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Many men overlook the simple unwritten dress code in their workplace, and may not even realize it exists! So what is appropriate wear in the office? Well, that depends on several factors, including profession, seniority, and company culture. A good way to know what is appropriate is to emulate what the boss wears. If he wears a suit, you should too. If he is in jeans and a t-shirt, then you can be too.
There is a reason that people frequently toss around the phrase Dress-For-Success. Endless studies have shown that how you dress can have a direct correlation to how fast you are promoted. Below are some of the major mistakes to avoid.
Avoid Wearing the 1st Pair of Socks that You can Find!
Do you just pick up the first pair of socks you can find from your sock drawer & wear it to work irrespective of what clothes you are wearing? As inconspicuous as you may think socks are, they do contribute to your overall look.
If you are wearing a suit, do not wear white tennis socks with it. Instead, wear dark dress socks that match the suit. You may be wondering how anyone could make that mistake, but it is surprisingly common. Never wear navy socks with anything but navy suits, where you can wear charcoal or black socks with most anything, and gray goes well with most things as well. Brown, tan, or beige socks should only be worn with brown shoes, and a suit that matches the color directly.
Drop That Backpack!
If you are one of those dear sweet men who carry a backpack to work, please stop. You wouldn't take a briefcase on a hiking trip! No matter how comfortable it is, it is out of place and quite frankly, it looks ridiculous. Match the color of your briefcase to the color of your belt and shoes. Black goes with anything, except brown.
Keep Novelty Ties for Fun Times!
Novelty ties belong to play time, not work time. Please wear a solid color or striped tie that complements both your shirt and your jacket. Make sure you choose a tie with fabric that matches your suit. For example, a silk tie looks silly with a heavy wool suit. Make sure your ties are made from complementary fabrics. This will make you look more professional and should help when it comes time for a promotion!
Keep the Look Clean
Please, men, get your suits dry cleaned regularly. If you show up for work in wrinkled, smelly, or stained suits nobody will take you seriously, and it may actually get you into trouble. Swapping suits regularly will help keep them in excellent shape, and will also make you appear far more professional.
Match it Right!
Also, remember to always match your outfits by color. Do not wear brown or navy with black; it clashes and looks ridiculous. Wear brown with brown, and navy with navy. Black and gray can be mixed appropriately. Pick ties that match or compliment your suit colors, and always use a briefcase, not a backpack.
Remember, the importance of Dressing for Success cannot be underestimated. It isn't just a cliche, it is real, and it really impacts your chances for success in the professional world. You want to be on the fast track for a promotion, then dress for it! Always remember to emulate the boss, but don't copy him exactly or you will be perceived as annoying by coworkers.
About the AuthorPohl is a regular author on articles related to business, career, etiquette, and fashion. He suggests you visit cheap neckties - a tie retailer that will offer many inexpensive options to help you dress for success. It will also teach you How to Match Shirt and Neck Ties.
