Beth Braccio Hering,
In a 2010 national poll conducted by the Center for
Professional Excellence at York College of Pennsylvania, "appearance"
ranked second only to "communication skills" when respondents named
qualities most often associated with professionalism. "How an individual
dresses for work can be a powerful extension of his personal brand,"
says Matthew Randall, executive director of the CPE. "Clothes,
accessories and even the footwear an employee chooses to wear help to
reinforce or diminish his skills and qualities in the eyes of his
employer, co-workers and clients."
Universal dress rules can't be
set in stone, because what is considered appropriate varies by
workplace, field and what is happening on a given day. But if such a
tablet were to be created, there's a good chance it would include the
following:
1. Modesty is a virtue.
Get noticed for your great work, not your tight pants, overdone makeup, short skirt or cleavage-revealing shirt.
"Nothing
undermines how you are perceived in business as leaving nothing to the
imagination," says Chris Hauri, founder of Mirror Image, a Chicago-based
image and identity consultancy.
2. Keep holy the casual Friday.
Yes, the workweek is almost done -- the key word being almost.
"Casual Fridays are a recipe for fashion disasters," says Lizandra
Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land
the Job You Want." Don't jump the gun by wearing your weekend plans,
whether that be catching some rays in a halter top and short shorts or
cleaning out the garage in your college sweatshirt and cut-offs.
3. Thou shalt wear the right shoes.
Your
feet should look prepared for work. Vega suggests skipping flip-flops
and other open-toe shoes, while Hauri notes, "High high heels may be
fashionable, but not for actually working. Image conveyed: I can't pitch
in and do any work because I really can't walk in these things. Want to
be a team player? Wear flats."
4. Honor thy leaders.
Not
sure what is appropriate for casual Friday or a client meeting? Look
around. "The wisest employees often observe and take cues from the most
respected individuals within their organization on what is appropriate
workplace attire," Randall says.
5. Thou shalt not steal thy boss's tie.
Keep
in mind that taking cues from those above does not mean replicating
their wardrobe piece for piece. Instead of coming off as a lemming, find
comparable styles, colors and accessories that work for you.
6. Control thy festiveness.
Wearing
seasonal colors is one thing, looking like Santa's elf is another.
Randall recalls a story about a co-worker who exuberantly
over-accessorized her outfits to fit the holidays. "Her overzealousness
caused her co-workers to snicker, and she became unofficially known as
'the walking calendar.' Moral of the story: Your workplace wardrobe
should enhance your professional skills and qualities, not detract from
them."
7. Remember the good book.
Whether you are
questioning what constitutes an acceptable variation of a uniform or
wondering about the company's stance on jeans, chances are the employee
handbook has the answer. Still trying to decide if you should cover up a
tattoo? Seek the advice of a trusted mentor, human resources
representative or immediate supervisor.
8. Thou shalt notice what year it is.
Congratulations
on taking such good care of your clothing that items from 1983 are
still "fine" today. Now put these relics in the Goodwill box where they
should have landed years ago. While one need not be a fashionista,
looking outdated can give the impression that you lack fresh ideas.
9. Err on the side of caution.
Worried
that your casual Friday outfit might be too relaxed or that a bright
orange shirt might not be received well by a new client? Avoid the
guesswork and the corresponding nervousness by making safer choices
when in doubt.
10. Dress for the job thou want.
A
final tidbit: "My advice for everyone, no matter what age or gender, is
to dress for the job you want, not the one you're in," Hauri says.
"Unless you're happy with where you are, which is just fine."