The wardrobe essentials you need to make the right first impression.

Thinking of making a career change? Made it past the initial stages of moaning to your friends, scrolling through LinkedIn and meeting various bored recruiters for breakfast? Gone so far as to have secured yourself – gasp – an interview? Yes, the whole thing has been somewhat challenging and emotionally draining up until now (not least the part where you needed to invent a doctor’s appointment to get a few hours out of the office), but at crunch time things are particularly tough, chiefly because you have to figure out what to wear. Of course, if you’re applying for a position in a more traditional line of work, such as banking or law, it’s rather more straightforward: look smart and wear a suit. But if you’re hovering in the direction of something creative, it’s a tad trickier. You need to tread a fine line between professional and interesting, lest those mobile-wielding millennials queueing up behind you swoop in and scoop the job because they know how to use Snapchat. We’ve put together the following selection to give you a few ideas in this respect.

A blazer will always help you to look smart, capable and grown-up, but it’s important to not appear too stuffy or traditional on such a crucial first-impression moment as an interview. No, you are a disruptive individual (or at least want to appear like one). Let them know this with the above jacket from Theory, which comes in a flattering, flexible stretch cotton. You could, obviously, choose to wear this with a button-down shirt, but a grandad collar might make you stand out that little bit more.

You don’t want to mess around too much with shoes and trousers for an interview. Excessive jazz in either department can come across a little eccentric or characterful, or another one of those words that you never really want to see on your annual review. So, black trousers, black shoes then. But you can add interest to both by opting for contemporary versions of the archetypes – these wool trousers from Acne Studios, for example, come with a sporty drawstring waist. And Lanvin’s elasticated Derbies are not only easy to slip on and off, but have a pleasingly utilitarian caterpillar sole that makes them look well and truly ready for business.

Being over-prepared for an interview is never a bad thing, which is why it’s a good idea to bring a bag with you, stuffed with useful things such as copies of your CV and cover letter, extra examples of your work or even something interesting-looking to read while you wait in reception (all the better if it sparks off an impromptu conversation mid-interview). Just be sure not to overdo it. It’s always daunting for an interviewer when someone arrives with a huge gym bag full of goodness knows what, or a giant portfolio that can barely fit on their desk. Finally, if you need glasses, wear them. How will you get the job if you can’t make proper eye contact? What’s more, a set of handsome tortoiseshell opticals from Oliver Peoples (as opposed to whatever’s on offer at Specsavers) will demonstrate that you’re a man who, in life as in work, truly appreciates the details.