Business Attire Description
To be taken seriously as a professional, you have to look the part. Wearing professional attire suited for your work environment shows that you take your job seriously and gives others reason to have confidence in your skills. Knowing what's considered proper business attire will help you when getting dressed for work. Does this Spark an idea?
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Men's Business Attire
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In an office setting, men should wear a conservative navy, black or gray suit. The suit should be solid or pinstriped. For a dress shirt, wear a long-sleeve solid blue or white shirt. Vibrant colors and patterns distract from your professionalism. Wear silk ties and stay clear of advertisements or fictional characters. Make sure shoes are polished, and shoes with laces are more professional looking than slip-ons. A belt should closely resemble your shoes. Do not overload on jewelry.
Women's Business Attire
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For office attire, women should wear a skirted suit or pantsuit for a professional look. Wear hosiery; neutral or light-toned pantyhose work best. Avoid wearing dark-colored hosiery with light-colored outfits. A skirt shouldn't be more than 2 inches above the knee. Pants should end before the top of the foot or shoe. Blouses and sweaters should not be low cut or reveal any of the waistline. When it comes to shoes, low heels are a better option than high heels or flats. Avoid sandals or open-toed shoes. As for accessories, keep jewelry to a minimum.
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Casual Business Attire
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Business casual doesn't mean you can show up to work in sweatpants and a T-shirt. For business-casual attire, dress neatly and stay clear of wrinkled or ratty clothing. Keep away from blue jeans, shorts and T-shirts. For footwear, avoid sandals or sneakers. For men, business-casual attire can include khakis or slacks with a collared shirt, such as a button-down shirt. A tie isn't necessary. Shoes can include loafers or oxfords. Business casual for women includes slacks, button-down shirts, skirts and pantsuits. Acceptable shoes include loafers, flats and low-heeled shoes.
Other Settings
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There are other environments besides an office where proper attire must be worn. In these settings, business clothes depend on the type of work. In health care, employees have a strict rule of dress for the health of their patients. Health care workers most often don scrubs, lab coats or nurse uniforms. Showing toes is not allowed, nor is wearing perfume or dangling jewelry.
For blue-collar jobs, such as working in industrial environments, employees must follow their companies' policies. Often protective eyewear and shoes with steel toes are mandatory.
Things to Remember
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Business attire differs from workplace to workplace. Clothing will vary depending on your industry and the level of your job. Attire also will depend on what part of the country you hail from.
Following certain steps can help you along the way to getting dressed in the morning. Check with your human resources department on dress codes. Having something in writing will make decisions on how to dress that much easier. Remember your audience. What you wear says a lot, and dressing properly shows you fit in. Wear clothes your boss and clients or customers would expect to see you in. Avoid shortcuts such as putting on dirty or wrinkled clothes if you are running late in the morning. Use common sense and plan ahead by laying out your clothes the night before.
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