At the Starr Career Development Center, we believe that students have the right to wear clothing that helps them feel affirmed, especially in professional settings.
Below are guidelines for clothing in professional settings for all gender identities.

General Tips

• No fragrances the day of an interview
• No smoking before the interview
• Avoid flashy jewelry during an interview
• Wear modest makeup and have clean nails
• Opt for neutral and solid colored outfits

Do’s and Don’ts

Blazers

• Wear a well-fitting blazer with no wrinkles and does not pull when buttoned
• Snip the ‘X’ seam on the back of a new blazer
• Choose a solid color with no patterns

Pants

• Find the right fit that is comfortable for you
• Blazer should compliment the color and pattern of pants
• Avoid wearing pants that are too tight or too baggy
• No jeans or athletic wear

Skirts

• Practice sitting in your skirt/dress to make sure it does not ride up during an interview
• Avoid wearing skirts/dresses that are too tight and uncomfortable

Dresses

• Dresses should be knee-length when standing and cover thighs when sitting
• No sundresses or tight fitting dresses

Shoes

• Wear polished shoes
• Wear 1-2 inch heels that are comfortable
• No sandals or open toe shoes
• Avoid shoes with heavy scuff marks that are heavily worn

Accessories

• Bring a pen and notebook or padfolio
• Wear clean eyeglasses
• Make sure your pockets are empty to avoid pockets bulging while sitting
• Do not wear a backpack

*Remember, Starr provides a limited number of professional clothing rentals at no cost. Stop by NVC 2-150 to learn more! (Fall 2020: Starr CDC is currently working remotely and this service may not be available. Please contact Starr CDC.)

careerdc@baruch.cuny.edu
646-312-4670 | www.baruch.cuny.edu/careers