Dress For Success
Change is central to the modern business environment. As new roles are created and
adapted to reflect evolving trends, old rules get left behind in favor of new standards
that can often seem confusing or undefined. Dress-down Fridays, Business Casual,
the growing list of clothing options blurs the line between acceptable and
unacceptable dress. However, for all the confusion, there remain several key, guiding
principals central to an appropriate work wardrobe.
Begin by recognizing that no one style is appropriate in every instance. For example,
it is acceptable, even necessary to wear a business suit, blouse or dress shirt, ties if
you are a man, hose if you are a women and professional shoes in a professional
environment or to an interview. However, those same items would seem out of place
on the floor of a warehouse where jeans, a plain T-shirt and tennis shoes or boots are
more appropriate.
Similarly, in a business office, you should wear dress slacks or a skirt, a blouse or
dress shirt, ties if you are a man and hose if you are a woman. If on the other hand
you are in a casual environment, slacks or a skirt, a shirt with a collar even a sweater
would be nice. In both cases, you should leave the tennis shoes for the gym.
In any work environment, clothing must be clean, pressed, and free of holes. Hair and
fingernails should be clean and neat.
Jewelry must be minimal. If you are uncertain about where to draw the line, adapt the
rule of 12 which says that you should never have more than 12 separate articles of
clothing visible. This includes shoes, socks, watches, belts, tops, jackets, pants,
skirts or any other accessory or item of clothing.
Men should not wear earrings in the work place. Sleeveless shirts, open-toed shoes,
mini skirts, hats, T-shirts and slogans or pictures, and evening wear are never
appropriate in a work environment.
People are often judged by the clothes they wear. The image you project should
always be professional and appropriate to your job. Make your first impressions
count. If you are ever uncertain or have any questions or concerns, contact your
account executive. They are there to help you to be the best you can be in every way
possible.