It used to be easy to dress for work. If you were a male, you wore a suit or sports jacket; if you were a female, you wore a dress, skirt and blouse, or a suit. You woke up each workday and knew just what was expected of you.
Somewhere in the 1990's, all that changed. Casual Fridays and Internet startups brought on a new phase of undisciplined dress that made it difficult to know who was working and who had the day off. With the current employment shifts from dot.coms and startups to more traditional sectors and industries, it's worthwhile to review appropriate dress for the workplace.
Professional business attire is the standard within governmental organizations and traditional industries such as banking, law, accounting, and insurance. It is wise to check with the organization to identify their dress preferences. Or, evaluate the workplace first hand during the lunch hour or close of business.
What is appropriate business attire? Clean and pressed suit, dress shirt, a tie, dress shoes, and appropriate hosiery for men. A suit, skirt and jacket, or dress, dress shoes, and hosiery for women.
If your research turns up a dress code of jeans, shorts, and sandals, ask specifics on how you should dress for a meeting or interview with the organization. If casual business attire is indicated, it means a quality sport shirt (no logos) for men as well as a good pair of slacks, often a sports jacket, and good shoes (not boat shoes). Women should wear quality slacks and tailored shirt, sweater set, or matching jacket to slacks and quality flats.
It's easy to feel professional when you look professional!
Send questions or comments to: rkaplan@job-resources.com
Copyright © Robbie Miller Kaplan. All rights reserved.
Revised: August 31, 2002
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