I think the correct path here has not really changed in the past 20+ years: find out how they dress for a typical work day and then go one step more dressy. So if it's a jeans and t-shirt shop, go khakis and collared shirt; if it's business casual a jacket and tie is fine.
It's not so much about what you are wearing as it is about "fitting in with our culture". At least this is a bias that you can usually mitigate (if you want to)
My own policy is to ask the person who arranged the interview what I should wear. In the absence of specific requirements, I'll dress reasonably nicely (long sleeve collared shirt, etc, no tie -- a level or so up from what I normally wear to work). I'll wear a suit and tie if and only if I'm specifically asked to.
(That's for in-person interviews. Remember those?)
I was told the same thing as a consultant on Wall St. back in the 80s: Dress 1 level 'better' then the employees. I was told it makes the client feel like they are getting value for the money....
>It's not so much about what you are wearing as it is about "fitting in with our culture".
Absolutely. Fairly or not, if you show up at a shorts and T-shirts company dressed in a suit, there will definitely be people who will dismiss you for that reason--especially if your experience or age might make them a bit suspicious in the first place. Personally, I probably wouldn't dress down below business casual unless someone specifically told me to. (And that would be a bit of a red flag if that were seen as such a big deal.)
It's not so much about what you are wearing as it is about "fitting in with our culture". At least this is a bias that you can usually mitigate (if you want to)