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Dressing etiquette
- 2. Appropriate attire—knowdifference between business casual and casual attire Gain edge in business with appropriate attire Be sensitive to your industry Dress the part for the role you play Appearance may make or break career First impression continues to make a lasting impression Recognize the value of company’s business casual guidelines
- 3. Attire appropriatefor meetings or an office environment Purpose is to convey a professional appearance, as well as create an environment conducive to work Personal expression is encouraged, but should not be taken to extremes
- 4. A classicsuit A navy or black blazer and skirt A cardigan sweater A plain white or cream blouse in silk or rayon or a tailored tee With a light colored jacket or sweater wear a darker colored blouse.
- 5. Pantsuits aregreat investments on business casual days. Trousers and a blazer or a cardigan sweater are also appropriate. Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are appropriate. If you are unsure if slacks are appropriate, simply mirror the highest-ranking female in your company.
- 6. Basic skirtsin black, navy, khaki, or taupe Skirts should be same length as business professional skirt length or longer A long skirt makes a feminine statement for business casual
- 7. Coordinate withthe other items worn Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, taupe, or burgundy Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned hosiery is a must Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag / briefcase the smallest size possible to still be functional
- 8. Hair shouldbe or give appearance of shoulder length or shorter Makeup should accentuate features rather than jumping out--eyes and lips important communication tools Fingernails should be well maintained
- 9. Dressing toocasually 4 of the most commonly made business casual Not wearing hosiery Wearing a skirt that is too short Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and see-through blouses Wearing stretch pants How to decide what is appropriate Look good Dress up a notch Thinking an outfit inappropriate means it probably is
- 10. Don’t wear businesscasual attire when… Not yet invested in business casual attire When talking about salary or a performance appraisal When unsure of outfit When outfit is not cleaned or pressed When unsure about an organization’s dress code on a visit When interacting with potential clients or international clients Are jeans appropriate? When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to work And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good condition
- 11. Don’t wear businesscasual attire when… Not yet invested in business casual attire When talking about salary or a performance appraisal When unsure of outfit When outfit is not cleaned or pressed When unsure about an organization’s dress code on a visit When interacting with potential clients or international clients Are jeans appropriate? When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to work And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good condition
- 12. Women must lookright to get foot in the door Only suits? Some companies have unwritten rule for suits only In other companies, business professional dress can mean suit, dress, pantsuit, or blazer and skirt
- 13. Suits inblack, navy, gray, and taupe Brighter colored jackets and skirts from business casual may be blended into business professional Skirts that are calf-length are appropriate A blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate when policy is more relaxed Long-sleeve classic style dress in a good color Black, gray, navy, and tan are good color choices--project authority Avoid floral designs and other prints
- 14. Easy to maintainhairstyle Hair length—appearance of shoulder length or shorter Make-up--accentuate features Eyes and lips are important communication tools Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish colors or natural look Eyeglasses Glasses denote serious/intelligent Conservative frames
- 15. Dress upa notch rather than down a notch Give extra edge by looking good on her way up ladder Quality clothes Investment Thinking an outfit inappropriate--probably is
- 16. Company manual Distributed to potential and present employees Followed Enforced Dress by and for example Knowledgeable Sensitive to own industry Dress the part for the role you play
Editor's Notes
- #5 Notes: If a woman hasn’t already invested in a classic suit, she should begin her business casual dress by making that investment. A good first investment is a navy or black blazer and skirt. In addition, a woman should buy a cardigan sweater, which can give a more casual appearance on business casual days. A plain white or cream blouse in silk or rayon is a great classic basic for business casual. An alternative is a tailored tee. With a beige or light-colored jacket or sweater, be sure to wear a darker color blouse or tee. It will give that added “presence” in an outfit.
- #6 Notes: Pantsuits are great investments on business casual days. They allow a professional look, and yet, allow a woman to dress down one notch. In business casual environments, trousers with a blazer or a cardigan sweater, can give comfort that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are appropriate for a woman’s smart casual environment. They also offer greater comfort on business casual days. If you are unsure that slacks are appropriate for your business environment, simply mirror the highest-ranking female in your company.
- #7 Notes: Skirts that she already has in her business professional wardrobe. She may want to add other basic skirts in black, navy, khaki, or taupe. She can then mix and match those skirts with blazers or a cardigan sweater. In a conservative environment, a business casual skirt length should be the same length as her business professional skirt length or longer. Sometimes a long skirt can make a feminine statement for business casual days in the office. It also adds another look for a woman’s business casual wardrobe. Remember, when in doubt, mirror the highest-ranking female in the organization.
- #8 Notes: Just as in business professional, business casual belts, shoes, and hosiery should be compatible or coordinate with the other items that you are wearing. Classic leather pumps or flats still mean business with tailored looks. They are the best choice for comfort and style. Colors that test best are black, navy, taupe, and burgundy. Comfortable yet well-maintained flats also work well with business trousers and long skirts. Hosiery is a must. No bare legs, even when a woman has a terrific tan. Follow this rule for wearing hosiery: A woman’s hosiery should be the same shade or lighter than her shoes and hemline. When wearing a short-sleeved jacket or top, skin-toned hosiery is a must. The reason is because a woman will look balanced by having as much of her legs showing as her arms. A woman can use a quality shoulder bag or briefcase from her business professional accessories; though, a handbag and briefcase should be the smallest size possible and still be functional. Black, navy and burgundy test very well in business.
- #9 Notes: When it comes to fingernails, hairstyle, and make-up, women should realize that they are very important parts of her overall look. A woman who means business should invest in an easy to maintain hairstyle that will enhance her business casual wardrobe. Her hair length should be shoulder length or shorter or at least give that appearance by being pulled back or up. Her make-up should accentuate her features rather than jumping out. A woman should recognize that her eyes and lips continue to be important communication tools for her. On business casual days, a woman’s nails should be as well maintained as they are on business professional days. Subtle polish colors or the natural look work best. Once again, a woman should mirror the highest-ranking woman in her organization.
- #10 Notes: The main mistake that women make when dressing in a business casual mode is dressing too casually. Here are 4 of the most commonly made business casual faux pas: Not wearing hosiery in a business environment. Wearing a skirt that is much shorter in length than she would when dressed in a business professional mode. Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and see-through blouses. Wearing stretch pants rather than a tailored pair of slacks. When a woman is entering a business environment and is unsure if the situation calls for business casual, she should remember she can’t get in trouble looking good. Dressing up a notch is much better than dressing down a notch. A woman can always take off the jacket; however, she can’t remove a jacket if she hasn’t brought it with her. If a woman thinks an outfit is inappropriate, it probably is.
- #11 Notes: A woman should not wear business casual attire in these situations: When they have not yet invested in business casual attire. When scheduled to talk with someone about salary or a performance appraisal. When she puts on an outfit and wonders if it’s appropriate for work. When dress down attire is not cleaned or pressed. When a woman is visiting an organization and wonders what the dress code is at that organization. When she’s interacting with potential clients or international clients whose dress is business professional. Jeans are appropriate when: The highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to work. When it’s considered appropriate in an environment, women should make sure that jeans are pressed and in good condition. No matter what she wears with business casual, they should always be well maintained, cleaned and pressed.
- #12 Notes: A woman should not wear business casual attire in these situations: When they have not yet invested in business casual attire. When scheduled to talk with someone about salary or a performance appraisal. When she puts on an outfit and wonders if it’s appropriate for work. When dress down attire is not cleaned or pressed. When a woman is visiting an organization and wonders what the dress code is at that organization. When she’s interacting with potential clients or international clients whose dress is business professional. Jeans are appropriate when: The highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to work. When it’s considered appropriate in an environment, women should make sure that jeans are pressed and in good condition. No matter what she wears with business casual, they should always be well maintained, cleaned and pressed.
- #13 Notes: The first impression in business continues to make a lasting impression. Many women have invested much time and money in a college degree; however, if they don’t look the part, they will not get their foot in the door. They’ve worked hard to land a position within a company that requires a business professional look. If they’re interested in being taken seriously, they will invest in business professional attire. Investing means paying a price that will produce long-term results. That’s how women should think when building their wardrobe. Buy less, pay more. Buy clothes that have a classic look, are made well, and can be worn the majority of the year. Some companies have maintained a conservative look. Their unwritten rule is that a suit is to be worn at all times. In other companies, business professional dress can mean a suit, dress, pantsuit, or a blazer and skirt. Whether a woman is a traditionalist or fashion-forward, her business wardrobe should be geared to the company she represents or wants to represent or to the business relationship she would like to acquire.
- #14 Notes: Suits in black, navy, gray and taupe are very good colors to invest in when beginning a business professional wardrobe. However, women have a little more leeway than men when dressing professionally. Therefore, if women have brighter colored jackets and skirts in their business casual wardrobe, they can blend those items into their business professional wardrobe. Skirts that are calf-length remain appropriate. If a company has a more relaxed attitude about business professional dress, a blazer and coordinating skirt will give a more casual look. A woman may also consider investing in a long-sleeve classic style dress in a color that looks good on her. Black, navy, gray, and tan test very well and project a sense of authority. Clothing consultants recommend that a woman stay away from floral designs and other prints if she wants to project a sense of authority.
- #15 Notes: A woman who means business should: invest in an easy to maintain hairstyle that works for her. Hair length should be shoulder length or shorter, or at least give that appearance by being pulled back or up. Make-up should accentuate a woman’s features rather than jumping out. A woman should recognize that her eyes and lips are important communication tolls for her. Her fingernails should be well maintained with subtle polish colors or a natural look. Mirror the highest-ranking woman in the organization. Besides being functional, glasses can be a real benefit to women in business. Studies have shown that, at times, people are taken more seriously when wearing glasses. These studies have shown that people are perceived as more intelligent when wearing glasses than when not wearing them. When selecting frames, a woman should choose conservative ones if they represent or interact with individuals representing rigid corporate cultures. If work is in a more creative field, a woman may have the freedom to choose more fashion-forward frames.
- #16 Notes: When a woman is unsure of what is appropriate, or inappropriate, she should dress up a notch rather than going down a notch. She can’t get in trouble looking good. A woman can always take the jacket off; however, she doesn’t want to be in a situation where she wishes she had put something on before arriving. Choose to wear quality clothes. A woman should wear high quality, classic clothes that do not date her and will last. Business professional attire is an investment. If a woman thinks an outfit is inappropriate, it probably is.
- #17 Notes: If you are the person who sets your business casual or business professional guidelines, recognize that you will be doing others a favor by incorporating your expectations into a company manual. Make sure that these guidelines are distributed to potential and present employees. Let them know that these guidelines are to be followed. When they are not followed, let your employees know that you mean business by sending people home to change. This action will teach others not to dress inappropriately. Remember, practice what you preach. The way you and the top leaders in your organization dress will tell others what you really mean. Being knowledgeable about what is considered appropriate business dress is the key to gaining the edge in business today. The most important rule is to be sensitive to the industry in which you work. Dress the part for the role you play.