You want to present well and feel confident in your interview. Dressing appropriately for a winter job interview is essential. This guide will ensure you look professional, feel comfortable, and make a great first impression while staying warm in cold weather.

Understanding the Dress Code

Before trying to figure out what to wear for an interview this winter, research the company culture and dress code. Find out what the company you're interviewing with requires employees to wear. Is it a casual, creative type of business where a Henley and jeans is the norm, or a business that expects employees to dress in a suit and tie?

No matter the dress code, you'll want to present as a put-together and professional interviewee. Wear a clean, put-together outfit. If you'll be wearing a dress shirt, making sure it fits your body type will go a long way in helping create a polished look. If you're unsure about fit, consult our dress shirt sizing guide for helpful tips.

Layering for Warmth and Style

Layering takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out how to stay warm in cold weather. The base and insulating layers you choose will ensure your comfort and, if well-chosen, be undetectable under your outer layers.

Technical fabrics designed especially for cold weather — silk and merino wool — are proven stay-warm fabrics. They wick moisture and help maintain your body temperature.

Avoid a base layer of cotton underneath your cotton dress shirt. When cotton gets wet, it traps moisture and loses its insulating properties. And remember, several thin layers will provide more warmth than one thick layer.

The Core Outfit

Your core outfit will depend on the dress code that you've researched:

• Formal: Suit or blazer and dress pants, dress shirt, and tie.
• Business Casual: Blazer, chinos or khakis, dress or casual shirt, optional tie.
• Casual: Can range from a long sleeve t-shirt, polo, or Henley to a denim or flannel open collar shirt and jeans or relaxed slacks.

For winter interviews, avoid wearing light spring and summer colors and fabrics like tan or pastel linen and cotton. Choose a suit or blazer and dress pants in darker colors like charcoal, navy, brown, or forest green. For winter weather, a suit or blazer in a tight weave of wool, flannel, mohair, or tweed will help keep you warm. Also consider an insulated blazer or adding a vest to your suit or blazer.

The Tie

Choosing the right tie can be a true test of professionalism. White or light blue dress shirts with professional ties like regimental stripes, subtle geometrics, or paisleys are ideal for formal business attire. 

If you want to imbue a little more personality and style, consider a winter fabric appropriate for the season, like a solid or plaid wool tie. 

Outerwear Options

If you live where winter temperatures drop to freezing or below, a quality overcoat is a solid investment. Either camel hair or a dark color, such as navy blue, black, or charcoal, in a neutral style can flex between formal wear to casual. A removable insulated lining makes an overcoat even more versatile.

Topping off your ensemble with a hat adds a stylish flair and is a smart move in cold weather. The range of hat styles is vast, so do some research and match your hat style with the dress code. A baseball cap may be a great choice for casual wear, but if worn with a suit, your ensemble might not be as formal as you'd intend.

Scarves, mufflers, gloves, and socks are essential accessories in cold winter weather. Go with a professional-looking merino wool or cashmere scarf in a dark color or subtle pattern. Solid color black or brown insulated gloves and merino wool or cashmere socks will provide an important thermal layer under your footwear.

A pocket square isn't an essential for cold weather, but it's a key sartorial accessory that offers balance between your shirt, tie, and jacket. Pocket squares shouldn't match your tie, shirt, or jacket but complement them. For example, pair a burgundy paisley tie with a micro-dot burgundy pocket square, or a forest green geometric tie with a sage green pocket square.

Footwear for Winter Interviews

If you live in a cold winter climate, you may already enjoy the benefits of weather-resistant shoes. Make sure they're clean and well-polished before setting off for your interview. But also make sure the style is compatible with your interview dress code.

Lace-up oxfords, brogues, or monk-straps pair well with formal and business-casual attire. A Chelsea or chukka boot is an ideal choice for business-casual and casual winter interview attire. Seek traction soles that are especially designed for slippery sidewalks.

As mentioned before, warm socks are an essential. Unless you're interviewing with a creative business, don't try to make a statement with your socks pattern — choose a dark color in a classic style.

Accessories to Complete Your Look

In addition to a hat, scarf, gloves, and socks as mentioned above, professional accessories such as cufflinks, a tie bar, or suspenders can add style and functionality to your attire.

Subtle cufflinks that peek out from a French cuff dress shirt add panache to formal business wear. A tie bar embellishes a necktie but also keeps it in place, especially in windy weather or if you're going to be active during your interview.

Consider a briefcase or messenger bag to safely carry your interview documents, pen, and necessities for cold weather, such as a small Kleenex pack, lip balm, comb, and hand sanitizer.

Grooming and Final Touches

In preparing for your interview, your grooming is every bit as important as your clothing and accessories. Meet winter weather grooming challenges head-on by knowing what they are.

You may need to tame dry, static hair with a mousse or spray. Moisturize dry, red, flakey skin. Make an impression with clean well-cut hair and trimmed clean nails.

Even though it may be icy cold outside, be sure to wear deodorant. Transitioning between cold outside air and heated inside air can cause your body to overheat.

What to Avoid for Winter Interviews

Classic styling is always the best choice when it comes to formal and business-casual interview attire. It provides the professional look you want to express. Casual attire allows for much more styling flexibility, but do make sure you choose clothing that provides warmth.

Know what to avoid:

• Clothing that highlights sports affiliations.
• Clothing that subtly or overtly expresses political viewpoints.
• Leisure wear, athletic, or gym clothing.
• Out-of-season clothing.
• Distracting or overly bold colors or patterns.

Dressing for Success in Any Weather

The tips in this guide will help you stay warm and dress for success. Remember, before you decide on your interview attire,

• Research the business's dress code.
• Wear what the company's employees are expected to wear.
• Check the weather forecast for the date of your interview. You'll layer and accessorize differently for a sunny icy day than you will if a major winter storm is predicted for interview day.
• Choose classic attire that will serve you well over time. After all, you'll be able to wear those classic pieces once you land the job!

The Tie Bar carries the quality ties, dress shirts, suits, and accessories that will ensure you look sharp and polished for your winter interview. Explore our collection now and choose coordinating pieces that will keep you comfortable and support your successful and professional look.

EXPLORE WINTER ATTIRE