What should I wear to an Oxford college interview?

Wear something neat, comfortable, and slightly smart, not fully formal. For an Oxford college interview, business-casual or smart-casual is usually the safest choice, such as a collared shirt, sweater, blouse, simple trousers, dark jeans without rips, or a casual dress or skirt. You do not need a suit.

Oxford interviews are academic conversations, not corporate job interviews, so tutors care much more about how you think than what you wear. The best outfit is one that looks tidy and helps you feel at ease, because being uncomfortable or overly dressed can make the interview feel more stressful than it needs to be.

Good options include a plain sweater over a shirt, a blouse with trousers, or a simple dress with flats or clean shoes. Avoid anything very messy, overly flashy, or distracting, like clothes with loud graphics, very formal eventwear, or anything you constantly need to adjust.

If your interview is online, the same idea applies. Wear something presentable from the waist up, choose neutral or simple clothing, and avoid patterns that look strange on camera.