6 Fashion Tips: How to Avoid Business Wear Blunders
Where you aware that the style, color choices, lengths and proper fit of your business clothes speak volumes about your ability to do a good job? If your career path is important to you, your goal should be to look professional rather than coming across trendy and cute. Keep in mind, the more distracting your appearance, the less appropriate it is for the office.
Following are some tips to help you look professional:
- Make sure clothes fit properly. – It doesn’t matter if your clothes are too tight or too big, neither will make you look well put together. If you should lose weight or gain, be sure to adjust your wardrobe accordingly.
- Don’t show too much skin. – Wearing low-cut tops or short skirts to the office is not professional and may earn you an undesirable nickname. Sexy should not be part of your business attire.
- Casual Friday faux pas. – With the advent of Casual Friday come the worst business wear blunders. Make sure you understand your company’s policy on office attire for casual days. Most don’t allow employees to show up in shorts and flip flops or mini-skirts . Generally it is still a collared shirt and long pants (may include jeans) or a modest skirt. Avoid clothes with rips or tears, soiled, wrinkled, or with inappropriate sayings.
- Accessories, less is more. – Don’t wear too much jewelry; it can be distracting. Also, choose a structured style handbag that projects an organized image. Although various perfumes and colognes smell lovely, some people are allergic to them. Be considerate of others and save the smell goods for open air occasions.
- Don’t ignore your footwear. – Make sure you keep your shoes clean or polished and in good condition, as they are part of the overall ensemble.
- A polished image. – A clean scent, manicured nails, and neat hair are also part of a polished image. Attentiveness to all details will leave a favorable impression with your supervisors, co-workers and clients.
There is no need to leave your personal style behind, just be sure your goal when getting dressed for work is to project a professional, competent image, no matter what your employment level.
Wishing you much happiness and success!
Patricia Rossi, America’s Etiquette and Protocol Coach, www.patriciarossi.com
