For generations, buying a conservative suit for job interviews was a rite of passage. But times have changed, even if your wardrobe hasn't.

Yahoo! HotJobs teamed with Banana Republic to conduct a survey about workplace fashion, and found that more than 25 percent of the 900 human resource recruiters, representing all 50 states, said wearing a business suit to an interview at their company could be too formal.

"What we found is that there's a new generation of companies that understand that comfort equals productivity. They're fostering a casual environment to generate great business results," says Susan Vobejda, HotJobs' career expert and vice president of marketing.

That doesn't mean the interview outfit should be an afterthought. Sixty percent of the recruiters suggested that candidates spend at least 30 minutes choosing their clothes for the interview. Hitting the balance between professional and casual takes effort, Vobejda says. "One thing to understand is that casual doesn't equal sloppy. You want to avoid sloppy or sexy at all costs."

If you're unsure about the dress code of a company, ask your human-resources contact before you head in for the interview, Vobejda advises.