Dr. Know
What is Appropriate These Days?
By: Candi Young
Whether you are going in for an interview or getting ready for work, everyday we all must consult our closet for what is appropriate to wear. It seems that lately, fashion has lead us (and I’m talking mostly to the women here) to the idea that less is better. While this may be true as the summer months inch closer, should this carry over into the workplace?
According to Scott Reeves with Forbes.com there is a separation between what you wear at home/going out and what you should be wearing to work, for those of you with a more professional job. According to Scott, many companies simply have no set rules for what to wear and a common mistake that is made is to “underdress.” When picking out your work attire there are “three basic points” to remember: “Presentation counts, casual shouldn’t mean slovenly, and dress as you want to be seen: serious, upward-bound and ready to meet clients.”
So what exactly is appropriate for ladies in professional careers today? A few of the examples given are “skirts that hit just above the knee” or longer, “pantsuits/slacks and polished flats or heels.” Lately, I’ve had a hard time finding comfortable skirts that should not be worn anywhere other than a beach. I share the frustration in fashionable versus work-appropriate. A common complaint that I hear around the office is that some women are showing up to work with shirts that are too low and that it is not appropriate.
For men, it is suggested to wear “button down shirts, polished shoes, slacks, a conservative tie and black or blue socks.” Notice, guys, how white socks are not included in this list! Also, be sure to take cues from what the majority of people are wearing around the office. However, “it is better to overdress” at first. If you are overdressed, usually a co-worker will be kind enough to let you know that you can stop showing them up.
The main point here is that dressing like you are going out for the evening has a time and a place – in the club or out on the town. When you are in an interview or on the first day at your new job, “overcoming a bad first impression is as difficult as un-ringing a bell.” Wearing the wrong outfit can definitely leave a bad first impression. So when in doubt, leave those party clothes at home and choose your most conservative option! Good luck to those of you that are about to graduate and beginning the search for the perfect job!