SUCCEED WITH STYLE: What Not to Wear to the Office
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The office is a place for doing business, not a venue for getting dates or trying to be the next contestant on America’s Next Top Model. (That is, unless you’re vying for a position at a high-fashion magazine like Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada). When it comes to representing yourself appropriately in an office environment, your goal is to look professional, credible and capable. You want to communicate that you’re ready to get down to business. If you are a more seasoned professional, you want to look current, appropriate and prepared for the next level. In my travels, I’m consistently amazed at how many people break even the most obvious “what NOT to wear to the office” rules. People may hear about them, but they obviously don’t follow them. If you choose to follow these simple Don’ts, I promise you’ll look more appropriate, more professional and you may be surprised at the positive feedback you receive from co-workers or even your boss.
What not to wear to the office:
1. Anything too revealing. This includes clothing so tight that it shows every bump, gives you a muffin top, is transparent or shows cleavage.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST2. Low-rise pants. Avoid styles that are cut so low that when you bend over, the world can see the leopard print underwear you chose to wear that day.
3. Sweats. Skip anything that looks remotely like lounge pants or a hoodie.
4. Torn or worn-out jeans. Stick to a dark wash trouser style for women and a straight, dark wash or black jean for men.
5. Over-sized shirts. Slim fit styles are the way to go for men. Even if you are on the larger side, fitted is always better.
6. Mini-skirts. There is nothing business like about a mini-skirt. Keep your hem just a few inches above the knee.
7. Frayed shirts. Purge all shirts that are frayed at the collar and cuffs.
8. Clothes that need to be tailored. Dragging hems, rolled up jacket sleeves and clothes that just don't fit well look sloppy and unprofessional. Spend a few dollars and have your clothes tailored to fit you. You'll look like you spent a mint even if you didn't.
9. Head-to-toe trend: Choose one item to be the on-trend focus, like a belt, scarf, bag or shoe.
10. T-shirts. This look says I'm really not in the mood to work today. Save your favorite T-shirts for the weekend.
Remember, the next time you get ready for work, ask yourself, “How do I want to be perceived?”
Margaret Batting is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder and serves as the style advisor liaison for Dress for Success Rhode Island. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.
