Published:
10/12/2012 05:30pm
Business Clothing - Basic Rules, Part 1
Do you ever wonder where all the rules of dressing for business and professional activities have gone? Depending on when and where you are on any given business day, the words "distant past" might come to mind.
It's difficult to decide if people just don't know what to wear to work, or for their entrepreneurial and professional pursuits, or if they have lost sight of the relevance and importance of their visual appearance to their level of professional success.
The Queen of England is reported to have told Prince Charles, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot." Clearly, she was saying what many people remain reluctant to recognize; that people judge us by the way we dress - that first component of our Total Image, the Visual impression.
In all situations, business and social, our external visual image sends a message.
Try going to a busy restaurant at lunchtime. Look around you at what people are wearing and see if you don't make judgments about who they are, their line of business, their personalities and their competencies. Think about how you feel when you are dressed in your usual business attire as opposed to casual dress. Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility.
It is important to understand how to dress for business if you intend to represent yourself and your organization or business in a positive manner.
How you dress can be affected by four major factors:
1. The industry in which you work,
2. The job you have within that industry,
3. The geographic area in which you live;
4. And most importantly, what your clients (current and potential) expect to see.
Professional Dress for Men
In men's clothing, fashion does not change significantly from season to season but business attire is about being polished and professional and not necessarily about being "fashionable". It's about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients feel comfortable and confident with you. Dressing for success is still the rule. The professional businessman should keep in mind these important points when deciding what to wear to work.
Choose a conservative, well-fitted suit in navy, black or gray (for those with "cool" or blue-based coloring), or in dark brown, warm navy, or khaki (for those with "warm" or yellow-based coloring); either a narrow pinstripe, a subtle plaid, or in a solid material. The quality of the material speaks as loudly as the color and can make the difference between sleaze and suave - since men's fashions do not change as often, plan to invest a little more in your suit and let your shirts and accessories vary with personality and fashion trends.
A solid white or blue dress shirt with long sleeves offers the most polished look. The more pattern and color you add, the more the focus is on your clothing, rather than your professionalism.
Ties should be made of silk or a silk-like fabric. Avoid the cartoon characters, musical ties, and those with lights and movement - go for simple and subtle if you want to enhance your credibility and keep you and your expertise the focus instead of your clothing.
Socks should be calf-length or above. Make sure they match not only what you are wearing, but also each other. A quick glance in good light before heading out the door can save embarrassment later in the day. Check for holes as well if you'll be going through airport security and removing your shoes.
Taller men (or those with longer legs) should be especially careful of purchasing socks that are functionally long enough. Pulling your socks up throughout the day (or appearing at a meeting with your socks bunched around your ankles) is not good for your overall image or for making a polished and professional impression.
Shoes should without question be conservative, clean and well polished. Lace-up shoes are the choice over slip-ons, and definitely avoid flip flops unless you are at the beach. Don't think for a minute that people d
