Dressing the Part: Office Attire

Posted by Julie Shenkman in Retail • Apr 26, 2007

Whether you’ve just landed your first accounting position or you’re a seasoned professional, your attire at work matters. Clothing is part of presenting a polished image, and it can significantly affect your career advancement potential. Ninety-three percent of senior executives recently polled in a survey developed by our company said dress influences a professional’s chances of being promoted.

But the results of the survey don’t mean you need to spend a fortune or become a fashion slave to earn that promotion. Dressing well can be as simple as selecting flattering, non-distracting clothing that matches your company’s corporate culture. Here are some guidelines to help you dress smart at work:

• Why does attire matter? While your career trajectory is certainly based on your accomplishments, dressing appropriately can give you an extra leg up. A polished appearance helps establish instant credibility, and companies tend to promote those who make a positive impression. If you dress unprofessionally, it may be hard for others to take you seriously, and you may not receive the respect your achievements merit. Tasteful dress enables your supervisor to visualize you in that plum position you are seeking.

• What is appropriate? Dress codes vary by employer, and can range from suits-only to jeans on Fridays to business casual every day. If you’ve just started a new job and are unsure of the company standard, it’s wise to err on the conservative side rather than appear too casual. Remember, your clothing should present a professional image and not be flashy or distracting. For women, this means avoiding low-cut or see-through blouses, short skirts or high slits. Men should avoid wild prints on their shirts or ties. Clothing that is wrinkled, stained, or poorly fitting may give the impression that you lack attention to detail.

• What about business casual? Many workplaces have adopted a business casual policy in recent years, whether it is in place daily or reserved only for Fridays. If your workplace is casual, it’s important to remember that you must still appear professional. Some good options include shirts with collars, short- or long-sleeved blouses, long pants, loafers or casual flats. If jeans are allowed, wear a more formal pair rather than your comfy weekend favorites.

About Accountemps This article was provided by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International. As the industry leader and expert in temporary financial staffing, the company provides an array of resources to job seekers, including salary data, job search tips, advice on which skills are in demand, and online courses providing continuing professional education credits. Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.

Woodie Oglesby • Jan 8, 2010

I have the tendency to overdress. I have a hard time deciding what to wear to an interview. I find that I am usually more professionally dressed than the interviewer. On two occassions, I have had prospective employers tell me I was dressed far too professionally for the business. I did get one of those jobs and kept it for 11 years -

David LaRue • Dec 22, 2009

thanks great information.

Steve Bernstein • Aug 4, 2009

Well said. I have always dressed professionally in any office environment. I have found that I develop the attitude to match the attire. I have been taught that if one wants to stand out for advancement, always dress for the position desired. It will be noticed and make a difference when promotions are considered. When in doubt, dress up. Under dressing is alwaya a faux pas.

Colleen Martin • Jul 31, 2009

A good rule of thumb always is to dress two levels/paygrades or for the position that you want (being realistic).If you need training, a certification, degree, more experience get it! Volunteer to help your boss, assist on a project team, attend training workshops provided by your employer, check into tuition reimbursement programs and evening and weekend education options. Be sure to clear things with your boss of course!Your professional attire, exposure to more of the organization and willingness to help out (even if it's filing a thousand pieces of paper when scanning would make more sense) builds an internal network of goodwill and support, as well as a professional perspective.I just cannot figure out how the gentleman above feels he is in a position to judge how the HR Director and staff dress where he interviewed. He lacks professionalism and ethics and demonstrated so when he decided skipping through a stack of resumes/applications on the HR Director's desk.I would work for a director in a short skirt and flip flops that I could trust before I'd work for him. I'm appalled he did this and then posted it?

Anony • Jul 30, 2009

I work in the Legal Dept. of Homeland Security, as a senior legal secretary. The lead secretary dresses very un-businesslike: wears tennis shoes and the same jeans every day (or has many pairs of the same faded color!), a non-descript shirt --not even a blouse, but some kind of plain, solid black or white t-shirt -- and wears her hair in a "running late to see a baseball game" kind of bun. She doesn't try to look anything resembling "professional" but like she's going to hit the floor in a breakdance any moment. It pisses me off b/c I feel she's disrespecting me, by making me or my profession seem worthless. I work hard. I go beyond every day for my attorneys. But her attire gives the impression that we are only workhorses, with no intellectual capital to offer. That's what makes me angry and resent her. I dress in knee length skirts and spring style dresses with blazers or a casual pantsuit. She hasn't gotten any better since I started 7 months ago. She may even be dressing worse. She's a passive aggressive type of personality, to boot. In all fairness, this woman is good at her job, but she's not "outstanding." If she were on vacation for a month, the dept. would operate just fine without her. I just think it was a decision where the manager had no choice but to promote her when the position opened up, b/c she's been there the longest. That's a federal job for you. She doesn't have a college degree, but more importantly, she's not mature or polished enough to be a good example to other employees, or on the secretaries' behalf. To me, how you present yourself is No. 1 or 2 in leadership skills, so I don't buy all the way into "don't dress better than your supervisor." Weigh the situation wisely. Regardless of my supervisor's position, I cannot see myself dressing down to fit in under her. No way.

Beverly Cantrell • Jun 4, 2009

Thank you, the article was very informative. I especially appreciate the paragraph on casual wear. I do always try to look my best but it is very helpful to see something written on it.

Jeff Fischer • Apr 15, 2009

Good post. I just came back from a job interview in Colordo where the HR Director showed up in jeans, a GAP V-cut T-shirt and 6" high heels. The atmosphere is described as business casual. In the walk about it looked more than unemployment city. Obscene remarks on T-shirts and very short skirts on women who could hardly talk a sentence because they were too busy texting about partying after work. The core issue-- quality customer service. When I asked about a dress code and enforcement, the HR Director said, it has been tried and never accomplished anything. Behind her was a box of resumes that I sorted through while she went to make a personal telephone call (during the interview) that included several doctoral degreed candidates willing to work flexible schedules, masters degrees and numerous bachelor degreed candidates. These were the rejects. The turnover in this company is over 300%. Their next closest competitor has a turnover rate of less than 38% and an enforced dress code and it has eliminated casual Fridays. Is there a message there to corporate America?

Paul Larson • Apr 8, 2009

San Diego and Hawaii are the capitals of casual and the slide into slovenly is very easy around here. No one knows what it means. Business casual has come to mean lazy and it should be banned for that reason. Too often it means wearing your GOOD flipflops and hearing the thwapping of each step around your cubicle. Its maddening! Golf and polo shirts are an easy choice and pressed slack and shined shoes are a must. Do not fall below that standard! There are better color choices in dress shirts and button down collars are always good form. Also stay with darker colors to be more conservative. Dress better than your boss, but not too often. If you know when a suit can be too much, then hang up the coat and roll up your sleeves, its time to get busy.Ladies have more freedom but just be modest as a rule. Keep it classy and keep us guessing. Avoid wearing your hair like a horse (ponytail) unless it is that one day when you can't avoid being late, and then use a cute tie or scarf. Brushing it is always good. Tell your bosses you want logo wear for good company or department spirit. Its not very expensive and solves the whole "casual " dilemma with sharp results. Mandatory for front line staffs. Stay classy, San Diego!

Geetha Arveti • Mar 13, 2009

Very good article. Yes presentation always polishes image. I have always presented myself in the same way as the article presented. I am looking ahead to continue the same with my next job.

Carol McCoun • Mar 13, 2009

This article was very helpful to me. I didn't know what business casual attire included until now. Thank you, I appreciate your help.

Dressing the Part: Office Attire

You Might Also Be Interested In

Jobs to Watch