Dressing for the office may be an area of frustration for you, especially if you are newly entering the formal work force. If your company does not have a strict dress code, there are a few basic guidelines you should follow when dressing for the office. Your outfit makes a non-verbal statement about you. You want to make sure that coworkers and clients are getting the statement you want to make.
Clothes
Depending on the overall environment of your office, there might be some leeway in what you can wear to work. When deciding what to wear, think of it this way: it is better to be overdressed and professional looking than underdressed. If you are stumped on what to wear, look to your boss. The old-fashioned advice still holds true: “dress for the job you want, not the job you have”.
For most offices, a long-sleeve button-down shirt with slacks and a tie is appropriate. If your office is more formal, a business suit with matching trousers and jacket may be a better fit.
Tie
While you have some flexibility in which tie you wear, there are still some basic rules to follow. Avoid ties with cartoon characters, funny sayings or goofy pictures. While these ties may have elicited a giggle out of you, they are generally not appropriate for the work place. Choose a solid color or patterned tie that complements the color of your outfit. The point of your tie should reach your belt buckle, but not hang below it.
Shoes and Belt
Basic black or brown dress shoes are best for a day at the office. Shoes should be scuff-free, polished and clean. Whatever you do, do not wear tennis shoes. While there is an ongoing debate about whether socks should match your pants or your shoes, the general consensus is to match your socks with your trousers.
On the other hand, your belt should match your shoes. If you choose a brown belt, make sure you wear brown shoes that day.
Accessories
Although men don’t have too many choices when it comes to accessories, they are still something to consider when dressing for work. Choose a simple watch with a leather or silver band, rather than anything too flashy or trendy.
If you carry a briefcase or a laptop case, make sure it is in good shape. Leather cases should be smooth without any cracks. Cloth cases should be kept clean and free of any major blemishes.
Facial Hair
While facial hair may not technically be a part of your outfit, it plays a major role in the statement in which you are giving others. A clean shave is always appropriate for the work place. A well-groomed beard is also considered appropriate for the work place, as long as you keep your facial hair even and trimmed. The unkempt look is not appropriate.
While many women say they are fans of the 5 o’clock shadow look, try to avoid this at work. It makes the statement that you didn’t get enough sleep or that you were simply too lazy to shave that morning.
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