Introduction
I also recall my initial interview in a corporation. Three days of my life were spent contemplating on what to wear, trying on all the combinations of my clothes, and finally, I purchased a suit that did not fit my body. In retrospect, I was making it too complicated-but that taught me a lesson, professional fashion is not about following a strict dress code. It is a matter of expressing a sense of competence, respect and confidence through deliberate actions.
Trial and error, discussions with friends in the industry, a few fashion blunders that happened on the way, and, last but not least, I have learned that being professional means not necessarily being caught in the rules but rather knowing the principles that are applicable to your body, your industry and your personal fashion sense.
The Background: Fit Comes First.
There is nothing that kills a professional look quicker than the wrongly fitting clothes. I have seen needlessly priced designer suits that were loose and I have seen inexpensive off the shelf items appear to be fitted and trim simply because someone took the time to have them adjusted.
I did not run to the store and purchase expensive brands when I had my first serious raise. Rather I walked into a good tailor in the neighborhood. It was one night and another day. Pants to the correct length, sleeves to the correct length, waist narrowed a few inches--all these changes make average clothes appear an individual tailoring. A perfectly fitting suit worth 200 will always appear better than the 1000 suit that does not.
How to create a Multipurpose Professional Wardrobe.
At the beginning of my career, I used to make a mistake of purchasing fashionable items that seemed nice at one season but out of date in a few months. I now concentrate on creating an essential wardrobe of timeless pieces, which can be used in a variety of ways.
To build a foundation of professional, invest in the following staples:
Neutral quality blazers, Navy, charcoal, and black, will never disappear. Everything in business casual can be taken to another level with a well-cut blazer that can be used with dress pants or dark jeans.
White and light blue button-downs crisp shirts- Workhorses. I have some of every kind on hand, as I know they will fit almost anything. To break things up add subtle designs such as fine stripes or micro-checks.
Customized trousers or skirts - Select materials that have some kind of structure. Blended wool has been discovered to have a higher retention of shape during the long days of work compared to unblended wool, cotton, and synthetic fabrics.
Classic footwear Leather footwear black and brown: For formal: leather shoes, polished loafers or ankle boots Business casual: leather shoes. Wash and maintain them clean, as they make the best suit shabby.
Simple dresses - Simple sheath dresses in solid colors or delicate patterns are so versatile to the people who wear them. Get a blazer to wear on meetings, and wear alone on regular office days.
The Force of Color and Pattern.
I could play on the safe side with blacks, grays, and navy only. Although these colors certainly convey a sense of authority, I have learnt that when colors are used strategically, they can bring personalities, but at the same time, they do not lose their professionalism.
Such jewel colors as emerald, sapphire, or burgundy suggest confidence. The earth tones are friendly and straight forward. Through a splash of color in a shirt, tie, scarf or blouse you will be more memorable and will appear well-dressed.
Patterns in general In most business environments, subtlety is an ally. Small check, thin stripes and subtle prints are effective. Reserve flamboyant floral and noisy geometrical designs to the creative disciplines or Friday afternoons. As patterns mix, change the scale, a pinstriped shirt can be paired with a wider-checked blazer, e.g.
Grooming and Details Matter
Even the finest gown is just a flop when grooming and finishing touches are disregarded. These facts may not look significant on their own but when put together they make up an attractive image of a professional.
Wash clothes, press and do not have loose threads or missing buttons. I have a roll of lint in my desk and in my car, that hair of the pet and lint is professional appearance killers. Polish shoes regularly. Trim or file nails. Make hair presentable, be it regular hair cuts, maintained color or natural hair which is styled.
The accessories must not be a distraction. A nice watch, a plain piece of jewelry, a leather belt, which goes with your shoes, a professional bag, the list is endless, these will make an outfit. Having too many accessories or extremely fashionable can be counterproductive in a conservative environment.
Dressing Not Bridesmaidly but Bodywise.
I had to take years to get used to this. Professional dressing is best done by wearing clothes that suit your shape, which is what fashion magazines and store mannequins demonstrate on one particular body type.
When you are petted, vertical lines in the tailored pieces make length. Being a tall person, you can deal with more layers and horizontal. Various torsos respond to various rise heights. There are those who are clean in form designs; others that are shiners in soft designs.
Finding the Gold Mean between Professionalism and Personality.
I have known the most successful professional dressers, who have managed to remain themselves and at the same time, adhere to workplace rules. You do not need to delete your personality so as to appear professional.
Perhaps that involves entertaining eyeglasses, trademark scarf, special cufflinks or a color that you are known to wear quite well. Small personal touches make you memorable and likable and at the same time credible.
FAQs
How do many professional outfits do I actually require?
With mixing and matching of 2-3 blazers, 4-5 shirts or blouses, 2-3 pairs of pants or skirts and 2 pairs of shoes, one can have 2 weeks of different outfits.
Is it possible to use the same clothes twice in a week?
Absolutely. Majority of human beings observe much less than you imagine. The combinations of rotating pieces are absolutely alright.
What is the amount of money I would need to use on professional clothes?
Be price conscious, but not price aggressive. You will need to spend more on the things you wear and less on the things you wear a few times in the year. A nice tailor will make inexpensive items appear costly.
Do open-toed shoes make one unprofessional?
This is all dependent on your culture and industry at work. Flint coated open toed shoes can be used in creative and business casual settings. In conservative disciplines there is a safer closed-toe.
What about switching business attire to after work attire?
Replace the blazer with a jacket made of leather, replace the formal shoes with fancy boots or loafers, work in a statement necklace, or wear a tee under a suit jacket.
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