(Continued from Page 4) Below are the three major classes of business dress. Keep in mind, however, that different companies and different positions demand a specific style. 1- Casual: In a formal business setting, this should not extend beyond a shirt without a tie or a polo shirt and khakis. In such an environment, denim, shorts, T-shirts, and open-toe sandals are not acceptable. However, in more informal, often younger business settings, such attire may indeed be permissible. 2- Semi-formal: A nice dress shirt with an optional tie, good quality chinos or trousers, and a sports coat is highly recommended. 3- Formal: A tailor-made suit, impeccably pressed shirt and conservative tie is the norm. Pinstripe is a great choice, and a vest is a nice addition as well. For formal wear, it’s not recommended to mix and match blazers with trousers. Keep it uniform.
money. Here are other things you should keep in mind: • Have an array of dress shirts. This helps your image if you don’t own a top-of-the-line suit. They also make your suits look different, as a shirt can give a suit a whole new spin. Just make sure they match perfectly. • Overdress. If you’re the boss, it’s almost expected. But dress up within reason. Don’t do it in a “showing off” manner with prominently displayed designer labels, an abundance of jewelry, and needless accessories flowing out of your pockets. • Don’t wear too much jewellery. If you want to wear jewellery, keep it down to a watch and one ring; that’s it. • Properly groom yourself from head to toe. Your hair should always be kept neat, and should not extend below your shirt collar. Keep any facial hair properly groomed. Make sure your fingernails are always trimmed and clean. Apply some cologne that complements your personality -but don’t overdo it, as it can be a real turn off. • Keep your shoes clean. Few things dignify a man as much as polished shoes. Dirty shoes can throw off your seemingly pol-
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ished appearance. Have fresh breath, but avoid having gum or candy in your mouth. Sprays and strips will do the job. Tie your necktie in a good, solid knot, such as Windsor or double Windsor. The four-in-hand is plain and unimpressive. Have high-quality, useful accessories, like pens, briefcases, and portfolios. A leather-cover notepad looks a lot cooler than a PDA. Adapt to the work environment, and take it up a notch. If workers wear jeans, you can wear nice pants. If they wear polos, go for stylish dress shirts.
Just one more way to stand out
Casual wear was meant to boost productivity by making workers feel more at ease, but resulted in confusion and a decrease in professionalism. It was an interesting effort, but it created more problems than it helped solve. More and more people are opting for the old Wall Street way of dressing for work: the suit and tie. If you keep it looking good, in addition to working well, this will be one more way for you to stand out from your co-workers. Believe me, it won’t go unnoticed.
Other tips to look the part
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