You want your work to speak for you, but the visual cues you give are just as important as the judgments that are made about you. Human resources managers give great advice: dress for the job you want to have, not what you already have.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing Work Wear
Step 1. Research the company before making an appointment or interview
While there are usually some styles of dress that are generally okay, it might be helpful to ask an employee or take a walk to the central office to figure out whether formal or informal work attire is expected of you.
In addition, by doing this you could also understand if the employees dress in light, dark colors or if they are very elegant
Step 2. In the uncertainty, dress formal
If you can't figure out what your company or client prefers, wear an elegant suit, refined shoes, and classic accessories. It is better to dress too elegantly than the other way around; try to dress formal and clean!
Experts say dressing at a level is always one step higher than what is required. Trying to dress at a level many steps higher than what is required could be counterproductive, but dressing the way your boss dresses could work in your favor
Step 3. Find out what clothing is required
Once you have a job, always respect the dress code. The business normally requires some type of clothing: casual, formal or somewhere in between.
Step 4. Wait until your clothes are dressed informally before doing it yourself
For women, wear stockings until it is obvious that you can also stand bare-legged - look at your clothes! If you work with people much older than you, it may seem unprofessional.
Step 5. Wear clothes that don't fit too tight or too loose
If they are too tight, it may seem inappropriate. If they are too loose, it may appear that you have borrowed them or that they have been used too much.
- Next time you go shopping for clothes, measure your hips, waist, chest and crotch first to have a better chance of finding tailored clothes.
- Take loose-fitting clothes to a tailor. Some tailors will be able to fix them and make them look like new.
Step 6. Spend some money on looking after your appearance and not just your clothes
Cut your hair every six weeks at the latest. Men will need to have a shaved beard or a well-trimmed beard, and the same goes for mustaches.
- If you can't pay for a manicure, cut your nails at home. Too long nails could attract attention negatively.
- Try to keep your hair color. If you want to color them, choose a natural color or small streaks.
Step 7. Try to avoid drawing too much attention with your clothes
This means: avoid flip flops, miniskirts, shorts, tank tops, jeans and sweatshirts.
Step 8. Wear skirts that reach the knee or beyond
Thanks to fashions such as straight skirts or ankle-length skirts, there are many options to choose from for a woman with the aim of being feminine but professional at the same time.
Step 9. Cover tattoos and any other type of body art
Put some shims in the piercings as you work. Some people are prejudiced against body art, so it's best to avoid showing it at work.
Part 2 of 2: Dressing for a Promotion
Step 1. Invest in quality accessories
People link money to success, so wearing an expensive scarf, belt, watch, or coat might make your boss think you're well off.
Step 2. Don't wear too much jewelry, unless you work in fashion
If you have a low-paying job and you wear a lot of jewelry, your boss may think that you are not very smart about using money or that you have no feet on the ground.
Step 3. Wear clean, well-ironed clothes
If you don't have the time or ability to iron your pants and shirts, have them ironed in a laundry. You will pay back the expenses with your promotion!
The same is true for informal work environments. Pants and dresses should never appear wrinkled
Step 4. Change your shoes if they are no longer shiny
If they are your favorite shoes, order an identical pair or take them to a cobbler to change the sole and improve the finish.
Step 5. Dress well for dinners, meetings and work parties
Choose your outfit the night before, if you know it takes a while to decide.
Step 6. Invest in lots of white T-shirts and black, navy, gray and tan pants - the same goes for one-piece suits
Older people tend to dress more conservatively, so use colors in your accessories more than clothes.
Step 7. If the situation calls for it, then use colors
If the company seems to like people who know how to dress casually, try lighter colors and some trendy clothes. If you're planning a company party and you want to be noticed by your boss, use an unusual, if still cautious, color for your suit or tie.
