your potential new boss and strolling into the meeting looking like you just got off the couch after a full day of football Sunday.

Five rules for wearing jeans to a job interview

1. They must be a dark blue or black
2. The cut must be close to your legs (no saggy jeans)
3. No holes or distressed look to them
4. The cuff of your pant leg should not go over the top of your shoe
5. Your belt should be black and not worn out

Sylvia Fountaine

CEO and Founder, Feasting at Home

Considering jeans as a sign of laziness or disrespect has no place in 2022

As a former restaurant owner, I have interviewed and hired a really eclectic group of individuals—jeans or no jeans!

I think that considering jeans specifically a “red flag” or a sign oflazinessordisrespecthas no place in 2022.

It reminds me of the debate about whether or not a woman needs to wear makeup to be considered “professional.” It justisn’trelevant to whether or not a candidate is good for the job.

If someone shows up incleanclothing and conducts themselves in a way that is sympaticowith my workplace, then that is way more important than the clothing itself.

Besides, you can get nice, classic jeans that look way more professional than an ill-fitting suit.

Adelle Archer

Co-Founder and CEO, Eterneva

Ensure you showrespectwhen not certain

Some positions may infer that casual dress is acceptable at the interview, as that would be the attire for those duties.

However, this falls under the category that just because you could, does not mean you should, and why I wouldnotrecommend wearing jeans.

Part of what interviewers want to see is an ability toadjustand aneffortto err on the side of caution to ensure you showrespectwhen not certain.

Noneof these qualities is something that should be put on display, making it a good idea to leave the Levis in a drawer and opt for somethingmore appropriatefor that moment.

Alan Ahdoot

Legal Specialist, Adamson Ahdoot LLP

Jeans are a no-no for us

A persistent reality in life is thatappearances do matter.

That is especially the case when you’re making a first impression on a potential employer. The thought of anyone entering our building for a job interview wearing blue jeans ishorrifying.

We’re a law firm, so we’re meeting clients every day. We’re inside courtrooms every day. We’re members of the California Bar. We have astandardto live up to, and our dress codeshouldreflect that.

It is remarkable how some job sectors have endured a difficult pandemic by transitioning to a moreremote-heavyworkforce.

If you work from home, it reallydoesn’tmatter how you dress, especially the parts of you that are out of range of your laptop camera during a Zoom meeting. That level of casualness doesn’t translate to an office setting.

Related: Benefits of Working From Home for Employees

The bottom line is that we don’t allow jeans to be worn. We discourage our clients from wearing jeans whenever they make courtroom appearances or appear for depositions.

We can’t ask our clients to dress up while not adhering to the same wardrobe standards ourselves. Jeans are ano-nofor us.

Kimberly Silva

CEO, FindPeopleFirst

Attempt to appear professional

Appropriateness of the dressingsolelydepends on the employer and company culture. Thekeyfactor is that you don’t want to create a distraction through your clothes unless the company isfashion-related.

From the company’s standpoint, we’re just seeking someone who canperformthe job and workwellin a team environment.

Simply put, all you need to do is attempt to appear professional. That is all. Everything else is largelyneedless. Dressing flawlessly will not assist you all that much. On the other hand, dressing badly might just bedisadvantageous.

We only notice what you’re wearing if it’s reallydistracting. Unless an employerexplicitlystates thatinformalinterview attire is permitted, most employers will look down on jeans, especially dark ones.

Employersdon’tallow jeans in the workplace because they mayoffendordistractothers. Others may have a dress code that doesnotallow jeans.

Some employers have along-standingtradition of not allowing jeans as a matter of tradition. Others still may have a policy that says that peoplecannotwear jeans to an interview.

Tip: For any reason, if you find yourself wearing informal dressing, try,“I sincerely apologize if this seems unprofessional, but this interview was scheduled at the last minute, and I’d rather appear casual than not show up.“

Chaye McIntosh, MS, LCADC

Clinical Director,ChoicePoint

Jeans are not interview-appropriate attire

Whenever our office decides to hold interviews, we know that we have to dress ourbest, so they get agoodimpression of the company they are about to join whenever they come to give an interview.

The same is the case with a person coming in for the interview. The saying“dress to impress”and“first impression is the last impression”could not be more true during interview calls.

Whenever an interviewee enters and is wearing jeans, we instantly think of them as someone who isnotgoing to take their tasks seriously. That said, somehow, jeans are not interview-appropriate attire, not because people wear them casually, but because social norms should berespected.

Jeans will always be a piece of clothing worn on casual occasions.

Richard James

Private Investigator and Surveillance Expert, Rivica Investigations

Jeans are always a safe choice

Of course, you can wear jeans for a job interview! I always encourage my clients to dress to make them feelcomfortable. However, it’s essential to bemindfulof the company’s culture and dress code. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate, it’s best to ask ahead of time.

Some companies are more formal than others, and you may want to dress up a bit more for an interview with them. But, in general, jeans are always a safe choice.

Just make sure they’reneatandclean—no holes or tears. You also want toavoidany overly baggy or tight styles.

It’s important to feel confident and comfortable in what you wear. So, if jeans are yourgo-tooutfit for job interviews, go for it!

James Diel

CEO and Founder,Textel

Jeans won’t do you any favors in the interview room

Jeans may be acceptable for certain job interviews, but as an experienced interviewer, I can tell you that jeans won’t do you any favors in the interview room.

The clothes you wear to the interview are all about respect—you’re dressing to show the interviewer that you care to make a good impression with your best foot forward.

Some hiring managers might be okay with jeans in the interview, but is that ariskto take that’s worth losing out on the job?

Don’t worry about overdressing.As a rule of thumb, most candidates should dressone level higherthan they think the role requires because you can never be overdressed for an interview.

If you’re a young graduate, you’ll want toleavethe jeans at home. You look young, so professional dressing can significantly impact how the interviewer perceives you.

Make them take youseriouslywith a killer suit or professional outfit that shows you understand that much like possession, perception is also nine-tenths of the law.

Jared Stern

Founder and CEO, Uplift Legal Funding

Yes, you can sport it for the right reasons

Gone are those days when your attire was as important as your profile.

Any job must hire you for yourtechnicalskills. What you wear shouldn’t decide if you get the job or not. What you wear is arepresentationof your personality.

Moreover, wearing jeansdoesn’tmake you look unprofessional. It is perfectly fine to sport one as long as you are comfortable with it. It is crucial to bring your whole self to work. Sport it for therightreasons.

Further, if a company explicitly doesn’t allow you to sport jeans, it might be best to avoid it.

Furthermore, jeans are becoming increasinglypopularthese days. It is an attire thatallgenders prefer. There are work jeggings—a combination of leggings and jeans. This helps achieve a professional look while offering increased comfort.

Choose these options that will help you staytrueto your personality without overstepping professional conduct and code.

Christopher Lynch

Founder, Empire Of Real Estate

Yes, of course. But should you? No.

As a real estate agent, I have woken up unemployed for the past seven years. Each new potential client is a job interview. When working on commission only, it is vital to show up to that interview and make a great impression.

Making the wrong first impression in such a competitive industry can lead to a loss of thousands of dollars.

My rule of thumb is to dress to impress.It is crucial tostand outamongst the crowd, and awell-tailoredsuit can give you the unfair advantage you need in a competitive job environment.

It also shows effort, care, and respect to your potential employer, which can go a long way.

So can you? Yes, of course. But should you? No. Why set yourself up for an uphill battle? Stack the cards in your favor and take advantage of the variables you can control.

Jeff Mains

CEO,Champion Leadership Group LLC

Yes, but consider the company’s degree of sophistication

Jeans areacceptablefor interviewing purposes; there’s no question about that.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that if you wear jeans to an interview, you must also consider the company’s degree ofsophistication.

In most cases, wearing a pair of jeans to an interview isnota huge deal, but how your interviewerperceivesyou in an interview is another matter. If theynoticeyour jeans and say anything to you regarding jeans, there is alargepercentage of you will not be able to pass an interview.

Becauseyour first impression is your last impression, it’s best toavoidwearing jeans to a job interview. Dressformallyand treat every opportunity as your final chance to seize it.

Niall John Lynchehaun

Managing Director, Midland Stone

If you wear jeans, I won’t take it against you, but if you dress up, it will work in your favor

I honestly don’t care whether you wear jeans to work if you are not working in acustomer-facingrole (for most of us here, every day is casual Friday).

But, do I mind if you wear jeans to a job interview?Yesandno.

I know thatflexibilityis the name of the game these days, and many companies want to come off as beingcoolto attract new employees, but if you dress to impress, it tells me that you care very much about getting hired.

Let me put it this way:If you wear jeans, I won’t take it against you, but if you dress up, it will work in your favor.

And you can’t really tell if the hiring manager iseasy-goingornotbefore you meet them. If I were looking for a job in today’s culture, I wouldplay it safeanddress up.

This especially goes if I were to apply for an entry-level job where there are no “special skills” required. You want to do everything you can to stand out.

Lana Tsandekova

Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer, Nanabag

Yes, but follow a code

Yes, jeans can be worn for job interviews, but there is a “code to follow”:

1. No skinny jeans: Instead, opt for astraight legor abootcut(a classic Levis 501 or 714 are a great option); pair it with a blazer with a masculine cut and a neutral t-shirt, and you’ll look professional plus stylish.
2. No low-rise: 90′ are long gone, and we are thankful for that. Low waistneverhelps an outfit look put together—this denim model tends to cut the waist, and unless you are super skinny, skin will show and pop out, which is obviouslynotvery professional.
3. No applications: Jeans with an application can be worn only by children. Theydon’tdeliver a message of a serious person, and it’stoughto style them in a way that will make you look professional.
4. No cuts: It’s a very loved style of denim, but it’s considered casual. This category also includes jeans with a frayed bottom. They are very cool for a night out but definitelynotsuitable for a job interview. A.P.C. denims or Arket (straight model) offer great quality plus great prices, and most of their models are ideal for a work environment.

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