The pressure starts with an email. “Kindly avail yourself for an interview on Thursday at 10am. Dress professionally.”
You reread the message, heart racing not from fear of the panel, but from panic about your wardrobe. What exactly does “professional” mean when your closet is mostly hoodies, jeans, and t-shirts?
With youth unemployment still high and many internships offering little to no pay, young people often find themselves entering the job market without the financial buffer to match the dress code. It is the part of the job search that no one talks about.
The unofficial interview dress code
First impressions matter. Studies show that recruiters form an opinion about you within the first seven to 17 seconds of meeting you, and your outfit is often the loudest thing you say before you open your mouth.
“I did not have a suit for my first job interview, so I borrowed a blazer from a friend, wore a plain white tee, and ironed my brother’s black trousers. I felt awkward, but I showed up,” says Anne Kabiru, a communications graduate.
She did not get the job, but she learnt that you do not need a full suit to look intentional, you just need to look like you made an effort.
The silent stress of ‘looking the part’
For many young Kenyans, especially those fresh from college, there is often a wide gap between career expectations and financial reality. You are told to “look sharp,” but nobody tells you how to afford it when you are unemployed or earning peanuts.
Internships and entry-level jobs rarely consider the hidden cost of fitting in a decent bag, an ironed shirt, polished shoes, and transport money to job interviews in town. Social media, where influencers flaunt well-fitted suits, custom-made dresses, and crisp white sneakers, only makes it worse.
There’s an unspoken shame in showing up with scuffed shoes or wearing the same outfit to back-to-back interviews. But the truth is, you are not alone, and there are ways to work around it.
Thrift is the new drip
Enter Gikomba. Or Toi. Or Instagram thrift accounts. Kenya’s second-hand economy is a budget lifesaver and a fashion goldmine.
“For less than Sh1,000, I got trousers, a blazer, and a blouse,” says Sharon Koskey, who thrifted her first work outfit just days before an interview. “They were not designer, but they were clean, ironed, and made me feel like I belonged in that room.”
The secret to thrift shopping is patience, good eyes, and knowing your size. Shopping in person gives you room to try pieces on and bargain. If you prefer online sellers, read reviews and request videos before paying.
Pro tip: Stick to neutral colours like black, navy, beige, and grey. They are easy to repeat without looking repetitive and can be mixed and matched across outfits.
Repeat, but do not retreat
Worried someone might notice you wore the same shirt last week? Relax. Most people are too focused on themselves to keep a diary of your wardrobe.
“Repeating outfits does not mean you are lazy, it means you are strategic. I have one solid shirt I rotate with three different trousers. Add a tie or jacket, and it looks like a whole new outfit,” says Kelvin Oloo, a digital marketer.
Try the “capsule wardrobe” trick, build a mini-collection of versatile clothes that can be combined in multiple ways. A white shirt can be formal with black pants, smart-casual with jeans, or layered under a blazer.
Confidence is a key accessory
While clothes can influence perception, your posture, attitude, and how you carry yourself matter just as much, if not more.
If you are feeling unsure, prepare ahead. Iron your outfit the night before, polish your shoes, and avoid last-minute panics. Walk into the room with your head high and your purpose clear.
Confidence can fill in the gaps your outfit cannot.
Look good, but don’t go broke
It is tempting to buy a whole new outfit to “feel ready,” but financial strain can distract you more than an old blazer ever could. Do not go into debt over dress codes. Instead, consider borrowing from friends or siblings.
You can also revamp what you already own by ironing properly, replacing missing buttons, or adjusting hems for a better fit. If possible, build your wardrobe gradually by setting aside a small amount each month to buy one work item at a time. And once you secure a job or internship, continue adding to your collection slowly. You don’t need everything at once.
The workplace is evolving. Many industries now embrace smart-casual or business-casual styles. What matters most is showing up neat, presentable, and prepared.
