After reading that second sentence you are probably wondering, "Where is she going with this?" Well, this blog is going to talk about dressing professionally no matter the weather. Wherever you work there is likely to be a "dress code." It might not be formal, written down or even enforced, but there is always that silly dress code that you must abide by. For example, think about your classes at college; you all dress alike. Jeans, sweatshirts, sandals, boots, button downs, khakis, and overall a casual look. I bet you can find the same pattern for college professors, college staff and various other career professionals.
So, there are two main kinds of dress in the business world: business professional and business casual.
Business professional incorporates more formal attire. For men this will include suits. Keep them classy - no baby blues or pinks! Think solid colors, and pinstripes. I suggest staying with navy, charcoal, gray and black. As far as ties go, make sure they match your suit and shirt. Red, navy, striped and patterned ties will look great. Make sure your socks match your outfit. You would be surprised how many people notice this! As for you shoes you should have a pair of dark slip on or lace up shoes that are appropriate. Keep in mind when laying out your outfit that your belt should match your tie. A sport coat with trousers would also be appropriate for a business professional look. Males should take it easy on the cologne. Smelling up an interviewer’s office will leave a bad impression.
For ladies, business professional will be suits in dark colors as well. Women can also wear a contrasting jacket and skirt, or a two-piece dress. Always have a few white or cream colored blouses to wear. They match anything in your closet! A scarf can spice up your outfit, as well as bring hidden colors out. Have dark colored high heels that are appropriate to wear to the office. They should be close toed, and not too high. Shoes that are over 4 inches are not appropriate for the office. Also, it is extremely important to wear neutral or taupe hosiery. In business professional settings it is considered very inappropriate for women to not be wearing stockings. Simple jewelry – earrings and a necklace is okay as long as it’s not too flashy. Don’t forget to take it easy on the perfume. Just a few sprits – don’t overdo it.
Now, most people that are business professional have dress down days. It can be once-a-month or sometimes weekly. Just make sure you have a handle of when the days are and what is appropriate. If you are new to workplace try and be a little dressy until you get the hang of what people are wearing. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed in any situation.
For the ladies, business casual includes skirts and slacks, neatly pressed khakis and corduroys. Cotton shirts are appropriate in solids, and prints. Make sure the color isn’t too bright. Women can also wear sweaters as long as they are not too tight or reveal too much. And finally, low-heeled shoes and flats are appropriate on your feet. The most important thing for ladies in the workplace is to make sure they don’t reveal too much.
Even when the warm weather starts coming, try and abide by these basic rules. It will keep your employer happy, and it will keep you professional; business or casual.
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