Mastering Career Outfits in The Sims 4: Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Work Attire

Introduction: Why Change Career Outfits in The Sims 4?

The Sims 4 offers robust customization features, letting players tailor nearly every aspect of their Sims’ lives. However, career outfits-those unique uniforms tied to job roles-are typically locked, limiting your creative control. Many players want their Sims’ professional attire to reflect promotions, personality, or simply their own sense of style. Modifying these outfits isn’t straightforward, but there are reliable, actionable methods to unlock this feature and make your Sims’ workwear as unique as they are.

Understanding Career Outfits: What Makes Them Different?

Career outfits in The Sims 4 are automatically assigned based on your Sim’s job, stage, and sometimes even their promotion level. Unlike everyday or party wear, these uniforms aren’t directly editable in the standard Create-A-Sim (CAS) menu. While this maintains job-specific aesthetics, it can feel restrictive-especially when you want your Sim’s work persona to evolve alongside their career. Fortunately, players have discovered legitimate ways, primarily via cheat codes and mods, to gain access to these locked outfits and update them to match your vision. [4]

Step-by-Step: Changing Career Outfits Using Cheats

The most widely recommended and effective method for changing a Sim’s career outfit is via a built-in cheat code. This method is safe to use on PC, and can also be adapted for console players using the in-game cheat console.

1. Enable Cheats

First, you need to activate cheat mode:

On PC, press
Ctrl + Shift + C
to open the cheat console.
On Mac, use
Command + Shift + C
.
On consoles, press all four shoulder buttons simultaneously.

Once the cheat console appears at the top of the screen, type
testingcheats true
and press Enter. This enables all cheat commands. [4]

2. Enter the Career Outfit Cheat

With cheats enabled, type the following command into the cheat console:

sims.modify_career_outfit_in_cas

Press Enter. Your Sim will immediately be taken into the Create-A-Sim interface, but instead of the usual clothing categories, you will see your Sim in their career outfit. Here, you can swap out every aspect of their work attire-tops, bottoms, shoes, accessories, and even makeup. [2] [4]

3. Customize and Save

Edit the work outfit as you would any other clothing category. When finished, click the checkmark to save. Your Sim will now wear this new outfit the next time they go to work. The change is persistent, meaning it remains until you repeat the cheat to alter it again. This approach is effective regardless of your Sim’s current job, and works for both base game and expansion careers. [3]

Potential Challenges and Solutions

Some career outfits include clothing pieces or accessories that are not available in the regular CAS catalog. If you remove these items during customization, you may be unable to replace them unless you use the undo button before exiting CAS. Additionally, certain jobs may have outfits that are not editable due to game limitations. If this occurs, consider alternative approaches (see below). [1]

Alternative Methods: Using Mods to Change Career Outfits

For players seeking more granular control or additional outfit slots, mods offer extended functionality. One of the most popular mods is the “Plan Career Outfit” mod, which adds a dedicated option to change workwear directly from a dresser or mirror in Build/Buy mode.

To use a mod:

Download a reputable mod from a trusted Sims 4 modding community (such as ModTheSims or The Sims Resource). Always check for compatibility with your current game version and read user reviews for reliability.
Install the mod following the creator’s instructions. This typically involves placing the mod file in your game’s Mods folder and enabling script mods in the game settings.
Restart the game. In live mode, click on a dresser or mirror, select “Plan Career Outfit,” and edit your Sim’s workwear as desired.

Note: Mods may not work for jobs that do not have a specific uniform or for Sims who are not in the teen or older lifestages. Always back up your game before installing new content. [2]

Examples and Practical Scenarios

Suppose your Sim is a Scientist and the default lab coat doesn’t fit your story. Using the cheat method above, you can swap the coat for a different jacket, add glasses, or introduce bold accessories. Perhaps your Sim gets promoted, and you want their outfit to reflect their newfound authority-add a tie or more formal shoes for a professional lift. The same approach allows you to remove quirky accessories that don’t fit your narrative, such as a clown nose from the Entertainer career. Customization is limited only by the available clothing in your game and the restrictions of the career outfit slot. [3]

Alternative Approaches for Console Players

Console versions of The Sims 4 support cheat codes, but the process for entering them differs. Open the cheat console using all four shoulder buttons, then follow the same instructions as on PC. Not all mods are available for consoles, so using the official cheat is the most reliable method. [4]

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Sim’s career outfit affect their job performance?
The appearance of your Sim’s work attire is cosmetic only and does not impact job performance, salary, promotion, or skills.

Can I change multiple Sims’ career outfits at once?
Each Sim must be edited individually. Use the cheat for each household member whose outfit you wish to change. [1]

Is this allowed in official gameplay?
Using cheats is a standard part of The Sims 4 experience for many players and is not considered a violation of game rules. However, achievements may be disabled if cheats are active.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

Always save your game before editing career outfits, especially if using mods or cheats. If you encounter glitches (such as outfit pieces not displaying correctly), exit to the main menu and reload. For best results, consult official Sims 4 forums or trusted tutorial sites for the latest updates and community-tested advice on mod compatibility and troubleshooting. [1]

Summary: Your Sim, Your Career Style

Changing career outfits in The Sims 4 is entirely possible with the right steps. Whether you use the built-in cheat code or opt for a mod, you can give your Sim the professional edge or creative flair that best matches your vision. Always use reputable sources and back up your game before making changes. With these methods, your Sims can pursue their dream jobs in style-no more generic uniforms holding back their unique look.