Wearing any of these to an interview might get you noticed for all the wrong reasons.
Job interviews already come with enough pressure, but showing up in the wrong outfit can quietly sabotage your chances before you’ve even said a word. It’s not just about looking presentable—it’s about showing respect, fitting the environment, and demonstrating some social awareness. You don’t need to wear a tux or designer label, but certain fashion choices will absolutely send the wrong message and make you memorable for reasons you’ll wish you weren’t.
In a world where first impressions form in seconds, what you wear does matter. It’s not about being judged for your personality or experience—it’s about how you carry yourself in a high-stakes situation. These fashion blunders go beyond being a little underdressed or overly casual. Some of them are so outrageous that they can make hiring managers wonder if you’re pranking them. If you’re heading into an interview, skip these wardrobe disasters unless you’re trying to get shown the door before you even sit down.
1. Showing up in pajamas or loungewear sends the wrong message.
This isn’t just a quirky choice—it screams “I don’t care.” Pajama pants, fuzzy slippers, or oversized hoodies might be cozy, but they have no place in a professional setting, according to Amy Heine at Indeed. Even if you’re applying to a remote job or a casual startup, showing up in sleepwear tells the interviewer you’re not taking the opportunity seriously. It gives the impression you just rolled out of bed and didn’t think it was worth putting in any effort.
Even if your work-from-home culture leans laid-back, the interview isn’t the time to test boundaries. First impressions matter, and you want to be remembered for your skills, not your SpongeBob pajama bottoms. Comfortable doesn’t have to mean careless. You can wear something simple and neat without looking like you’re headed back to the couch for a Netflix marathon. Save the slippers for later—show respect by showing up like you want the job.
2. Wearing clothing with offensive graphics or language is a hard no.
It might sound obvious, but people still walk into interviews wearing T-shirts with profanity, controversial slogans, or inappropriate images, as reported by Rachel Pelta at The Forage. Even if it’s meant to be funny or ironic, the risk far outweighs the reward. That shirt with a crude joke or aggressive political message might be your favorite, but it’s the fastest way to guarantee you won’t be called back.
Companies are looking for team players, not walking HR violations. If your outfit makes the hiring manager uncomfortable, you’ve already lost the room before you speak. It doesn’t matter how talented you are—if your shirt turns heads for the wrong reason, it’ll overshadow everything else. You don’t need a three-piece suit, but you do need common sense. Leave the edgy fashion statements at home and stick to something that won’t cause raised eyebrows or awkward silences.
3. Wearing sunglasses indoors makes you look like you’re hiding something.
Unless you’re recovering from eye surgery or walking into a blinding interrogation room, there’s no reason to wear sunglasses during an interview. Keeping them on indoors is a surefire way to seem aloof, distracted, or worse—disrespectful. Eye contact matters during interviews, and hiding behind dark lenses blocks that crucial connection before it can even begin.
Even if you think you look cool or you’re coming straight from outside, take a moment to remove them before you walk in, as stated by Susan Levine at The Ladders. Keeping sunglasses on can create a wall between you and your interviewer, making you seem closed off or uninterested. Plus, they can give off a vibe that you’re hiding something, even if you’re not. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in how approachable and sincere you come across.
4. Dousing yourself in cologne or perfume can overwhelm the room.
Smelling pleasant is one thing—smelling like you just got dunked in a vat of fragrance is something else entirely. It’s easy to forget that some people are sensitive to strong scents, especially in small interview rooms or enclosed offices. Wearing overpowering cologne or perfume can be distracting, uncomfortable, and even cause allergic reactions.
Your interviewer should remember your answers, not your scent trail. A light spritz, if any, is all you need. The goal is fresh and clean, not “gas station body spray explosion.” When in doubt, skip it altogether and focus on being well-groomed instead. You don’t want your fragrance to be the thing people talk about after you leave—at least not in a bad way. A subtle presence goes a long way in leaving a good impression.
5. Wearing sky-high heels or loud shoes can derail your confidence.
Towering heels might seem stylish, but if they make you wobble like a newborn giraffe or click-clack down the hallway like a tap dancer, they’re doing you more harm than good. Shoes should support your confidence, not challenge your balance or become a distraction. And if your footwear is screaming louder than you are, it’s probably not a good fit for an interview.
Loud prints, neon colors, or stilettos might look great on a night out, but they rarely say “I’m ready to join your team.” Opt for clean, comfortable, and quiet shoes that let you focus on speaking well and walking tall. When your shoes blend in, your professionalism stands out. If you can’t walk, stand, or sit comfortably in them for an hour, leave them in the closet and go with something that won’t upstage you.
6. Wearing wrinkled or stained clothes screams unprepared.
Even if your outfit technically fits the job’s dress code, showing up with visible stains or a wrinkled mess gives the impression you don’t care. It doesn’t matter how expensive the brand is—if your shirt looks like it lived on your bedroom floor for a week, you’re already sending the wrong message. Details like this reflect your attention to professionalism, and interviewers notice.
You don’t need a dry cleaner-level press, but you do need basic self-awareness. Take a few minutes the night before to iron your shirt and check for spots or tears. Showing up neat tells people you’re organized, dependable, and mindful of your presentation. And if laundry day is overdue, borrow something or make a quick stop at a store. A polished look doesn’t require a big budget—just a little effort.
7. Wearing too much bling can steal the spotlight.
Jewelry should accent your outfit, not dominate the conversation. Giant hoop earrings, stacks of bangles, or anything that clinks and flashes every time you move is going to be distracting. The goal is to highlight your professionalism, not compete with a disco ball. If your accessories are louder than your voice, they’re doing more harm than good.
This applies to watches, piercings, and even flashy belt buckles. Keep it simple, subtle, and work-appropriate. A clean watch or a modest necklace can show style without shouting. You want people to remember what you said—not what you were wearing on your wrists. The interview is your spotlight, and the less your jewelry competes for attention, the better your chances of being taken seriously.
8. Wearing casual flip-flops or beach sandals is a major red flag.
Unless you’re applying for a job at a surf shop or poolside resort, showing up in flip-flops is a fast track to the “no” pile. Even in laid-back work environments, flip-flops say “I didn’t try.” They’re noisy, they’re flimsy, and they make you look like you wandered in off the street. Your feet might love the breeze, but your interviewer won’t be impressed.
Even worse, they often come paired with sloppy outfits, chipped toenail polish, or dirty soles. None of that reads as professional. Closed-toe shoes are your safest bet unless you know the culture is ultra-casual. Better to be slightly overdressed than to risk looking like you’re on your way to the beach. Your footwear should say, “I came prepared,” not “I stopped caring.”
9. Wearing workout clothes tells them you’ve got somewhere better to be.
Athleisure might rule your wardrobe, but yoga pants, tank tops, or running shoes should stay at home during an interview. Even if you’re in great shape or just came from the gym, it looks careless. It suggests you didn’t bother to change, or worse—you’re squeezing the interview between more important plans.
Dressing like you’re on your way to spin class doesn’t exactly scream commitment. It takes just a few extra minutes to swap into something clean, simple, and put-together. You don’t need to dress like you’re headed to the Oscars, but showing up in sweat-wicking gear makes it seem like the job isn’t a priority. And if that’s how you come in the door, they’ll assume it only goes downhill from there.
10. Wearing a suit that clearly doesn’t fit will undermine your look.
A suit that’s too big or too tight can throw off your entire appearance. Sleeves past your knuckles or pants bunching at your ankles make you look more like you borrowed it from someone else than someone ready to impress. The same goes for a blazer that pulls across the chest or pants that ride too high—awkward fits distract people and make you feel uncomfortable.
Tailoring makes a massive difference. Even a budget suit can look sharp when it fits well. If a full suit isn’t required, a clean button-down and slacks that actually fit will carry you much further than a designer outfit that doesn’t sit right. You want your clothes to work with you, not against you. When your outfit fits well, you carry yourself differently—and interviewers absolutely notice.
11. Wearing overly flashy makeup can be more distracting than professional.
Bold colors, glitter, dramatic lashes—these might be fun for a night out, but they’re risky in a job interview. If your makeup is the first thing people notice, it’s probably a bit much for the setting. The goal is to look polished and put-together, not like you’re heading to a photoshoot or nightclub.
Subtle makeup can enhance your features and show that you pay attention to detail. Stick to clean lines, neutral tones, and a look that won’t smudge halfway through your answer about teamwork. You want the focus to stay on what you bring to the table, not how sparkly your eyelids are. Keep it simple, and let your confidence—not your contour—steal the show.