Dress like the job, not like an interview for a different role
The single most useful mental shortcut for a cabin crew open day or assessment day: dress as close to the actual on-duty uniform look as you reasonably can, not as you would for a generic corporate interview. Airlines are assessing whether they can picture you in role today, and a candidate who shows up looking closer to "already cabin crew" reads as more prepared and more serious about the role.
You are being assessed from the moment you're visible in the venue — not just once you're called in — so the outfit needs to hold up through hours of waiting, a reach test, and a group exercise, not just look good in a mirror at home.
What to wear — for women
- Fitted pencil skirt (knee-length or just below) or smart, tailored trousers in a neutral colour (black, navy)
- Formal blouse or shirt, plain or with a small classic pattern, in a neutral or muted colour — avoid busy prints or casual fabrics
- Closed-toe heels, 3–5 cm, in nude, black, or navy — comfortable enough that you can stand and move for several hours
- Neutral or sheer hosiery, if the outfit calls for it
- Hair in a neat bun or chignon (see the hair and bun standards guide for technique)
- Professional makeup (see the makeup guidelines guide)
- Minimal jewellery — simple stud earrings, a thin necklace or none
What to wear — for men
- Dark, well-fitted suit, or a smart shirt and trouser combination if a full suit isn't required
- Plain, pressed shirt — white or a light neutral colour
- Tie, if wearing a suit — simple, non-novelty pattern
- Polished formal shoes with dark socks
- Hair neatly styled off the face
- Clean-shaven or very neatly trimmed facial hair, per the specific airline's stated policy
What to avoid, regardless of gender
- Casual fabrics: denim, jersey, activewear
- Bright, busy, or novelty prints
- Open-toe shoes, sandals, or flats for the formal stages
- Strong perfume or cologne — you'll be in close proximity to dozens of other candidates for hours
- Anything you haven't worn and moved around in before. The open day is not the day to break in new heels or a new blazer.
- Visible tattoos, piercings, or grooming that doesn't match the airline's standard — see the tattoo policy guide and piercings guide if either applies to you.
What to bring
- Multiple printed copies of your CV, even if you applied online
- Original identification and any documents the invitation specifies (passport, education certificates)
- A small grooming touch-up kit: hairspray, extra pins, lip colour, a nail file
- Comfortable flat shoes to change into while waiting, switching back to heels shortly before you're called
- A bottle of water and a light snack — open days often run 3–6 hours with limited breaks
Budget-friendly ways to build the outfit
You do not need designer pieces to meet this standard. A few practical options:
- Borrow before you buy — a well-fitting blazer or pencil skirt from a friend or family member who's a similar size covers the first assessment while you decide if this is a long-term path.
- Buy versatile, neutral basics you'll reuse for future interviews (this stage) and — if hired — for other formal occasions, rather than a single-use outfit.
- Prioritise fit over price. A cheaper item that's tailored to fit properly reads as more polished than an expensive item that doesn't sit right.
- Test the full outfit, including shoes, in advance — walk in it, sit in it, raise your arm overhead in it (for the reach test), for at least one full hour before the actual day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear trousers instead of a skirt to a cabin crew open day? Yes — smart, well-tailored trousers in a neutral colour are widely accepted alongside a pencil skirt. Choose whichever you feel most confident and comfortable moving in for several hours.
Do I need to buy a full uniform-style outfit for an open day? No — you need a smart, professional outfit in the same spirit as the uniform (neutral, fitted, formal), not a literal copy of any airline's uniform. Buying or wearing branded/uniform-like items is unnecessary and can look presumptuous.
What shoes should I wear to a cabin crew open day? Closed-toe heels (3–5 cm) for the formal stages, ideally ones you've already worn and walked in comfortably. Many candidates bring flats to change into while waiting and switch back to heels before being called.
Is it okay to wear the same outfit to multiple airlines' open days? Yes — one well-fitting, neutral professional outfit works across airlines, since the underlying standard (neat, formal, uniform-appropriate) is broadly consistent industry-wide.