I swear if I see one more photo of a private investigator wearing a trench coat and a fancy hat. If you see a private investigator in one of those outfits I will go out on a limb and tell you not to hire that individual.  Private investigators don’t wear the type of clothing that is always portrayed in photos and pictures. It just doesn’t happen.  So what does a private investigator wear?  We will get into that.

This article will share what private investigators typically wear for different types of assignments and the reasons why.  So whether you are trying to figure out what you buy or you are a private investigator trying to figure out if you are dressed appropriately, this article should clear things up for you.

What does a Private Investigator Wear?

Private investigators don’t have a standard uniform or outfit that works for every situation as you can imagine. Let me share what is typical for private investigators to wear for different types of assignments or situations. 

What Does a Private Investigator Wear on Surveillance Assignments?

Private investigators are all over the board when it comes to surveillance assignments. I have seen investigators dress business casual for assignments and I have seen investigators wearing tank tops and shorts.

For surveillance assignments, you really want to be prepared for anything if possible.  I would recommend that you bring different types of clothes with you that will be to your benefit for different situations, but which I will mention in a bit.

As for what investigators wear daily, investigators can wear casual clothes that are comfortable for whatever climate they are working in.  We are in our vehicles for extended periods of time in different climates and conditions and we need to be comfortable.  

I would recommend wearing a dark-colored shirt without pictures are noticeable markings on it.  The reason for this is you don’t want a person you are following to identify something you are wearing that is memorable or that stands out.

Additional Clothes for Surveillance

No matter what you decide to wear on surveillance assignments, you should always carry some additional clothes with you for various reasons.  Here are just a few:

Change Your Appearance on Surveillance Assignments

There will be some occasions when you will want to change your appearance.  A situational example might be that you might have obtained covert video of someone in one particular store and then the person leaves and travels to a different store. This would be a good time to switch clothes to avoid being recognized.  This also might make you feel better about entering the store if you know that your appearance has changed.  I know my brain can talk me out of things sometimes and this is one of those things that I do so I feel more comfortable in those situations.

Have Appropriate Attire for Specific Situations

You will always find yourself in a variety of situations and locations as a private investigator.  It can be helpful to have certain types of clothes for certain situations not only to fit in but for you to feel confident about your appearance when conducting surveillance on foot.

Sometimes not having the proper attire will prevent you from entering certain locations.  Here are some examples:

Surveillance in a Gym

If someone goes to the gym you will need to have the proper clothing to enter the gym.  How do I know this? This has happened to me in the past. Most gyms require that in order to work out in their gym that you have workout-type clothing.  They won’t let you in with jeans or slacks, so having shorts or athletic wear will be beneficial to you in those situations.

Surveillance in a Restaurant or Night Club

Many locations have dress codes and the only way to enter those establishments is to have the proper attire on hand. A button-up shirt or polo along with having some Khaki pants and some dress shoes on hand will serve you well. 

We are always looking to blend into different situations. We want to avoid standing out unnecessarily.  We want to fit in.

Having Extra Clothes for Overnight Stays

On rare occasions, you may find yourself pursuing someone to a different state or several hours away from where the surveillance began.  Sometimes this will require an overnight stay somewhere. In those instances, it is a good idea to have a change of clothes so that you can feel clean and refreshed for the surveillance day that will follow.

Having Warm Clothing

I still remember conducting surveillance in the winter in an area where it was below freezing temperatures.  Unexpectedly my heater stopped working in my vehicle so I didn’t have the proper clothing or equipment for a situation like that.  I ended up making it through the day but it was miserable. I had to purchase everything I needed to get through the following surveillance day from Walmart.   I purchased an electric blanket, gloves, and a beanie just to stay warm.

So if you are working in cold weather, don’t depend on being in your vehicle the entire time.  Have extra warm clothes in case something fails in your vehicle or you find yourself on foot away from your vehicle.

Private Investigator Clothing for Field Work and Interviewing

Fieldwork for a private investigator can vary drastically.  We might be in the woods hiking to a location to take photos or we could be going door to door in a neighborhood talking with people.

In each situation, we want to make sure we are dressed appropriately and realistically for each situation or scenario.  

For those moments where you are getting dirty, wearing a suit or even being business casual clothes might not be realistic and certainly won’t be comfortable.  Jeans and comfortable shoes with a polo might be appropriate.  You will have to decide if it is the right choice for the given situation. 

What Does a Private Investigator Wear for Interviews

Every situation and setting can be different for private investigators when it comes to interviewing.  My interviewing experience primarily relates to insurance-related claims and my interviews have taken place in a variety of locations.  

I have interviewed people while sitting on a curb in the parking lot of an apartment complex, in my vehicle, sitting on the back of a claimant’s tailgate, and while standing at their front door just to name a few locations and situations.

In all of those situations and locations, I dressed in business casual attire which would typically consist of khaki or dress pants, with a button-up shirt or a dress polo shirt with dress shoes.

 It wasn’t necessary to come to those assignments in a suit as I would have been overdressing for the situation and likely appear intimidating. Intimidation is not the look I am going for when interviewing people. I want to be inviting, professional and non-threatening to the people I talk to.  I want their defenses down so I can get as much information as possible from the individual. 

What Should a Private Investigator Wear to Court Appearances

Appearance can always have an impact on the way you are perceived in life.  I think that can be true with going to court as well. You always want to dress as nice as possible when making an appearance in court especially when you know you will be testifying.  

Personally, I never wore a suit to court when testifying but I have always worn a button-up shirt, dress pants, dress shoes, and a tie on some occasions.

I have seen women wear professional skirts, blouses, and dress pants for court appearances.

What Not to Wear as a Private Investigator

There are some things I personally believe should be avoided as a private investigator unless they serve an investigative purpose.

Everything in this section I am going to suggest you not wear on the job comes from a good place.  A place of love if you will. I don’t want your outward appearance to detract from what you are capable of as a private investigator.

Fedora

Some people wear this type of hat every day and it relates to style or a personal preference in hats.  Personally, I really love these types of hats. These hats can also be very stereotypical as it relates to the private investigation industry.  Maybe steer clear from these hats while working.

Trench Coat

The trench coat in combination with the fedora is what private investigators have been televised wearing up until Magnum P.I. changed that impression.  Maybe someone changed the stereotype before that, but I don’t know for sure. Make sure it is functional and has a purpose (like protecting your from the elements) while wearing one of these on the job.

Hawaiian Shirt

I didn’t plan on mentioning this but just in case you feel as though a Hawaiian shirt is appropriate to wear while working as a private investigator, it most cases it is not.  Unless it is Hawaiian shirt day it might be best to leave this shirt at home.

Tactical Cargo Pants

I have heard stories of private investigators wearing these types of pants for surveillance assignments and other investigative assignments where the pants don’t really serve a purpose. This type of clothing stands out more times than not, so for surveillance assignments, we can leave these pants at home as well.  These pants would not be appropriate for interviews or fieldwork.

Camouflage Clothing (shirt and pants)

You are probably thinking I am wrong about this one.  

This type of clothing is appropriate I am sure for specific types of surveillance assignments.  I myself have never used this type of clothing for surveillance but I am sure there is someone reading this that has.  

With that being said, this isn’t’ something you should be wearing daily to your surveillance assignments.  This is something you should have in your vehicle for those rare occasions when it is required.

Blending in is the key word during surveillance. You want to look as unassuming as possible while in the field.

Final Thoughts on Private Investigator Clothing

Clothing plays an important role for a private investigator for either being undetected, fitting, being comfortable, or just looking professional.  

I am of the mindset that you should be prepared for various situations as a private investigator because you just never know where a work day might lead you.

I would recommend having a bag in your vehicle with some extra clothes that can adapt to the different situations that were discussed.

It is my hope that you find this helpful.  Take care.

Andrew