Business Attire

Business Attire: 10 Tips to Perfect Your LookBeing appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in the business and corporate worlds. A polished image is important in business survival and can be an important factor in career advancement. Periodically, it is a good idea to take a look at your business attire and the image you are presenting. Is it the image you want to project?1. No matter what your age your business attire should be as professional as possible. Avoid clothes that are the latest fad and choose a more conservative look.2. Wear clothes that are comfortable, that do not itch, ride up or bind. If your clothes are irritating, having to tug, pull or scratch is not something you will want to do in public. Dress to suit your personality while keeping in mind professional standards. When you feel comfortable you will feel more at ease and will be able to attend to business.3. Your blouse should fit well. Be sure it is the correct size, is not taut and does not gap.4. Keep your hemline conservative, about one to two inches above the knee. This length is not only more attractive but a length that suits most women.5. Keep your business clothes clean and well pressed. If they should get stained have them cleaned immediately.6. Avoid fashion fads in business. Do not wear flashy jewelry or jewelry than makes a clanging noise when you move.7. Pinstripes are a classic business look and look best when the pinstripes are thin and widely spaced. Avoid thick stripes that are close together – this is a trendier look and not appropriate for business.8. When attending business functions keep business cards in your pocket for easy access. This will allow you to present your card easily without having to search through handbags and briefcases. Remove the cards at the end of the day and keep them in a cardholder to ensure they stay in great shape.9. Do not over fill your briefcase or handbag and create a disorganized look. To carry files and business materials invest in a stylish, feminine looking bag.10. If you have an important meeting choose (and try on) the clothes you plan to wear beforehand. Finding that what you intended to wear is not what you expected could make you late or uncomfortable.Business casual attireOn this page:When to dress "business casual"Guidelines for men & womenSpecifics for menSpecifics for womenGrooming tips for men and womenWhen to dress business casualSome career fairs and job fairs— attire should be specified in the promotional materials for each fair. Note that some fairs suggest or require interview attire. Do your research in advance.Most employer information sessions. These are typically evening sessions held the day prior to an employer's first interview day on campus. Information sessions held in a classroom oncampus or conducted as a presentation to a large group don't require you to be quite as strict in your attire as a reception-type event. Some employer information sessions are conducted as receptions on or off campus, perhaps in a hotel facility. In some cases interview attire, orbusiness attire which is more formal than business casual may be called for. This can depend on the industry and the type of employer hosting the event. If you are in doubt, ask the employer before attending.The invitation, flyer or notice says to. A no-brainer!When in doubt, ask the host / sponsor about attire for a function you will be attending. It isnever wrong to politely inquire about appropriate attire.Business casual guidelines for men and womenBusiness casual is crisp, neat, and should look appropriate even for a chance meeting with a CEO.It should not look like cocktail or party or picnic attire. Avoid tight or baggy clothing; business casual is classic rather than trendy.Basics:Khaki pants, neatly pressed, and a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Polo/golf shirts, unwrinkled, are an appropriate choice if you know theenvironment will be quite casual, outdoors or in a very hot location. This may not seem liketerribly exciting attire, but you are not trying to stand out for your cutting edge look, but for your good judgment in a business environment.Shoes / belt:Wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Athletic shoes are inappropriate.Cost / quality:You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. However, do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job for a business casual environment or occasions.Details:Everything should be clean, well pressed, and not show wear. Even the nicest khakis after 100 washings may not be your best choice for a reception. Carefully inspect new clothes for tags, and all clothes for dangling threads, etc. (as with interview attire).Use common sense.If there are six inches of snow on the ground and/or you are rushing to get to an information session between classes and you left home 12 hours earlier, no one will expect you to show uplooking ready for a photo shoot — they'll just be happy you made it. Just avoid wearing your worst gym clothes and jeans. If you show up at an event and realize you're not as well dressed as you should be, make a quick, pleasant apology and make a good impression with yourinterpersonal skills and intelligent questions.Specifics for men's business casualTies:Ties are generally not necessary for business casual, but if you are in doubt, you can wear atie. It never hurts to slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, you pay a compliment to yourhost. You can always wear the tie and discreetly walk by the room where the function is held; if no one else is wearing a tie, you can discreetly remove yours.Shirts:Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved and are appropriate even insummer. Choosing white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes is your safest bet. Polo shirts (tucked in, of course) are acceptable in more casual situations.Socks:Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.Shoes:Leather shoes should be worn. No sandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots.Facial hair:Just as with interviews: Facial hair, if worn, should be well-groomed. Know your industry and how conservative it is; observe men in your industry if you are unsure what's appropriate or areconsidering changing your look.Jewelry:Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removingearrings is safest. For conservative industries, don't wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable.Specifics for women's business casualDon't confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probablyshouldn't wear it in a business environment. Also, most attire worn on televison is not appropriate for business environments. Don't be deluded.Pants / skirts:Women can wear casual pants or skirts. Neither should be tight. Fabrics should be crisp; colors should generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown and khaki are always safe bets. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored; neither extreme of tight orflowing. If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well-dressedwomen in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.Skirt length and slits:Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee might be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit to above the knee. Generally slits in the center back of a skirt — to facilitate walking a stair climbing — are acceptable. Slits to facilitate a view of your legs are not appropriate for business purposes. Slips should not be visible.Shirt / sweaters:In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets are appropriate business casual choices for women. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets andshimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate. Fit should not be tight. Cleavage is not appropriate to business and job search occasions.Jewelry / accessories:Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color. If your industry is creative, youmay have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry.Cosmetics:Keep makeup conservative and natural looking. A little is usually better than none for a polished look. Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color,especially in conservative industries.Shoes:Should be leather or fabric / microfiber. Appropriate colors are black, navy and brown (tocoordinate with your other attire and accessories); white and pastels are not appropriate. For the most conservative look, toes should be covered. Sandals which are neither extremely dressy or extremely casual might be appropriate. Thin straps and high heels are not appropriate. Chunky heels and platforms are not apropriate. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes;hobbling around a job fair in shoes that are pinching your feet does not convey aprofessional image.Hose:Not essential for business casual, but are recommended if your skirt is knee length (rather than calf length) and in more formal environments such as hotels.Purse / bag:If you carry a purse, keep it small and simple, or carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a purse. A structured bag tends to look more professional that something soft orfloppy. Purse/bag color should coordinate with your shoes. A briefcase is certainly not necessary for most business casual events. Leather, microfiber and fine wovens are appropriate. Canvas and straw are not appropriate.Grooming tips for men and womenHair:Should be clean and neat.Shoes:Should be in polished condition. Make sure heels are not worn.Details:No missing buttons, no lint; and don’t forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes.Hands:Clean fingernails.Fit:Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly, neither tight nor baggy.Smell:Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all.No odors on clothes.Don't smell like smoke.Padfolios:Preferred over a bulky briefcase. A small briefcase is also appropriate, but if you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't; you risk looking silly.Bookbags:Appropriate to carry to an information session held on campus (after all, you are a student). For career fairs and job fairs, bookbags are generally checked at the door, and you should carry a padfolio only.Don't carry a bookbag to an event held at a hotel.Business Casual: The New Dress Code by Pat BoerMonster Contributing WriterRelated Articles∙ Casual or Casualty? ∙ Company Culture ∙ What Do I Wear? ∙ Send to a friend ∙ Print∙ Send feedback ∙Discuss this articleThere was a time when every professional knew you wore a suit on the job and for an interview. One Fortune 500 Company in Indianapolis even required prospective employees wear one whenrequesting an application.What your clothes say about you• In an interview your attire plays a supporting role.• Your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your ability to articulate intelligent and well thought out responses to questions are the most important elements.• Appropriate attire supports your image as a person who takes the interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry in which you are trying to become employed. • Be aware that in some industries, customer contact and image presented to the customer is critical. In such industries, your attire will be judged more critically.• Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting, but it should not take center stage.• If you are primarily remembered for your interview attire, this is probably because you made an error in judgment!• Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to.• Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually on the job, dress up for the interview unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer.• Never confuse an interview or business function with a social event. Don't dress for a party or a date.•Not every contact with an employer requires interview attire. For some occasions business casual is appropriate. See business casual for when to wear it and what it is.Times have changed. Now, men go to work dressed casually and women wear pantsuits. Today's question isn't, "Should I wear black or navy?" It's, "What's business casual and what's appropriate for my interview?"In general, business casual means dressing professionally, looking relaxed yet neat and pulled together. Business casual is not a license to be sloppy or dress inappropriately. That means no shorts, low-cut shirts, flip-flops, ratty jeans or T-shirts. It does mean respecting and following your company's dress code. But what if you don't know the company's dress code, what to wear for an interview or even how to dress after a promotion to the executive suite?When in doubt:Ask Human ResourcesGenerally, someone in the HR department participated in planning and adopting the company's dress code. HR may have handouts explaining the policy or can provide guidelines for business casual and what's appropriate to wear on the job at various levels.Develop SavvyRead more about what business dress and business casual mean. There are books on the topic and answers all over the Web. Debra Dzwonczyk, LBJ School placement oordinator at the University of Texas, outlines the differences for men and women.Business dress for women means a suit or tailored dress in conservative colors (black, grayor beige) with low-heeled, closed-toe pumps and conservative jewelry. For men, business dress means a conservative suit, not a sports coat, plus a long-sleeved shirt, tie and leather oxfords or loafers.Business casual means a tie isn't necessary. Khakis with a long-sleeved shirt are popular. For women, it's a dress, skirt and blouse, or slacks and blouse with flat heels allowed.Window ShopGo to the stores to get a sense of the latest styles. Observe what the mannequins wear, particularly, at stores catering to business-casual clients like Nordstrom, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic or J. Crew.Trust Your InstinctsMale or female, reluctant shopper or not, experts say no matter what's appropriate, it needs to fit well and you need to feel comfortable in it. If it doesn't, you need to keep looking. Shop around, try some stuff on, see what looks good to you and feels appropriate and then head to the register. Consult a Personal ShopperWhen all else fails, enlist the help of an expert. Most better clothing stores have personal shoppers or trained salespeople who can advise you. They'll help you choose and plan for a business wardrobe, paying particular attention to what's appropriate in your locale or region of the country. As a free service, this is one resource the fashion-challenged should take advantage of.By learning the company's dress code and using resources either on the Web or through consultants at clothing stores, you'll soon find your own style and what's appropriate for your situation. You may even discover all you need to do is loosen your tie or switch to a sweater set to be dressed appropriately for today's new dress codes.Business Attire Do's & Don'tsLooking the part promises both personal and financial success. Quality garments wear longer, fit better, and therefore, save money in the long run. Above all, if your clothing projects a professional image, others will respond to you in kind. Here are a few suggestions for maintaining the proper image:Men∙Do wear your suit jacket when you conduct business outside your office.Your authority travels with you.∙Do keep hair and nails clean and neat. ∙Do wear appropriate jewelry.∙Do Not overpower your appearance with heavy cologne!∙Do Not wear short-sleeved shirts under suit coats. Showing a clean cuff is amust.∙Do Not wear ankle socks or light colored socks with a dark suit. Women∙Do wear comfortable shoes and hosiery to complement your outfit.∙Do wear natural looking makeup.∙Do wear appropriate jewelry (nobangles or dangly earrings).∙Do keep hair and nails clean and neat.∙Do Not overpower your appearance with heavy perfume!∙Do Not wear elaborate hairstyles.∙Do Not wear jeans or casual slacks.∙Do Not wear trendy fashions with built-in obsolescence.Today’s Business AttireThe Three Levels of Business Attire: Sherry Maysonave has coached executives and corporations in achieving excellence in communication and image for twenty years. Sherry is an accomplished motivational speaker and the most widely quoted expert in the U.S. regarding "empowering business attire", including business casual.In her book, Casual Power, Sherry defines three levels of "business attire", one of which is "business casual". Sherry was the first to break down "casual attire" into different categories and provide a guide to men and women as to which of these are appropriate and empowering in business.Business is a gameAre you familiar with the three levels of business attire that win on today’s playing field? Do you know which levels of "cas ual attire" are appropriate for business?Traditional or Formal Business AttireTraditional business attire includes business suits, dress shirts, and ties for men. It includes business-oriented suits for women, both skirted suits and tailored pantsuits. Leather shoes (closed-toe/closed heel), socks and/or hosiery are also a requirement for any outfit to qualify for traditional business attire.Business formal is a subset of traditional business attire, yet, it has specific requirements just one step down from tuxedos, such as dark tailored suits for men and women. Business formal standards dictate that women wear skirted suits, hosiery, and closed-toe/closed heel pumps. Men should wear white shirts (French cuff styles), cuff links, silk ties, and pocket squares (silk or linen) to fully qualify for business formal attire. If you receive an invitation requesting business formal attire, dress in this standard. This level of dress is often requested for Award dinners, political events, and a variety of dressy evening business occasions that are not black-tie.General Business AttireThe General Business attire category is a mere mini step away from the Traditional Business classification. For men, this category still demands a tie and it’s still worn with a dress shirt. However instead of a suit, this category includes a tail ored sport coat worn with dress trousers.For women, this category can look numerous ways. It includes tailored pantsuits, businesslike dresses, and coordinated dressy separates. When wearing separates, tailored jackets are required.Business CasualWhile ties are usually not required for men, high-level business casual includes suits worn with dressy sport shirts or fine-gauge knits and tailored separates, such as dress trousers, dressy collared sport shirts that do not require a tie, fine knit shirts and sweaters, as well as sport coats. Low-level business casual includes khakis, chinos, and knit golf shirts. To command respect, wear all-leather belts and shoes; sandals and sneakers do meet a true business casual standard.For women, business casual includes pantsuits, tailored separates, such as skirts, slacks, blouses, sweaters, sweater sets, and jackets. A complete accessorized look is encouraged, including closed-toe/closed heel shoes or slingbacks to maximize the businesslike aspect.。