Letters & Opinion
Bare
The Pointer
rking163@uwsp.edu
Well guys, here is your final installment of your very own step-by-step guide to dressing for success.
Recap:
A man’s style is primarily defined by his confidence. Some of us are born with it and others acquire it over time. This confidence does not simply come from what you wear; it is also who you are.
Building the perfect wardrobe does not have to be hard or cost you a lot of money. Just remember these five dress codes: corporate, casual, business appropriate, business appropriate casual and play clothes.
Before we can tackle the other four categories, you need to do three things:
1) Assess your closet. Look at this like writing a paper: the better organized you are, the easier it is to write. Therefore, the better organized your closet, the less likely you are to wear something that is inappropriate for your new workplace. Try to arrange them in two categories: “work and play,” or if you prefer, “week and weekend.”
2) De-clutter your closet. Now that you have hung and folded all the clothes in your closet and can see the floor, look and see what you actually wear and what you don’t. Now, get rid of the latter. This includes sports coats that are too big, pants that are too small and ties with soup stains that just won’t come out.
3) Renew your closet. With all of the offending clothing gone, look to see what you are missing. Make sure that you have enough shirts, pants, plenty of ties and, don’t forget, suits. Before you head to the mall to go shopping, there is one thing that you need to do first: go to a formal wear store and get measured. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Your clothes tell your story. What you wear to an interview does not have to be flashy or be a name brand. It is better that the interviewer hardly notices what you’re wearing after he or she sizes you up for the first time. Remember, first impressions are important, but you are not there to sell them on your wardrobe. You are there to get the job.
The suit: A single-breasted, dark navy blue, charcoal gray or neutral colored suit is suitable for most, if not all, business occasions. The hem of the pant should break at the top of the shoes and the jacket sleeve should end at the joint between the wrist and hand.
The shirt: A well-ironed, all-cotton, white, light or dark blue shirt with a buttoned-down collar is the best choice to wear with your suit. The shirt cuff should extend one-fourth to one-half inch below the jacket sleeve.
The tie: A silk tie with a simple stripe or repeating pattern works best. Most importantly, the end of the tie should fall to the middle of the belt buckle.
The shoes: A pair of polished “wingtips” in the appropriate color (black or brown) send a more polished signal. Do not wear white socks or those little black ankle socks with dress shoes. Socks should match your pants and be long enough to cover your shins.
Hair, etc.: If your mother has mentioned your need for a haircut, heed her warning. If you have a beard/mustache/goatee, you will want to have it neatly trimmed. Oh! If you choose to wear cologne or aftershave, wear it sparingly as not to produce too strong of a scent.
How you dress for an interview is one thing, but what you wear to work is an entirely different beast and can be more difficult. Dressing for the interview involves looking the part and instantly communicating that you belong on the team. Once you get the job, it is even more important to maintain that appearance.
No industry standard will help you pick the foolproof work wardrobe. Different companies often have their own standards, but these general guidelines tend to remain constant.
Academic: While suits are not out of the question, most teachers/professors generally go for the casual look: button-down shirts with a tie, sweaters with khaki pants and, occasionally, jeans.
Accounting: If you are in the corporate world, three-piece suits are best. But for all other accounting titles you may be able to get away with khakis and a sports coat and sometimes even jeans.
Advertising: Like with most of the media fields, the dress code tends to be corporate, but be creative. Looking sharp in a nice pair of dress pants and dress shirt should do the trick. As with any casual or corporate environment, always keep a sports coat and an extra tie in the office.
Financial: The dress code for the banking industry has eased up a bit, so you might not have to wear a suit. However, you should remain at least business casual.
How you dress during your career is often based on what level you have attained or hope to attain. Just make sure your clothes are as ready as you are to climb the ladder of success.
