5 Do’s and Don’ts: How to Dress at the Office

By Kate Mueller on June 29, 2014

After attending countless career fairs, events and classes, the one thing that really stuck in my mind was this poster:

via Jobiety

It shows two extremes. On the left it’s Ms. Professional and on the right it’s Ms. Sloppy. Yes, they are 100% right that you should never dress like the woman on the right to a job interview or anywhere in the workplace, but should you really dress like Ms. Professional on the left?  Something about it just doesn’t do it for me; it screams “I’m boring and have no sense of imagination.”  Then again, I’m in a field where my creativity is accepted.  However, I’m not going to knock the black suit and white button down completely; they’re fine for some careers, and probably best for the initial interview no matter what field you’re in.

But once you’ve landed the job (or internship) it’s time to let your personality come through.  You’ve shown them that you have the skills needed and that you’ll be a valuable asset to their company, so now it’s time to look like it.

The Dreaded Dress Code

First things first, you need to find out if there is a dress code and follow it.  The last thing you want is to not be taken seriously or have to listen to your boss or HR explain why your clothes are inappropriate for the office.  If you don’t know if there’s a dress code, then ask.  You can usually get an idea of how to dress by paying attention to your boss and co-workers.

The Essentials

via my personal closet
Purchased from Target, $35

No matter what, though, you should have the basics down.  A suit is a great investment because of its versatility.  Wear the suit as a whole for the interview or any other important days where you need to look sharp.  Personally, I love a grey suit, especially in Florida’s heat, but you can never go wrong with black.  The best part of having a suit is that you can wear them as separates.  Be sure it fits properly and take it to get fitted, if needed.  It may cost you a little more than you’d like, but these pieces will be worn countless times.

Luckily, many companies today – especially in creative fields – have a business casual dress code.  Keep some nice dresses (knee-length of course) on hand; the ease of just slipping one over your head is great for those that like to wait until the last minute to get ready in the morning.  If your dress is sleeveless, you may want to have a sweater – whether it’s to fit the dress code or not, it’s usually chilly in most offices.  Some places allow sleeveless, but no office will allow too low of necklines.  It gets hard for bustier women so sometimes a little cleavage can seem unavoidable, but use your proper judgment.  If your office allows jeans, make sure they are dark in color without holes or fading.  Casual doesn’t mean you can just come into work like you would go to the grocery store – you still have a level of professionalism to uphold.

 

The Do’s and the Don’ts

Here’s some of my top do’s and don’ts for work attire, and as an added bonus I’ve rummaged through my closet to find my favorite, affordable pieces to mix and match.

DON’T: Wear stiletto heels

DO: Wear shoes with a stable heel or wedges – they’re comfortable for long days

via my personal closet
Purchased at Rack Room Shoes, $20

You should try to steer away from any shoe with too much height to it.  These black heels are simple and acceptable.  As far as  wedges, some may be borderline inappropriate for the office, but in more casual settings they will be just fine.  Closed toe is best for work, but on hot summer days like we’ve been having in Tallahassee, most heels would work as long as they’re not too high or “club” heels, as I like to call them.

DON’T: Wear flip-flops or sandals

DO: Wear flats – perfect for people that are constantly on their feet and moving

Nothing screams unprofessional more than the dreaded flip flop.  Whether its rubber or not, most sandals are made for the beach, poolside and other places outside of work.  Flats are my go-to shoes.  It doesn’t hurt that they work with almost any outfit.  I like my flats in neutral colors since I wear color elsewhere, but adding a little color on your feet wouldn’t hurt.  These coral flats from Lulu’s are actually on my wishlist.

DON’T: Dress head to toe in any color or pattern

DO: Pick one item of color or pattern and coordinate it with neutrals

via my personal closet
Purchased at Delia’s, $24

There’s nothing wrong with a colorful dress, but be sure to pair it with neutral accessories.  Black may be the only color exception to the rule, but during summer weather it’s still probably not a good choice.  My go-to outfit is black slacks and a plain colored tank top.  Pair it with a sweater and you easily have a pop of color that is work appropriate. If you’re one of those people that like to stick with the white top and black suit, try adding a colorful necklace. It’s a small pop of color and adds some life to your outfit. For these necklaces, its best to have a higher neckline.

via my personal closet
Purchased at Target, $16

If you’re choosing a pattern, be sure it fits to your body type.  This is one of those classic “What Not To Wear” moments that I’ll never forget.  The rule went something like this – if you’re petite, wear a petite pattern because you’re likely to get lost in a large print, and a small pattern will draw attention to unwanted places on a curvier woman.

via my personal closet
Purchased at Forever21, $16

DON’T: Dress like you’re drowning in sequins and sparkles

DO: Add some interesting details

Too much shine can appear to be unprofessional and attention seeking.  You don’t necessarily want to draw attention to your clothes, but rather you want people to notice you.  You’ll be taken much more seriously if you keep your ‘night out’ clothes separate from your work clothes.  Adding some small details of leather, sequins or metallic can make you look stylish, yet still professional.

via my personal closet
Purchased at Target, $26

via my personal closet
Purchased at Kohl’s, Christmas present

And the most important of them all:

DON’T: Dress to stand out

DO: Dress to make yourself feel (and appear) confident

via Flickr

It’s amazing what clothes can do for you.  Not only does it leave an impression on those around you, but it also allows you to feel your best.  Looking good makes you feel good; it may be superficial, but the extra bit of confidence can really show.  If you appear confident, your clients or your boss will be confident in you and trust you.

I’ve always been told that you should dress for the job you want, and that’s what I try to follow.  When in the office, I mimic the level of professionalism my bosses exude, despite what my coworkers wear.  If you’re mentally going through your closet thinking it’s going to cost a fortune to get ready for your first job out of college, don’t worry.  You can build your work wardrobe as you go.  Target, H&M (opening in Tallahassee very soon!), Old Navy, Marshall’s, and other local and online stores are affordable and will usually last you a while. Still hurt on money, ask for work clothes as gifts; you know you’re getting old when you start asking Santa to help establish your work wardrobe. Get the essentials first, and eventually you’ll find your own work style. I’m still working on mine, too.

 

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