No matter where you work or what position you have at the organization, you won’t really be able to go there in your sweats and looking like a mess. While this can be the case for women who work from home, even they have to attend some professional meeting at one point or another. ‘’The fact is – in a workplace, you have to dress for success.’’ – says Elena Hope, writer at top resume writing services.
Getting a fine job position requires a set of skills from the employee, but that’s not enough. As soon as you get the job and need to start showing up in the workplace, you must set work attire for every business situation. Overdressing can make you perceived as someone who is unprofessional or is trying too hard. Under dressing will make you look as someone who isn’t professional or doesn’t respect the job.
So, what do you need to do?
One key element for success in your workplace is to look like a professional, always. The right attire in combination with your skills and the right attitude can seal deals and help you rise in the workplace.
Men have it easier when it comes to work attire. Their choices are not so wide, while their female counterparts experience a real struggle. You can’t simply open the wardrobe and get one of your classic combinations of suit and tie and shirt. That being said, if you are planning to attend an interview and land a job, or are going on a meeting where you need to impress others – remember that your attire will have a huge impact on your success. Here are some tips that will help you look professional and successful:
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Learn About the Dress Code
More often than not, looking at how other people dress in the workplace will tell you about the dress code. If you are new at a company, it is best to ask about the dress code, read the rules, and see how others behave and dress when you get there. Many offices have at least a couple business wear rules. Some are more flexible and allow you to wear blouse and trousers, while others demand more official attire.
Dressing for work does not equal dressing for interviews. In interview, a general rule of thumb is to overdress and not go with something casual. In the business place, this can vary a lot based on the dress code. Overdressing in offices where people are flexible about their clothing and aim toward comfort is equally as bad as under-dressing in an office that requires strict business wear.
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It’s Also about HOW You Wear It
You can buy the most expensive office clothes and still make a bad impression while wearing them. This is a huge faux pas when it comes to women’s attire – wearing poorly fitted and inappropriate clothes in the office.
This rule applies in general. It isn’t just about the things you wear, but how you wear them, too. If you choose clothing that is too baggy or too large for your body, you will appear untidy. If you choose clothes that sit too tight on you, you will appear inappropriate.
For some other women, this attire might seem just fine for the workplace. Therefore, it is not sufficient to just know what kind of dress code there is, but also fit this dress code to your individual appearance.
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Choose Tasteful and Modest Attire
Successful people want to buy expensive clothing and show off. This is perfectly fine if you are a successful woman, but try not to be a show-off in the workplace. Your attire shouldn’t make the person you are meeting with or working with feel bad.
Even if you can afford accessories such as a Rolex and diamond necklace and highly expensive clothing, try to be tasteful and modest in a workplace. You can always wear your expensive things outside the office, and not make it seem like you are bragging.
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If You Aren’t Sure, Wear the Standard Business Attire
Do you know what the standard attire for a business woman is? When you are doubtful about the dress code and what you should wear at work, the safe path to take is wear standard business attire.
Such attire includes a tailored dress or a skirt in combination with a jacket and a blouse. When you feel insecure about the clothing choices, let’s say – for a new workplace, it is safer to go with standard business attire than to wear a casual dress.
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Dress for Success
In addition to following rules and fitting them to your appearance and behavior, there are some tips and tricks we’d like to share with you when it comes to dressing for success:
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Wear tailored clothes. Tailored clothes look more professional and neat, so you might want to invest in such clothing and have them handy when you need to attend a meeting or dress up.
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Select colors wisely. Colors are as important as the type of clothing you are wearing. In terms of business attire for women, the standard for colors is conservative coloring, as well as fabrics. The most popular color is black, while you should definitely avoid those colorful, bright cocktail dresses.
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Don’t go for the extreme. Even if you wish to make a statement and be noticed fast, this is not something to be achieved by going for the extreme with your clothing. Everyone in the office, including your boss will be more likely to notice you if you demonstrate your skills and interest in the job. Your clothing should look professional and modest, not be a personal statement that expresses how much you like red polka dots!
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Choose the right patterns. If you decide not to go for the plain color combination, you can use patterns and plaids. However, try to be subtle about it. If you use too eye-catching patterns, you are not doing a good job. Your task is to choose patterns that are conservative and appear solid even when seen from afar. High-sheen fabrics and wide stripes are not recommended to wear at meetings.
Type of Clothing
Finally, let’s discuss some of the clothing types you can use and how to use them.
Pants – pants are okay for a business attire, but as long as they are tailored and of good fabric choices. Do not wear denim or heavy-cotton materials, or polyester blends that wrinkle fast.
Dresses and skirts – We already discussed the materials and colors, but when it comes to skirts and dresses, there is one more thing to pay special attention to – the length. This is critical. The length of your skirts and dresses must be the right length – never too short.
Do you know what to wear at your next meeting or next day at work? We hope that this guide helped you choose. Whatever you choose to wear, remember – dress for success!