When Scott Galloway saw the sandals on the fellow interviewee’s feet, he knew he would probably get the job.

Galloway, Sioux City, Iowa, senior, says he dressed appropriately for the interview, and this gave him an advantage against his casual competition.

When you can go to class in your pajamas, it’s sometimes hard to remember what the real world expects from you in an interview. Dressing too casually or wearing unpressed and dirty clothes will tell your interviewer that you haven’t put time and energy into preparing for your interview, says Wendy Shoemaker, senior assistant director at the University Career Center.

“You should always dress as formally as you can for an interview,” Shoemaker says. “When in doubt, dress conservatively.”

Chris Pavlacka, Topeka senior, says he overdressed when he applied at an Apple store; the manager was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Despite misjudging the manager’s expectations, he got the job. Ron Ash, professor of business, says you should dress like your interviewer because you’ll take advantage of the “similar-to-me” dynamic during the interview.

You should research the dress environment where you will be interviewing, says career coach Hallie Crawford, because knowing what others wear will help you judge what you should wear. However, you should “err on the side of being more professional and formal than casual,” Crawford says. “Not all workplaces are as casual as Google.”

“If your mom would approve, chances are you’re dressed OK for an interview,” says Meg Montford, a career coach of 22 years in Kansas City, Missouri. “She’s a good barometer.”

Where to start? The first thing you need to do, Shoemaker says, is buy a quality interview suit in a conservative color such as blue, black or gray.

“Don’t try to make a major statement with your clothes,” Crawford says. “You want to stand out your personality and qualifications, not the funky clothes you are wearing. If you want to show your personality with your clothing, wear a scarf, tie or something else small that expresses it.”

Crawford says you should wear something you feel confident in, and you should dress as someone who already has the job.

Finally, you should wear a smile, Montford says. “Even though you’re nervous, it will help you relax and make you appear more approachable.”

Dos and don’ts of interview prep

Do wear clean and polished shoes, says Wendy Shoemaker, senior assistant director at the University Career Center. Your footwear says a lot about you; clean and polished shoes tell the interviewer you are prepped. The color of your shoes should match your suit, says career coach Hallie Crawford, so don’t wear brown shoes with a black suit. Shoemaker says you should break your shoes in before wearing them, or else your feet may ache during the interview. “When your feet hurt, it shows on your face,” Shoemaker says.

Do wear a tie. It’s critical for a guy.

Don’t wear perfume or cologne because your interviewer may have a sensitivity to it, Shoemaker says. The last thing you want to do is give your interviewer an allergic reaction.

Do have a recent haircut, Crawford says. Keep your hair simple, though, with natural colors.

Don’t smoke in your interview suit, otherwise you’ll smell of smoke.

Do wear pantyhose if you are a woman, Shoemaker says. “This is coming from someone who despises pantyhose.”

Don’t wear too much jewelry, says Meg Montford, a career coach, because it distracts the interviewer’s attention from you. If you are a guy, take your earrings out. If you have earrings in other places, remember to keep them covered up.

Do shave. If a beard is a must, Montford says, then see what the culture in the company is beforehand.

Don’t wear short skirts or low necklines, Montford says.