Dressing professionally is vital to success in the office or in an academic setting; showing up unkemptly can compromise your hoped-for hiring or promotion! There are different degrees of formalities for professional clothing, the main styles are listed below.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Determine the Degree of Formality
Step 1. Consider the work environment
It doesn't matter if you are looking for a job, or if you are going to your usual job, you need to make sure you dress appropriately for the work environment. There are working environments that suggest the style of clothing (business casual, or business formal, or black tie), if it is not required it is your job to choose the right clothing for the event. Generally, the style of clothing for the day, called business casual, refers to jobs that do not require extreme formalities in clothing (teachers, employees, etc.), while the formal style is suitable for high-profile jobs (government, management, commercial, etc.).
- The black tie is used in special events, or particularly important ones, and if you have to wear it, it is specified in the invitation to the event.
- You have to dress according to the type of work you do. High-paying jobs result in a greater degree of formalities in clothing.
Step 2. Be aware of the weather conditions
As you change your wardrobe for the seasons, so too does the required work clothing. Try to dress professionally so your style matches the season. There is formal clothing for all seasons. If it is winter you will need more layers to your formal wear, with the addition of scarves. In warmer weather, women can wear skirts, and men can take off their jackets, and wear short-sleeved shirts.
- Remember that casual clothing is different from formal wear, this also applies to the amount of leather that is allowed to be discovered.
- If you decide to shed layers of clothing, try to keep your clothing cool but not vulgar, making sure you discover the right amount of skin.
Step 3. Pay attention to the colors
While there are different choices for each office, to make sure you don't go wrong, choose neutral colors. For each outfit, try to incorporate neutral tones: black, brown, gray, beige or blue. You can also wear more vibrant colors but be careful that they are not too bright. If in doubt, choose neutral or pastel colors.
Step 4. Pay attention to how others dress
If you don't know how to dress casual or formal, take a look in your office or work environment. In general, if you can't identify the right style or talk to someone in your field, search the internet for the type of profile required. Try to copy the clothing that best suits your event or work environment.
Step 5. Finish your look professionally
Remember that the dress is the wrap, but it is absolutely important that the clothing is accompanied by personal hygiene. Make sure you are clean and that you wear clean clothes every day.
Method 2 of 4: Business Casual
Step 1. Look for appropriate shirts
For men and women, business casual typically consists of a clean style, a shirt and a pair of neutral pants. For men, wear short or long-sleeved shirts or polo shirts. For women, silk blouses and knee-length dresses are appropriate.
Step 2. Choose the right pants
For the office, the style is the same for men and women. Wear black, blue, dark green, or brown pants. Avoid different designs of very thin pinstripes or trousers with printed patterns, they can generally look tacky in a professional work environment. A woman can also choose to wear knee-length or ankle-length skirts, which have neutral colors.
- Avoid wearing white skirts or pants.
- Women can choose fairly long and colorful skirts, avoiding too bright colors or pastels. Skirts with floral or geometric motifs are better suited to the context.
Step 3. Select jackets or sweaters
When it gets cold, be sure to wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Men can indulge themselves in cardigans and sweaters, worn over the shirt; women can wear cardigans and sweaters or blazers. If necessary and if you prefer, you can wear a wool scarf, adding warmth to your style.
Step 4. Put on your clothes (for women)
Good casual style includes clothes, as long as they respect the guidelines of the work environment. Remember that for the working environment it is better to keep colors not too bright and respectable lengths, from the knee down. Sober patterns and neutral colors also work very well. Put on a cardigan and you are ready for your day at the office!
Step 5. Choose the right shoes
Professional casual environment includes many styles for choosing shoes. Most offices only require that they be closed shoes, for both men and women. Men should opt for shoes with laces, while women can wear ballet flats or heels, avoiding particular decorations. The important thing is that they are always clean and tidy.
Method 3 of 4: Formal Business
Step 1. Look for the suits
Dressing up for business formal is simpler than business casual. While the first is a pre-packaged style, in casual it is you who decide colors and combinations. Formal business calls for suits, suits, with skirts for women. It is a very chaste and sober style. Men and women use suits, and it is necessary to have more than one suit so that you can change more often.
Step 2. Choose the right shirt or shirt
Remember, the important thing is to match the color of the tie to the shirt and this must result in a harmony of the colors of the suit. Men must make sure that the shirt fits well with the chosen tie, and women can choose skirts of any color, the important thing is that they are not too short or with too original patterns.
Step 3. Choose the tie (for men)
There are many varieties of ties. From color to shape, you can really have fun choosing. Careful to choose the colors and quality of the tie well. Avoid ties that have more than three colors, or that have some printed images. Remember that the tie must harmonize the suit, it is an accessory that must complete your outfit.
Step 4. Put on your clothes (for women)
Clothes are the easiest thing to wear. Unique pieces of clothing, so you don't have to strain to match styles and colors. They allow you to achieve the understated style you are looking for. Make sure you choose neutral colors and acceptable lengths. Complete the work with the addition of some simple, inexpensive jewels, and a jacket or cardigan, if it's cold.
Step 5. Choose the right shoes
As with the casual version, it is important that your shoes are of good quality and well maintained. Well cleaned. Avoid too bright colors or too original styles. Men can rely on the academic style, while women can wear both ballet flats and heels.
Method 4 of 4: Avoid Common Mistakes
Step 1. Never wear jeans
They do not give the idea of formality or sobriety. Jeans must be worn in a different environment, and not in the office.
Step 2. Wear few accessories
The formal style is minimal, so the less you add the better. You have to avoid wearing too many things, hats in the office are not acceptable. You must bring a bag, sober and elegant.
Step 3. Cover up any piercings or tattoos
You may find work in an environment that tolerates them, but most places don't. There is nothing wrong with having tattoos or piercings, but they are not suitable for a professional environment.
Step 4. Keep your clothes in good condition
Make sure you always wear clean, ironed clothes. If it helps, get your outfit from the night before. Wash your clothes often, so you avoid wearing dirty clothes.
Step 5. Don't wear the same suit more than once a week
For the reasons explained above, it is unprofessional and does not result in an idea of personal hygiene. You can avoid this by combining different outfits and creating new ones. Adopt the "two weeks" rule (try to wear a suit only once within two weeks).
Step 6. Combine the suits
If the trousers of a suit match with the jacket of another, no one forbids you to combine them and create a new one. It is a good option, allowing you to wear "new" suits every day. Avoid combining outfits with patterns and colors that are too different from each other.
