Do’s & Don’ts of Proper Business Dress

In 2004, “Psychology Today” published an article, “The First Impression,” that illustrated how brief it takes to make an impression during work interactions like interviews. Psychologists proved that it takes only 20 to 32 seconds to make a good or poor first impression, despite an interviewer’s mental attempts to remain neutral. Proper business attire played a large role in determining who “passed muster,” according to the article. Encourage the employees of your small business to dress professionally when representing the company.

Attire for Men

Men’s attire will vary according to the type of position a gentleman holds. However, a nice suit should be worn during the interview even if the job will require jeans or outdoor clothing. For men who work indoors in an office setting, a suit is preferred. Do wear a black, navy or gray suit that fits well. Wear a long-sleeve shirt in white or a light color, and have the shirt pressed. The cuffs shouldn’t be frayed or rolled up. Never wear a short-sleeve shirt with a suit. The pants and jacket should be the same color and material. Businessmen should wear conservative or neat ties, not comic strip or silly ties. Do wear black or brown dress shoes rather than tennis shoes.

Women’s Attire

Smart-looking pantsuits and dress suits are appropriate choices for women. Pantsuits should be tailored and creased, not flowing or too tight. A dress suit should have a skirt that goes no higher than 2 inches above the knee. Miniskirts, even in a suit, are not appropriate for business wear. If suit wear is not required, wear dress pants and skirts, never jeans. Don’t wear skirts that are too long or billowy. Don’t wear pants that are too snug on the body. Women’s shoes should have closed toes, not open toes. Don’t wear sandals or stiletto heels. Heels should be conservative; shoes with no heel are acceptable. Avoid wearing see-through garments or sleeveless shirts.

Casual Days

You might be tempted to let it all hang out on casual days, but you shouldn’t. Casuals days indicate a relaxed dress code; it hasn’t been thrown out the window. If small businesses permit “casual Fridays,” they need to ask workers to wear dress pants like khakis. Polo shirts and short-sleeve shirts are allowed, but not sleeveless tops. Tuck in your shirt and wear a belt. Don’t wear T-shirts or faded clothing. Don’t wear tennis shoes, do wear casual work loafers or oxfords.

Accessories

Piling on the accessories, even when wearing the appropriate clothing, looks sloppy. It’s tempting to show off your jewelry collection or swanky new belts at work. Instead of missing the mark, wear just a few pieces of jewelry. For men, one ring and a watch are appropriate for work wear. For women, limit your jewelry to one necklace or bracelet, not both. Do wear earrings but not long, dangling or oversize earrings. Wear one or two rings but no more. Scarves are optional, but any scarf should be appropriate for office wear and not too long. Do carry a small to medium-size purse, not an oversize bag.

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