How to Dress for a Zoom Interview: Three Outfit Formulas for Any Industry
Take the guesswork out of choosing an interview outfit—without losing your personal style in the process.
This is a re-publish of the original version of this story, featuring fresh recs and updated styling tips.
Over the past five-plus years, I’ve learned a lot about dressing for Zoom. Through trial, error, and way too many hours of having my face broadcasted onto my coworkers’ screens, I’ve answered questions that never would have occurred to me back in my office days. Questions like: Which fabrics and colors look amazing in person but blah on camera? Which earrings completely vanish when I “blur my background”? And—don’t judge me—Which of my pajama tops can pass as real clothes when I’m only visible from the shoulders up?
While many companies have “returned to office” in 2025, there are plenty of people who maintain remote—or hybrid—schedules. So, I’ve decided to present my updated take on the topic, which revolves around three simple outfit formulas, all of which you can likely create with pieces that are already in your closet. The idea is to take the guesswork out of choosing your interview outfit, without being so prescriptive that you lose your personal style in the process. Because they’re designed for virtual interviews, these formulas only address the top half of the outfit, but you can add a wide range of bottoms—Better Than Denim jeans, trousers, stretchy skirts—to any of them, or sub the tops for dresses.
Below, find the outfit formulas and inspiration on how to wear them, plus the guiding principles I used to develop these looks.
1. Turtleneck + Button-Down
It’s always a good idea to try to match (if not exceed) the company’s dress code in your Zoom job interview, which can be difficult if you’re new to an industry. Sometimes, you can get a sense of what people wear by visiting the company website, but if you feel lost, this outfit formula offers a solid middle ground between casual and formal. Simply wear a slim-fitting turtleneck (my absolute favorite one ever is the Axam) underneath a button-down shirt like the Filomina, and there you have it: an outfit that’s professional and respectful, but not so dressed-up that you’ll feel awkward if your interviewer happens to be a be-hoodied tech bro. The Axam comes in an array of colors, so you can easily switch up your palette depending on your mood and the formality of your industry.
2. Patterned Top + Neutral Jacket
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times: Business casual doesn’t have to mean boring! Infuse a bit of personality into your outfit (and the company culture) with a patterned top like the Dotty in kaleidoscope print. Layering on a classic and neutral blazer like the Yiyan in black will keep the outfit squarely in the professional realm and ensure that the print doesn’t appear too busy on the screen. That said, don’t be afraid to finish the outfit with statement earrings, like the Quinn hoops—after all, Zoom calls can be draining, and it never hurts to make things a little livelier. For more outfit options, try the Airy Cotton Didion top with the Merritt jardigan, or the Nika top in brushed floral print with the also-breezy Teddy jacket.
3. Understated Top + Textured Jacket
Beautiful fabrics don’t always translate on camera, so if you want to look luxe for your virtual job interviews, try choosing a piece with some texture—and make sure to sit somewhere with a good amount of natural light. A jacket made from Interweave—a gorgeous, Japanese-crafted knit that looks like tweed but feels like a sweater—would be an excellent option. I’m a big fan of the slightly cropped Lilia jacket, because it looks so good with my Milo jeans, but the Porter is also a great option if you like lapels. I paired the Lilia with my trusty knit Choe top and added some chunky hoop earrings for a more modern look. The boucle Evangeline jardigan or the sharkskin Tyner jacket would also be excellent options.
This is great. I never thought about how to dress for Zoom. So many ideas. Thank you Maddie.