A job interview in London is a particular kind of performance. The city takes style seriously without taking it too seriously — bankers in the City dress differently from creatives in Shoreditch, and wearing the wrong thing won’t disqualify you, but wearing the right thing quietly helps. If you’re wondering what to wear to a job interview in London, the answer depends on the industry, but the principles are universal: look intentional, look comfortable, and look like you already belong.

Here’s the rule that overrides everything: dress one notch above the company’s everyday dress code. You can research that code in advance (LinkedIn photos, the company’s Instagram, Glassdoor). When in doubt, slightly overdressed beats underdressed — nobody ever lost a job for looking too polished.

What to wear to a job interview in London: by industry

Corporate, finance, law, consulting

The City and Canary Wharf still mean business dress. Men: a well-fitting navy or charcoal suit, white or light-blue shirt, conservative tie, polished shoes. Women: a tailored suit (trouser or skirt) or a sheath dress with a blazer, closed-toe heels or smart flats, minimal jewellery. Everything pressed, everything fitted. This is the one context where playing it safe is playing it smart.

Tech, startups, creative agencies

Shoreditch, Soho and the startup hubs run smart-casual. Men: dark jeans or chinos, a crisp shirt or quality knit, a blazer if you want the edge, clean minimal trainers or loafers. Women: tailored trousers or a midi skirt, a blouse or fine knit, a blazer, loafers or low heels. The goal is “polished creative” — intentional, not corporate. A full suit here can look like you misread the room, though it’s never a disaster.

Retail, hospitality, public sector, charities

Smart and approachable: chinos or tailored trousers, a shirt or blouse, a knit or blazer layer, clean shoes. Neat, friendly, practical. For NHS, teaching or council roles, this level is exactly right — overdressing can feel out of touch.

Universal rules that matter more than the outfit

  • Fit is everything. An affordable suit that fits beats an expensive one that doesn’t. If buying new, budget £20–£40 for tailoring — it transforms high-street suits. Our guide to choosing the right suit covers fit in detail.
  • Grooming counts double. Clean shoes (genuinely — interviewers notice), neat hair, trimmed nails, subtle fragrance or none. Iron or steam everything the night before.
  • Keep it simple. One statement piece maximum. Loud patterns, flashy jewellery and strong cologne distract from what you’re saying.
  • Dress for the commute too. London weather is a factor — arrive with a proper coat and umbrella rather than turning up damp. Our winter commute coat guide helps if interviews fall in the colder months.
  • Bag matters. A scruffy backpack undermines a sharp suit. A simple tote, briefcase or structured bag (£20–£40 does it) completes the picture.

Video interviews

Half of first-round London interviews are now on video. The rules shift slightly: solid colours (avoid stripes and busy patterns that moiré on camera), good lighting on your face, and dress fully — not just the top half — because you might need to stand up. Our tips for looking polished on video calls apply directly.

Building an interview wardrobe on a budget

You don’t need a new wardrobe — one versatile interview outfit covers most situations. A navy blazer (£35–£60 at M&S, H&M or Uniqlo), white shirt (£15–£25), dark tailored trousers (£25–£40), and clean smart shoes can be assembled for under £120 and works across industries with small tweaks. Add a tie or a silk scarf for formal settings. For ongoing office life after you land the role, our guides to high-street office wear brands and building a 10-piece work wardrobe take it from there. The National Careers Service has solid general advice on preparing for interviews beyond the outfit.

The London interview: industry-by-industry dress codes

“Dress smart” means wildly different things across London industries. Getting the calibration right matters more than any single garment.

Finance, law, consultancy (City/Canary Wharf): still the most formal. Men: dark suit, white or light-blue shirt, restrained tie, polished shoes. Women: tailored suit or sheath dress with blazer, closed-toe heels or smart flats, minimal jewellery. Even where “business casual” is claimed, interview formality runs one notch above daily wear. When in doubt here, overdress — nobody ever lost a banking job for being too smart.

Tech, startups, creative agencies (Shoreditch, Soho, King’s Cross): smart casual is the baseline, but “casual” still means deliberate. Dark jeans or chinos, a crisp shirt or quality knit, clean minimal trainers or smart shoes. The trap is underdressing — turning up in gym wear signals you didn’t take it seriously. One sharp layer (a blazer, a good coat) over simple basics hits the mark.

Media, publishing, charities: the middle ground — polished but personality-friendly. Tailored separates, interesting but not loud accessories, proper shoes. These industries notice taste; a well-chosen piece that shows who you are (within reason) works in your favour.

Retail, hospitality, customer-facing roles: mirror the brand. Interviewing at a luxury retailer? Dress like their shop floor. At a high-street chain? Smart casual, clean and approachable. Showing you understand the customer starts with looking like you belong there.

Universal London specifics: check the weather and plan the commute — arriving soaked or sprinting from a delayed Tube undoes the outfit. Bring a proper bag, not a plastic carrier. And the coat question: whatever you wear, the coat over it should be decent, because in London it’s part of the outfit for eight months of the year. A good interview outfit under a shabby coat sends a mixed message at the door.

When genuinely unsure, email the recruiter and ask. “What’s the dress code for the interview?” is a completely normal question, and every recruiter prefers being asked to watching a candidate guess wrong.

Your takeaway: intentional beats expensive

What to wear to a job interview in London comes down to: research the company’s dress code, dress one notch above it, prioritise fit and grooming over labels, and prepare for the weather and the format (in-person or video). Look like you belong there — because you’re about to.