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How to wear a checked shirt for an interview
Considering checked shirts started out as garments for outside-working people and continued to evolve into a more casual type of wear it seems unlikely anyone would apply it for a formal interview dress code, right? Wrong!
Is a tailor-made suit still considered to be the non-plus ultra for the office? This question can be answered quickly with a clear “NO”. Because even in the most conservative companies there’s a fresh wind blowing when it comes to styles of clothing. Which is great news for Ladies and Gents alike, considering the time of the uniform look is finally over.
That being said, we’re going to take you through a thorough tutorial on how to fuse an otherwise casual garment with the utmost formal situation – a job interview.
A little background information
The plaid print has undergone several changes, with various sub-cultures taking it to new eras and styles. In its history it has been worn in various formal styles, even being worn by royal guards at one point. Considering this, it kind of makes sense that you can easily achieve a smart look with the help of a plaid shirt.
It’s very important to keep in mind that a checked shirt in and off itself is not the ideal choice for a formal situation like this so it all comes down to how you combine it with the rest of the garments you choose to wear. It is a fine line that separates a checked shirt outfit that says “lumberjacking” from “I wear what I want and still look great”.
Being able to integrate an otherwise casual garment into a formal classy outlook also says much about your level of confidence.
So, what do I wear exactly?
For those who are not inherently talented in combining different types of clothing, we’re going to break this down for you.
Plaid shirts often come in thick cotton which allows them to be easily layered over T-shirts and blouses, but for a formal look you should try and get a thinner material that’s easy to tuck into your trousers or skirt, depending on your gender.
There are obviously some differences between the choices of men and women when it comes to wearing plaid patterned shirts in a formal occasion such as this.
Starting off with the gentlemen, what’s the best way to dress up in this context?
The first thing that comes to mind is pairing a checked shirt with a plain suit. Why plain? Because if you mix too many patterns together you’ll be creating an awkward clash which goes in the opposite direction of the smart look you’re trying to achieve. If this combo is a bit too much for you, you can tone it down a bit by pairing your shirt with some tailored trousers instead. Combined with fancy and modern trousers, checked shirts exude just as much seriousness as any monochrome shirt would.
Another option would be combining it with a blazer or a dark suit. Even small changes like tucking the shirt into your jeans or adding a belt will make a big difference in transforming this casual piece of kit into something sharper.
A recommendable feature to add to any formal occasion is a tie. Since a checked shirt is quite the opposite of plain, you’d want to keep the tie as subtle as possible whilst still gaining that sophisticated edge that a good tie can add. Patterns like stripes, graphic designs or abstract prints will create an eye-catching look by clashing with the checked print. A neutral color such as black or navy is always a good choice .
A good example is a skinny tie which is great for matching with a shirt that’s a little out of the ordinary, giving you an alternative yet smart edge. This is one example out of many, since ties come in all shapes and sizes, so here are some tips for the road: Use contrasting color combinations – Everyone knows that contrasting colors make your stand out more. Use analogous color combinations – While relinquishing the effect that contrasting colors provide, it’s a minimalistic pairing that symbolizes a certain level of sartorial sophistication.
If it is a formal interview dress-code then you should at least go for one of the mentioned options: suit, tailored trousers, blazer, tie. Beyond that, it becomes hard not to enter the not-so-formal realm of clothing.
Dress one of the three basic elements (suit, shirt, and tie) as a plain or solid. While some men can, in fact, pull off three highly patterned pieces, you’ll be saving yourself some headaches if you stick to this basic guideline.
The woman version
Women have an advantage compared to men, in the sense that not only do they get to wear what is considered quintessentially womanly clothing, they can also master pretty much any wardrobe choices that men have. It should not come as a surprise to know that women too, can wear checked shirts in both casual and formal way.
There is something rugged and almost masculine about plaid shirt outfits, which ironically brings out the femininity of a woman wearing it in a contrasting manner which makes it very striking.
Just like their male counterparts, women can combine a plaid shirt with some modern and fancy jeans or trousers. They contrast greatly to your feminine charms, adding a certain tomboyish appeal.
Another option to go for is to combine a checked shirt, nicely tucked inside an elegant skirt that covers your knees (using short skirts during a job interview is not recommended). Finish it off by adding some good looking and classy high heels and you’ll not only look smart and professional but confident as well.
You can also go for a nerdier look. Button your shirt almost all the way up to the collar and pair with a sweater vest. Top it off with tailored trousers and voilà: you’re halfway through to getting hired.
A fancy blazer is also a viable option. A nicely tucked in checked shirt with a contrasting plain blazer combined with a black office skirt will make for a very professional first impression.
You can make any of these options more work-appropriate by adding a chic cape and booties.
When it comes to choosing color (and this applies to both sexes), one should use natural colors as a standard go-to option. These would be green, brown, blue or burgundy. Bright and bold colors are more suitable for leisure time and should be avoided for a stylish appearance in the office.
That sums it up!
It should go without saying that all the mentioned options aim for a more “serious” kind of job interview. It feels important to say this because there are plenty of less formal jobs you can apply to, in which case the spectrum of choices regarding how to wear a checked shirt becomes significantly larger.
Above all, remember this: these are simple guidelines that are not here to dictate what you are supposed to wear. It is important to form your own stylistic expression, so you can always give it a little extra something that no one else can.