Latest reports have revealed the UK job market is showing signs of stalling as the number of people out of work has risen. According to the BBC, the unemployment rate increased to 4.2% between December and February.
This is the highest level for six months, showing the job market is more competitive than ever before. With this in mind, men’s fashion experts at Blake Mill have teamed up with colour specialist and stylist Kate Jones on the best colour to wear for an interview and how it can impact your outcome.
She warns that although wearing a smart white shirt may seem like an obvious choice, it may not be best for everyone. Below are ten common colours that can make or break your job interview.
White
With over 143k average monthly searches for ‘white shirt’ across the globe, it comes as no surprise that it might be your go-to for an interview. However Stylist Kate Jones states otherwise.
She said: “The myth that a crisp white shirt looks smart and suits everyone is exactly that – a myth. If you don’t have a cool undertone it can look very severe and rather like a school shirt or as if you are wearing a uniform, so my advice is to avoid a white shirt for an interview.
“If you want a pale shirt aim for off-white or even cream which is better on more skin tones, allowing you to come across as more approachable.”
Black
Kate Jones says: “A black shirt isn’t suitable for an interview, a black suit maybe but not a shirt. It’s a fabulous colour on the right skin tones for evening wear or for a daytime look in certain industries and even all black can help the wearer look devilishly handsome if it suits him.
“However black is a very tricky colour to pull off and can often make the wearer look washed out, drained or even sinister, so be wary.”
Pink
Kate Jones explained: “A pale pink shirt is another perfectly acceptable colour for a more formal job interview. Be careful though as it’s a very ‘cold’ colour on some skin tones and may encourage your skin to look pink and blotchy, therefore not a good look if you get high colour sometimes when under stress.
“If you have a warm skin tone then aim for a slightly more peachy shirt, again pale in colour though. Whether pale pink or pale peach both will look smart and elegant with a navy suit or suit jacket.”
Blue
Stylist Kate Jones added: “A pale or mid-blue shirt is a typical and reliable colour for work and acceptable in lots of industries, it suits a huge amount of different skin tones and represents a smart and put-together look. A navy shirt will also suit everyone. However, it is seen as slightly more casual in some industries so just ensure you know who you are meeting first.”
Green
Jones explained: “There are so many tones of green from army greens to bright emerald or pale ice green, that if you are keen to wear a green shirt to an interview make sure you know about the dress code of the company you are going to meet.
“A pale green shirt is more formal whereas a bright one is more ‘fun’ or flamboyant and an army green shirt looks more casual. So it’s key to know your audience. If you want to be safe then my advice is to avoid green for an interview.”
Red
Although you wouldn’t expect it to be, the colour red is the third most searched-for colour. With over 34k global average monthly searches, it is a popular choice.
Jones says: “Although red is a fabulous colour for everyone, it’s not suitable for a job interview, unless you are hoping to work for a very wacky organisation of course. Red represents power, passion, impact, blood and danger, it’s a bold statement and standout colour.
“And although I would advise clients to go for a red shirt or top of some description when they are in my classes, it’s mainly only for casual dress, it’s certainly not seen as a formal colour generally.”
Purple
Kate Jones said: “Rather like with red, a true royal purple is not suitable for a general job interview, if you are hoping to work for a design agency or in fashion then it’s a fabulous colour for a lot of skin tones, but it’s not seen as a formal colour.
“Purple represents royalty; luxury in some cases extravagance. Purple tends to be a ‘marmite’ colour, people seem to love it or hate it and if you wear it to an interview it could therefore work against you.”
Grey
Kate Jones said: “Grey is a great formal colour and a mid or paler grey suits most people (avoid charcoal). A grey shirt is both smart and formal and can come across well with a navy suit or jacket helping you create a great first impression.”
Teal
Jones said: “Teal is a casual or rather glamorous colour so although you could own a fabulous jacket or suit in teal wool, I wouldn’t advise wearing a teal shirt to a job interview unless once again you know it’s a great colour on your skin tone and you know the company you are talking to are more relaxed with their dress code.”
Multi-colour and patterns
Kate Jones said: “A striped shirt is formal, a checked shirt less so and a floral or even Hawaiian shirt incredibly casual, so it’s all about the interview you are going to. If you want to be safe then go for a plain or striped shirt as most people will feel comfortable with that. And let’s face it when you walk in for an interview you want people to focus on you and not the shirt you are wearing.”