While today the majority of workplaces fall firmly within the casual but respectable realm—e.g. T-shirt and jeans friendly, shorts a no-go—there are several nuances that differentiate a tech start-up from a “laid back” major corporation. Your first step to nailing what to wear is knowing what most employees dress like on a day-to-day basis. Through the company website, careers page, job hosting services and (if you know any) current employees, assess the average dress code—then, aim one degree higher. If sneakers are the norm, consider wearing loafers. If a button up shirt and trousers is de rigeur, add an unstructured blazer for some extra gravitas. If anyone wears a blazer regularly, a suit is mandatory.

Regardless of the corporate culture, you should let your prospective employer know you not only respect the workplace, but are a serious candidate. By matching the cadence of other employees, but ever so slightly upping the ante, you make clear that while you’re in line with your future co-workers, you still take the interview process seriously.

Once you have properly judged the relative formality of your prospective employer, you can actually go about getting dressed. While workplaces vary drastically and today there are few hard and fast rules about office attire, you’re best off sticking to the following.

Wear Clean Clothes

While this should go unsaid, we can’t stress it enough. Make sure your clothes are not just clean, but spotless. Iron everything, even dry clean if need be. Nothing is worse than an interviewer not listening to a word you say over the course of 30 minutes because they couldn’t stop staring at a mustard stain on your shirt collar. Smell, matters too—it actually sets the tone for conversations. Lastly, no matter how nice you’re vintage Undercover distressed t-shirt is, do not wear anything with visible holes. As unfortunate as it may be, you may be judged for it.

Keep It Simple

The key to any interview outfit is looking respectable, comfortable, but above all professional. While those applying for a position as Rick Owens’ personal assistant should by all means go full throttle, for the rest of is this is the time for restraint. More often than not, a button-up shirt, trousers and a pair of loafers or dress shoes will suffice. While brands don’t necessarily matter in most cases, consider sticking with the classics—Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew. If you have a designer button up you love that feels appropriate without being overly ostentatious, feel free to wear it. As for trousers, either slim or straight leg will work, however those who prefer the more trendy wide-leg iterations be warned that you will most assuredly turn some heads. For shoes, stick to a great pair of loafers, Gucci or otherwise.

The point here is to show you can put together an outfit without screaming “I’m a Fashion guy”—unless, of course, that’s what you’re applying to do. Feel free to dress however you please once you actually land the job, but this is not the day to flex your rarest sneakers.

Of course, for those of you with serious Wolf of Wall Street ambitions, a suit is mandatory. While there are notoriously strict rules surrounding banking dress code in general, the simplest rules are wear light colors and don’t show up in a suit that your potential salary can’t yet afford.

Don’t Go Overboard

A common mistake in interviews in general is simply doing too much. Speaking too quickly, trying to address too many topics and, yes, going overboard with your outfit. Whether it’s a 30 person business or international conglomerate, the concept is the same: less is more. Don’t over accessorize or dress too loudly. For those with more laid back interviews where trousers and t-shirts are acceptable, consider a plain black or white shirt rather than your favorite obscure Japanese graphic tee. While conversation starters are great, the interview should be about you, not what you’re wearing. Likewise if a suit is required, a 3-piece or double breast—while classy—may be more trouble than it’s worth. Avoid patent leather shoes or garish jewlery. While you’re absolutely encouraged to be yourself, perhaps consider leaving your Chrome Hearts chains at home.

What to Wear for a Casual Job Interview

If you know for certain your prospective employer maintains a casual dress code—as in, it literally states as much on its website or a recruiter told you so—then feel free to keep things casual. That said—as mentioned above, put together an outfit that mimics corporate culture while leaning a tad bit nicer. Consider some slim-straight trousers in black or khaki, a plain black or white fitted tee, and a minimal sneaker or loafer. It’s an outfit the shows you are present, put together yet still focused on the task (in this case, interview) at hand.

What to Wear for a Professional Job Interview

In a more professional work environment, where button ups and trousers are the norm, adding a blazer is key. While a full suit could work, overshooting the formality of the interview can make you at best look over eager and at worst ill-prepared (or even desperate). Consider a loose unstructured blazer over a button-up shirt or polo paired with trousers and simple oxfords. If you’re seriously itching to wear a suit, wear it over a polo or tucked-in t-shirt to minimize the formality while still looking professional.

What to Wear for a Formal Job Interview

When a suit is mandatory, one golden rule applies: never wear black. While black shoes and belt are totally acceptable, a black suit is for dinner parties, weddings, or funerals—and immediately conveys you do not know how to dress appropriately for business functions. Aim for blues, grays and tans, with light colored shirts to match. While already mentioned, it’s worth reiterating: no double breasted or three-piece suits. At least, not yet. Once you land the role feel free to be the “most stylish guy in the office.” Until then, your attire should be humble, respectable with the slightest hint of panache. Anything else is simply overreaching. If you’re not locked into a finance chokehold, a more modern, fashion-forward suit will work just fine. As long as shoes match your belt and tie is not overtly gauche, you should be good to go.