Career Clothing for Men

Some say the clothes make the man, others believe it's what's on the inside that counts.  Perhaps you think your college sweatshirt  makes you think better or your leather jacket  makes you feel confident.  Your favorite clothes may be sending your boss the wrong message.  Why risk it?  By dressing for success, you'll look like you know what's going on without having to work twice as hard to prove your mettle.  But dressing the part isn't easy these days--a 2001 poll by the Society for Human Resource Management states that 86% of US companies allow some form of casual attire.  It's up to you to decipher your workplace dress code and build your wardrobe accordingly and this guide is a great palce to start.

Workplace Style
Conservative Style demands: Suit,  dress shirt  and tie  are required. Dress shoes  required. Shoes should match belt in color. Must wear socks  (no holes). Dark suits  are preferred. Conservative offices include, but certainly aren't limited to: law firms, accounting firms, government agencies, and the banking industry. There are two guides designed to help guys in conservative workplaces pull it together: Shirts and Ties and Suits.  These two articles will help the fashion neophyte look appropriate in the most stuffy office.	Business Casual Style demands: No denim. Shirts  must have collars. Loafers  are acceptable--skip the sandals and flip flops. A tie is not necessary. A sportcoat  or blazer  is a nice touch (especially for managers). Shirts should be tucked into pants. More questions? Monster.com has a Q & A section for the business casual fellow with concerns. The pants guide will help you decide what bottoms to wear to flatter your look and your wallet.	Casual Style demands; Look clean and tidy--no holes in your clothes. No ratty sneakers. Avoid t-shirts with writing on them. Casual office attire would be suitable for men who are in construction, deliveries, maintenance, repair, or other jobs that are physically demanding and may result in stains and sweat. If you are gunning to move up in your present job to a position in management, dressing well can show you've got what it takes to get out of the trenches and into a desk job.

More Information

We've already got two great places to help you pull yourself together once you've figured out how you need to dress for work: Style Resources for Men and Men's Guide to Getting Dressed.   These two gems should be just the ticket to help you dazzle your coworkers.  If you still can't figure out what to wear to work it may be because you're entering a new realm.  It's true. There are times when you need to follow different rules for dressing.  Here are a few examples:

Fashionable Offices

Jobs in fashion, advertising, public relations, media, film and television and a few other creative industries often have their own clothing standards. How to dress: Observe your coworkers and take their lead. Once you feel comfortable in your position, take a few fashion risks and gauge the reactions of your coworkers. Subscribe to a men's magazine like GQ,  Men's Vogue,  or Esquire  to keep up to date on the trends. Things that may be acceptable: turtlenecks  flat front trousers  denim worn with a blazer  bright colors and bold patterned shirts

The Interview

According to Rutger's University these are the basic standards for a standard first job interview: A two-piece suit in a solid color. Shirts should be solid blue or white. Ties should have a simple pattern is best for an interview. Shoes should be polished and socks should be high enough so no skin is visible when you sit down and cross your legs. About.com adds these bon mots: Skip the cologne. Shoes and belts should match in color. Keep the jewelry to a minimum: watch and wedding band. Of course, use your noggin when planning your interview wardrobe.  Obviously if you are applying for a job where you'd look absurd walking into the lobby in a suit and tie--skip them and dress like your potential coworkerss.

External Links

• Monster.com has a top ten list of interview fashion blunders.
• The Center for Retailing Studies offers a head to toe guide for creating a professional business casual appearance.
• A comprehensive discussion of casual vs. formal office attire is available at Presentations.com.
• Need more convincing that suits are a good way to show you mean business? Read the CNN article about getting back to basics.