The style in which you present yourself at work clues your employer in on both your personality as well as your work ethic.  Unless your job requires you to wear a uniform, choosing work attire becomes more than a simple task of picking out clothes.  It is ultimately a way to make a statement. Follow the key pointers listed below to ensure you are making the right statement before you head out the door in the morning.

Casual Doesn’t Mean Sloppy
Dressing casually to work can be confusing as to what is accepted and what is not. Whether your company is lenient enough to allow casual dress throughout the year or simply once a week the policy can be baffling.  When a casual dress code is allowed, some key factors should be kept in mind.

• Casual dress needs to accompany good hygiene and your clothes should be neat and clean.
• Your hair should be neatly styled and women’s makeup should always be subtle.
• Although some companies may allow jeans, khakis are a safer way to go.

High-Powered Garb

If you are in a no-nonsense line of business such as a freelancer, financial analyst, a business consultant, or a legal associate, the way you dress must inspire confidence in both your clients and colleagues.  A professional dress code is a little easier to follow than its casual counterpart being that there is a clear perception of what a professional should look like.  For men, suits should be worn in dark blue, gray, or black as well as be well tailored and pressed.  Women should wear pant or skirt suits in the darker colors referenced above.  Crisp blouses can complement the suit in any array of colors.  In warmer climates, suits can be worn in lighter colors such as white, beige, and light gray by both men and women.

Complimentary Colors

The colors you wear can be a subtle way to express to your employer and colleagues how you are feeling on any given day.  For example, the color blue produces a calm and collected feeling amongst your peers.  A blue shirt or tie can be worn on days when your attendance is required in a high-pressured meeting to connote your personal ease with the situation.  Alternatively, if you were required to speak at said meeting, black would be the perfect choice.  The color black signifies power and sophistication.

Wear Your Smile

Wearing the appropriate attire to work can prove become a doorway to success.  However, wearing the right suit isn’t the only key to a suitable appearance.  First and foremost, wearing a smile shows your employer that you are happy to be there.  It also signifies that you are an easy-going individual ready to take on any new endeavor they may present to you.

Appearances do matter in the workplace because it lets your employers and/or clients know that you mean business.  Even on casual Fridays, it is important to remember that what you wear reflects who you are and what you want to become within your company.