What to Wear to Work

Dress Speak

Professionalism Level of sophistication Intelligence Credibility

Polished and Professional Looks

Color plays a big part in professional image o Traditional career colors: Red (aggressive), navy (trustworthy), gray (conservative), and black (chic) o These color works well in pantsuits, skirts and shoes and mix back with softer feminine colors that are appropriate like ice blue, lilac, soft pink and ivory o Loud colors like hot pink and wild prints are much riskier in some office, but may be creative types might be OK Jewelry that jangles is distracting. (chandelier earrings, stacks of bangles). Slouchy handbags look sloppy. Choose structured styles that project an organized image Details constitutes a polished image: manicured nails, run-free hose, scuff-free shoes, neat hair, light perfume Fit is everything. o Pants should be fitted, but free of visible panty lines o Shirts, esp. straight styles like pencil skirts, should be loose enough to sit down in comfortably. o Jackets should be able to buttoned o Blouses shouldn’t gap between buttonholes Designer labels are great, but better not too heavily logos

Dress like Your (Female) Boss

Some organizations encourage employees to dress as well or better than their customers.

What to avoid in the workplace:

Too sexy: see-through lace, miniskirts, sheer sundresses, sandals Too casual: jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats, sneakers Too sloppy: wrinkled clothing, too many layers, baggy-fit clothing

Business Dress Codes:

Formal Business Attire—suit dressing is the key. o Most formal style. Straight lines, darker colors, firm fabrics o Closed-toe shoes; hose and conservative hair; jewelry and makeup are expected. o Authority, confidence, capability, and stability o Front office and top level meetings or presentations

Business Casual—Jacket/ collared shirt dressing are the key o Dressy pants and a blouse, sleek jersey knits and skirts and tops, or shirtdress; jumpers and knit dresses o Influential and dependable, yet more accessible and receptive, as well as helpful and conscientious o Preliminary meetings, presentations, and general sale calls and most back office jobs Casual Friday—Depending on the business, check with the office