Hi, I am a 32 year old male who has recently transitioned from a really conservative office (where suits and ties were mandatory) to a work environment that is much more relaxed with its dress-code. I really enjoy this new environment because it’s filled with hard-working, fun-loving people and I love the challenge of figuring out new things but I’m a bit stumped in figuring out what to do with my daily attire in this new office. A suit and tie is just too much for this office but I’m not sure how to appropriately tone it down. Any suggestions? Dan Hey Dan, I can completely understand not wanting to stick out in this new office. Now, you didn’t mention just how dressed down this new office is but I’m assuming it’s somewhere under corporate formal and above wearing your jammies to the office. Does that sound about right? Here are a few quick recommendations: I’d suggest that you think about your career progression with this organization. Where are you looking to go with your career (in this organization) in the next 2 years? 5 years? 10 years? The point of asking this question is to define how your style will support this career progression in the short, medium and long term. Take cues from leaders in your organization. If leadship/executive status is where you’d like to be headed someday soon, you should always look to those above you for style cues. This doesn’t mean you need to look exactly like them but rather look at what they are doing and try to incorporate that into your own style. Remember that ol’ saying: dress for the job you want, not the job you have (an oldie but a goodie)! Look at your colleagues in the office. What are they doing? Although you may not like their style, you can definitely take a few pointers from what they are doing. For example, if it’s ok to wear jeans, maybe you should consider investing in a great pair of jeans that not only flatter your shape but are also appropriate for the office (see my specific tips below). Here are some specific tips: If jeans are acceptable in your office, a great pair of medium to dark wash jeans can be worn with a blazer (you can recycle a blazer or suit jacket from yoru previous formal work attire), a collared dress shirt and crewneck sweater. If you were used to wearing a very formal dress shoe to work, try something a bit more casual. Shoes are something that, in a relaxed work environment, can really play up parts of your personality that you may not have been able to show before. I’d opt for something that is a good transition between work-appropriate and casual. This will then take you from working at your desk to the spontaneous client meeting. I’d suggest a loafer or a suede oxford shoe (maybe in camel or something interesting like that). Depending on how comfortable you are, I’d suggest you experiment with different colours and patterns.
Do we really need to be talking about necklines again… apparently yes we do!
So, this post is a bit after the fact but I didn’t want to interrupt our guest blog series to bring you this “breaking news” (HA!). By now, some of you have read this story. If you haven’t, it’s an interesting read and you’ll surely have something to say when you have read it. I want to take this opportunity to share my opinion. As a business consultant who advises people and organizations on developing a positive professional presence, I feel that each of us should dress in a way that: Commands authority with staff and clients Provides a sense of approachability Inspires confidence in others I also believe that as business professionals, we need to make sure that we give our stakeholders every reason to see us as the credible experts that we are. So, with respect to Premier Clark, let me start by saying that I have no reason to believe that she lacks the essential leadership and decision-making skills to fulfill her role, and that I do believe that comments made about her attire were aimed at diminishing her credibility as a leader (not cool). Having said that, I also feel that cleavage should not be present in a conservative environment (like the provincial legislature). One of my main messages has always been that men and women need to understand and be aware of their body shape so that they can dress accordingly. This is true of both professional and casual settings. Here are a couple of examples to illustrate what I mean: A plus-sized man wears a pair of dress pants and dress shirt that are clearly too tight for him. In any work environment (casual or conservative-formal), overly form-fitting pants may be viewed as a distraction to others. When you can see a clear muffin top as well as ALL “features” below the belt-line, it looks unprofessional… not to mention uncomfortable and lacking in style. This is also not sending the right message to clients, that the individual takes time and effort to manage himself. In the eyes of many people, time and effort to manage yourself might equal time and effort to manage your client. You get the point… A tall, lean woman, who is well-endowed, is wearing a skirt that is about 5-6 inches above her knee and a fitted knit turtleneck sweater. If this person works in a formal work environment, her attire – while not too revealing – would probably be considered inappropriate. Again, this clothing choice would be distracting to others and would most definitely not send the right message. “Why does one need to show THAT much leg in a conservative work environment?” might be what some people would think. In both cases, these looks are equally unprofessional. Now, this brings us to a different point. Both examples above outline unprofessional attire but you’re probably thinking that the female in this example would get more flak or be viewed much more unfavourably than the man. And, unfortunately, you would
Creating a Successful Professional Style: A Male Perspective (Part 3 of 3)
Here’s our last (sniff) post from the stylish, guest-blogger, Art Magnaye. Thank you Art for your insightful posts… The next time you are downtown take a glance downward. In contrast to the fairer of our species, for most men, shoes are an afterthought…something to protect your feet from the hot pavement (or to cover those nasty toes). Even those men who profess to like their shoes (and spend a great deal of money on them), I submit, don’t. Let me explain. First let me qualify what I mean when talking about shoes. What I am not referring to with the generic term of “shoes” are work boots, tennis shoes, runners, the vintage Air Jordans you just had to have on eBay, etc. The shoes I will be talking about are dress shoes (again like pants I will be shortening dress shoes to just shoes – it’s easier). Shoes anchor the wardrobe. A $1000 suit with a designer label will look like a “Fit-Right” special with bad shoes. Conversely a $300 suit can look awesome with the right shoe. Don’t believe me – ask any woman? Shoes are going to be one of the first things she notices (usually). As men, we’re pretty lucky when it comes to shoes. First off, men’s shoes are comfortable – or should be. NEVER, EVER even contemplate buying uncomfortable shoes – life is too short. They will not “break-in” or “soften” to the point of comfort. If they pinch – they will always pinch. If they’re tight – they will always be tight. I have made this mistake – please do not follow my lead. Secondly, for the most part, men’s styles don’t change drastically over the years. If you buy the right shoes (and take reasonable care of them) you can have them for many years. The one downside is that quality men’s footwear is not cheap. No where else in the male wardrobe do you get exactly what you pay for (usually). That $2000 designer suit I’ll wager has a hefty ad campaign as well as the expense of paying the handsome actor with a cleft in his chin to wear it on the red carpet. Furthermore, its construction will not be any better than the $500 department store suit (a hand canvassed bespoke model is a topic for another post). While the well heeled of us (pun intended) can afford to pay 4 figures for shoes, these will not usually be constructed any better than a shoe at half that price. What one will be paying for is a softer leather or skin from some endangered species (ick!) or at the most extravagant – bespoke. However, the right $400 shoe will be constructed light years better than the $200 shoe and will last several times longer. Shoes are the only part of your wardrobe which I believe you must really spend your money – you really do get what you pay for. If it fits, an inexpensive suit can still look great