I thought formal was standard for college interviews, but I just read through some threads that included semi formal stuff like khakis to people wearing jeans and sneakers to interviews. Even interviewer’s attire ranged from full suit to casual wear like sweatpants. Suit seems too over the top though. I was thinking dress shirt, dress pants, and maybe a tie. Is this typical and suitable for most scenarios?
Perhaps noting the interviewer and the location may help you with this question. Expectations may be different if the interviewer is a banker doing the interview at a bank, versus a fitness instructor doing the interview at a gym.
If it’s at Starbucks you just can’t go wrong with khakis, a collared shirt, and deck shoes. Don’t forget a belt.
Remember that interviewers may be anywhere from just graduated to retired. As a retired interviewer, you can bet I’ll be casual, as it will be at a Starbucks. I honestly couldn’t care less what the student wears, as long as there are no offensive slogans on T-shirts 
I concur that khakis and a collared shirt will never be inappropriate unless you’re going to a bank in a major city.
Khakis, collared shirt, and shoes that are not sneakers is pretty much the standard “business casual,” and I agree that it will be appropriate for virtually all college interviews.
Dress shirt and dress pants would be fine in most circumstances but it depends where you are meeting. I would not wear a tie unless you are meeting the interviewer in his/her business office. And you can go less formal (ex. khakis and a polo or button down shirt) if you are meeting in a diner/Starbucks or something along those lines.
Office:
Collared shirt, slacks, dress/office shoes.
Starbucks/non-office setting:
Collared shirt or nice sweater, slacks or khakis, dress shoes or boat shoes.
Whatever your attire, wear a belt. I try to match the belt color to the shoe color.
If you do not normally dress as dressy as you do for the interview, pay particular attention to how well the clothes fit. It is common to see “dressed up” high school or college students or new graduates wearing poorly fitting dressy clothes that defeat the purpose. Try not to look like you are wearing your father’s clothes that are several sizes too big.
I got an email with interviewer info and it gave me a home address so I guess its at their house. Would the dress pants and dress shirt be too much for that? I understand suit for office and less formal for coffee shop, but what about home interviews?
@ucbalumnus Funny thing is I’m accustomed to dressing very casual(stuff thats probably not appropriate for any interview) or formal with a tie or suit. Not much in the middle with khakis, polos, etc.
This is my first and only interview so I don’t want to mess up on something easy like clothing.
I don’t think you need to be formal for the home interview, but either will be fine. The idea is just to seem respectful of the occasion – as if you took some time to put yourself together. Nothing fancy, but not “just rolled out of bed.”
@classof2017 I think the tie look is generally too much for most interviews and certainly for a home interview which is usually more casual even in the fanciest of houses. You are not alone in being unfamiliar with “the middle.” At work when we had events, we called it “country club casual” which was between jeans and dress pants. When my boys needed stuff for the middle, we found casual pants at Nordstrom (sounds expensive, but they weren’t, the brand was Bonobos and other department type stores would have them or pants like them) that were more cotton like khaki pants, but they came in navy blue or black, so they likely had a cotton dress shirt that matched. Now the dress shirt could be a button down but it was more on the casual side, still long sleeved, but maybe checkish or patterned, (not a heavy solid suit type shirt). Something with a little style that you might wear on a date to a restaurant someday. Tucking in a polo, if you are not used to it, can seem weird and cumbersome. Not everyone is made for a tucked in Lacoste look. Of course, then the issue becomes shoes for “the middle,” between athletic shoes and dress shoes. Those weren’t too hard though- there are a lot of inexpensive almost sneaker like shoes that look dressier but still cool in brown or black leather like Sperry or Cole Haan in stores like Nordstrom Rack, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx (hit and miss) etc. (Sorry if you have no idea what these are, not sure where you are at.) Relax and good luck!
I don’t think you have to rush out and buy a new wardrobe for a half hour or so alumni interview. It is common for students to have jeans and suits and not much in between. If you don’t have khaki type of clothing wear the dress pants and dress shirt you own.
I would say that before you head off to college you may want to get a couple of things along the lines of khaki pants/polo shirts etc.
We had to go out and get some dark casual slacks for the interview period, same issue - all he had was too casual or too dressy. Ended up using them a lot for other things once he had them. So many guys don’t own khaki’s (or want to these days). It makes sense to want to feel good and appropriate - helps the confidence. An overdressed guy feels like a woman wearing a sequin dress to the office. If you don’t have it and don’t want to spend a lot, get a pair of pants that matches a shirt you already have in the closet.
Long sleeves to cover up tattoos. Leave the nose ring, tongue stud, & ball cap at home. Ya never know…
So the interview is at a Starbucks and I am now feeling like even a dress shirt/dress pant combo is too much. Is it? Or else I could do something like khakis, sweater, and boat shoes. Is this good for a Starbucks environment?
Also instead of a sweater I have this long sleeve shirt that I could wear instead with khakis/deck shoes. I’m not sure what it’s called but it has three buttons at the top and I’ve seen people wear it with khakis/boat shoes but I’ve worn it pretty casually with jeans so not sure if that’s too casual.
I think you are overthinking it. Either would be fine. Really.
I have to agree that your are overthinking. The interviewer will not be focusing on your sartorial splendor. Either is fine. Good luck.
I’d go with the khakis and boat shoes – either the polo shirt or sweater would be fine. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
I think that is good and then you don’t need the tucked in shirt & belt thing which can be uncomfortable if you aren’t use to it. You want to feel good. I believe you are talking about a knit shirt that has a round neck (no collar) and 3 buttons that you don’t tuck in. Many of those are dressy enough and if you are wearing khakis and boat shoes that will nice it up enough. And you won’t feel all structured/tight. You should feel comfortable and confident in that. The sweater is ok too unless of course it makes you itchy and sweaty Making an effort is enough, you won’t be judged on your clothes if you don’t go in overboard in a fancy suit or as a total slob.