Workplace attire has evolved over the years. With the induction of the business casual dress code, there has been much debate over what is appropriate and what is not. An interpretation of what is considered proper office fashion is staggering.
If you have career plans that will take you to the top of the corporate ladder you may be more traditional in dress wear. For the person with less ambition, style and comfort are more of your liking than business suits.
Choosing your work clothing doesn’t have to be a chore. There are plenty of fashion tips to go around. You can create your own look at a reasonable budget.
Purchase a few signature pieces to mix and match, and pair them with great accessories.
For any office position style and professional attire is important. Keep reading for eight fashion tips if you want to take your career to the next level.
1. Classic Pieces for Every Business Wardrobe
Whether you are a man or a woman, there are classic pieces that every business wardrobe should have. These include a sheath dress and a dark colored blazer.
For women, a sheath dress in primary colors can take you into the board room as quickly as slipping on a pair of pumps. Sheath dresses go from casual to business with the proper accessories.
Keep a multi-colored scarf in your desk drawer to dress it up.
For men, a t-shirt, polo, or oxford shirt can be dressed up by a basic navy blue blazer.
2. Office Fashion Tips for Casual Fridays
No matter how casual the business casual dress code is for your place of employment, decorum should always be used. If advancing with the company s what you are aiming for, stay away from being too casual.
It is never cool to wear flip flops to work. It doesn’t matter if it is the $2.99 rubber specials or the expensive designer kind. Use discretion when choosing footwear.
Tattered and torn clothing is another no-no. It may be a popular trend to have rips and tear in your denim jeans or skirts. Save these for your off time, they are not for the workplace even if its casual Friday’s.
3. How You See Yourself
In the business world how you see yourself may not be the same way that others see you. How you dress for work is seen by some as a reflection on who you will be in the positions you apply for.
Learn to dress for the job you want by changing how you see yourself. Self-sabotage is a real thing. Click here to learn more about how our own self-consciousness can work against us.
Believing other people dress a certain way at work will have no bearing on your success is bad thinking. Those individuals may have different career goals than you.
4. Learn Your Body Type
In any setting, it is a good idea to understand your body type. Knowing this could keep you from making a big mistake when it comes to shopping for clothes.
Wearing an outfit that is not designed for your shape can come across as odd and unflattering. In turn, you lose your self-confidence and it will show in for body language.
Going into an interview wearing uncomfortable clothing could ultimately cost you the job.
5. Don’t be a Distraction
The explosion of skin decorations in the workplace has grown over the last decade. This doesn’t mean all employers are comfortable seeing your tattoos and body piercing.
When looking to climb the corporate ladder being conservative in certain businesses may be a good idea. Unless you have facial tattoos and piercings it is easy to conceal them.
Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants is not a hard feat for men but may cause a few inconveniences for women. You’ll need to learn the culture of your company and plan your wardrobe accordingly. It may be worth it to get into a position where you have the power to change the culture.
6. Dress-up a Few Times a Month
Do you work in an environment that is really relaxed but the position you want requires more professional attire? Don’t lose sight of the prize how you dress is critical to your advancement.
A few days out of the month go ahead and dress for the position you want. Don’t be too extreme but show the higher-ups that you are flexible. It can be as simple as wearing a dress shirt and tie instead of a t-shirt or polo.
For women, opt to wear a dress instead of jeans, or pumps over sandals.
7. Pay Attention to Personal Grooming
Regardless of the dress code at work personal grooming is still important. Comb your hair, keep your beard trimmed and iron your clothes.
Wearing wrinkled or stained clothes to work is not a good tip. Designer clothing isn’t as attractive or fashionable if you do not take care of them.
8. Take Hygiene Seriously
Our office fashion tips mean nothing if you have a problem with hygiene. The prettiest dress or the most stylish suit fades behind bad body odor. Whatever you do don’t try to mask it with perfume or cologne.
This may seem like a useless tip but it is a common problem in the workplace. No one wants to be the one to tell a co-worker there is a problem. If you notice people can’t stand to be in your presence you may want to ask why.
Let’s Go Shopping!
We hope our fashion tips have you thinking about the perfect work attire. Creating the perfect wardrobe for work doesn’t have to happen in one day. Gradually build your collection a piece at a time.
Use the opportunity to learn what works for your company and what does not. Get a grasp on how each department deals with dress codes. The legal team may have different standards than the IT crew.
Don’t dress for the job you have…dress for the job you want! If you are looking for more tips check out more articles on professional attire.
