NEW YORK — When Dani McEwen arrived at a job interview at an insurance company wearing a matching blazer and pants, it seemed like a safe choice — until she noticed that most employees were dressed in T-shirts and jeans.

"The first thing that went through my mind was that I probably looked like I was trying way too hard and maybe seemed too uptight," said McEwen, a student at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.

As virtual interviews and casual work environments become increasingly common, job candidates face growing uncertainty about what to wear when meeting potential employers, whether online or in person. Polished suits and traditional professional business attire — long the standard recommendation from career advisers — are no longer the default option, particularly when interviewers themselves may appear in hoodies and shorts.

The disconnect between long-established conventions and the more relaxed workplace culture of the post-pandemic era is leaving many applicants unsure of how to dress to impress. The widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work arrangements that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped not only where Americans work but also what they wear while doing it, leaving few clear rules for an applicant population that includes both recent graduates and experienced workers navigating career transitions.

"If the last six years has proven anything, it's that everyone and everything has become slightly more relaxed," said Christina Adamo, a personal stylist at the Neiman Marcus store in Paramus, New Jersey. "That especially goes for dress codes, in great part because of the transition a lot of companies have had to hybrid and remote work."

A well-tailored suit remains the recommended choice for executive positions and roles in fields such as law and finance, according to stylists and staffing recruiters. However, experts advise researching an organization's culture beforehand or asking the hiring manager or recruiter directly about the dress code. Getting it right — or wrong — can affect performance, particularly during in-person meetings.

"If you walk in and you're already feeling out of place in the atmosphere, your answers just aren't as good," said McEwen, 20, who manages a student career closet of donated suits and work attire at her university. "Most of what matters about your interview outfit is that you feel confident about it. It puts you in the mindset that you're going to succeed."

Research Company Culture, Then Elevate Your Look

One effective way to gauge an organization's style is to review its social media accounts or website for photos of employees. For example, the career section of The Walt Disney Co.'s website features photos of an attorney, a writer, and a maintenance technician employed by the company. Once candidates understand how employees in their field typically dress, experts recommend aiming for a slightly more polished version of that look for the interview.

"If you were to look at a company's LinkedIn page and they're using words like 'We're fresh, we're innovative, we're the new kids on the block, we're here to shock the industry,' then you know that the dress code is going to be more casual than if they're saying 'We are a traditional historic brand with traditional values,'" said Samantha Harman, a London-based personal stylist and author of "Just Get Dressed," a personal style guide for women.

For those seeking more senior roles, Harman, 37, advises refreshing your style to avoid looking dated. "You don't want anyone to think that you have a dated skill set because you want to be seen as someone who's innovative, who's going to have lots of new ideas."

Even after careful research, candidates sometimes find themselves dressing more formally than their interviewers. Molly Tyndale, 22, wore a blouse and suit jacket to an online interview for a business development position after being told the company's dress code was "business professional." She was surprised when one of her interviewers appeared in an athletic T-shirt.

"If I, as the candidate, had joined in a T-shirt, that would almost certainly be an automatic no," she said. "It's frustrating."

Building a First Impression of Accomplishment

A wardrobe can serve as a personal branding tool throughout a career, Harman noted. Hiring managers for senior positions are increasingly asking themselves: "Does this person look like somebody we can send out if there's a crisis and we need somebody to talk to the media? Or does this person look like they could host our next internal conference? Do they look like we could put them on a stage?"

To project quiet confidence as a publicist in Los Angeles, Dylan Thomas Cotter wears a dark blue tailored suit to job interviews and client meetings. In public relations, "if something goes south, we need to immediately look like we're capable to handle that," said Cotter, 43. "But also, when we make our first impression on behalf of our clients, we can make or break their business if we're not good at what we do."

For those who want to be perceived as leaders, Harman suggests watching fall fashion shows to identify colors likely to trend in the spring, then wearing those colors ahead of the season. Browsing Vogue magazine can reveal emerging colors and silhouettes. "Always look at shoes and bags, because they have interesting updates that could look quite cool," she said.

Job seekers on a budget can explore thrift stores or community organizations that provide donated career clothing, resources that have expanded in recent years as universities and nonprofits respond to growing demand from students and displaced workers alike.

Prioritize Cleanliness and Fit for Every Interview

While formality levels differ across workplaces, certain interview-dressing guidelines consistently apply.

"Make sure everything is nice and clean and presentable," to convey that the opportunity is being taken seriously, said Jamie Close, a Charleston, South Carolina-based corporate recruiter at HireQuest, a national staffing and recruiting firm. "Then you'll feel more confident about yourself as well because you're not worried about ill-fitting clothes."

Close also advised against wearing something brand new to an interview for the first time. "Make sure you've worn it somewhere before so you know how it feels when you're sitting down or standing up and you're not constantly fidgeting with your clothes," she said.

For skilled trades positions, Close offered specific guidance: "wear what you wear to work, but wear that nice, clean version. Clean boots, a nice collared shirt, ready to work. But not like you just walked off of a work site."

Virtual Interviews Deserve the Same Effort as In-Person Meetings

Experts agree that candidates should dress for a virtual interview just as they would for an in-person meeting. Even if the camera captures only the head and torso, Harman recommends wearing shoes, as they can signal to the brain to shift into a professional mode.

For virtual interviews, Adamo advises choosing solid colors, which tend to look better on camera than busy patterns.

"You want to show up as the best version of yourself and that includes dressing the part," Adamo said. "While many would suggest 'waist up' dressing since your top half is doing most of the work, I recommend treating it as if you were going in person. It helps put you in the right headspace, and feeling confident in what you're wearing is the most important part."