Corporate Dressing For Men

Your IMAGE is in your hands; make it work for YOU, not against you.

“Pehle darshan dhari, baad mein goon vichaari”

This popular Hindi adage signifies that the first impression created by the visual image of a person is extremely important. It is only after we are satisfied with one's visual appeal that we explore further for other qualities in the person. Image Building has evolved to become the need of every professional in order to ensure success in his/her role and to achieve goals. Projecting the right image paves the way to smooth completion of your project(s) by winning minds and approvals in black and white.

Where the market is overflowing with talent, taking an extra step to leave your mark in the mind of your employer, team, client or associate is of fundamental importance. The way you look to a great extent dictates the punch line that gets registered against your name at your work place. Corporate dressing and grooming today is one major insurer of a sustained impression and thus a more secure job tenure... because first impression is the lasting impression and you might never get a second chance with that.

In today’s competitive world, we have only a few seconds to create the desired impression. The way you present yourself has a profound impact on your career and opportunities whether it is the outcome of an interview, a business meeting or relationship building within your teams that is at stake. Your image draws your profile and priority in the other's mind. It is up to you to decide how you want to be profiled and how high on one's priority list you want to be. It is only when the image is acceptable that one explores further for other qualities in a person. Whether you like it or not you are judged by the way you dress, carry and portray yourself. Within a few seconds, people draw a conclusion about your:

ü  Personality Traits

ü  Competence

ü  Authority

ü  Intelligence

ü  Financial Success

ü  Reliability

ü  Deserving for Promotion

A neatly dressed and well groomed employee instantly wins check-marks on respect and reliability from his employer and team. Your appearance, cleanliness, grooming and attire speak loads about who you are, your personality, attitude and attention to detail. In fact, attention to detail is an important aspect of dressing appropriately for work, an investment that pays back handsomely.

Most organizations expect and appreciate employees who dress appropriately as per the prevalent work culture. It is not necessary that you have to wear your business suits every day. A crisp white shirt teamed with a black well fit trouser can give you that desired professional look. Corporate dressing does not necessarily mean flaunting designer business suits but to dress appropriately in line with the organization culture.

Another point to be considered is, there could be many different types of events and occasions at work, like business meetings, cocktails, team meetings. fundraisers, CEO visits, cultural events, casual luncheons or a normal work day, Each occasion calls for a different dress code and style that can be arrived at with a skillful mix and match of your existing wardrobe without blowing your wallet. It is important to pick the right style, colors, and accessories so you make the impact and statement you intend to. While deciding your attire you would ensure your personal comfort as well, so pick a style that goes with the day in hand and at the same time lends you the level of physical comfort and mobility that would enhance your efficiency at work keeping in mind the local weather and the type of role(s) you have in hand. Never wear casuals to work unless the occasion calls for it. Dressing formally helps to create the right professional image and highlights your presence and personality. An individual with a pleasing personality can easily charm anyone and win minds over. Doesn't that mean your job is done? An employee who looks charming gets noticed easily by seniors, gets counted, remembered and invited into business meetings and other important occasions because when people like the way you look, smell and carry yourself, they desire to spend more time with you and want you to be with them more often.

While deciding on your attire, keep in mind your height, weight and complexion. This helps pick the right colors, fits and fabrics for you that will highlight your pluses and camouflage the minuses in your looks. What suits your colleague might not be the best choice for you, so do your research before picking a suit, tie, pair of trousers, and your hairstyle for that matter. It is important that you do not carry something on you that feels like a burden but rather choose the alternative that makes you feel confident and good about your looks. When you feel confident, others get those vibes from you, and it becomes easy to convince them on to your point of view. Make sure you are always clean, fresh, fragrant and hygienic, that your clothes fit you well. Remember, you need to feel good about the way you look. Also make sure you stand out and get noticed by seniors. As a manager you need to create the inspiration and culture you want your team to inculcate and follow.

Here are a few valuable tips towards dressing perfectly for your work place:

PROFESSIONAL DRESSING:

• Neutral colors such as blue, grey, white, khaki, black are the safe bets and chime well in a corporate setting. Avoid wearing gaudy party shirts to work. Do not wear too loud a color or too bold a pattern. Subtle colors and pastel shades definitely look good in an office environment. Plain shirts are always in style but you can also go for shirts in stripes, checks or micro-checks. 
• Colors such as red, yellow, orange are usually not preferred.
• Polka dots shirts or shirts with sequins are a strict no-no.
• Avoid wearing short sleeves to work. Full sleeves shirts look professional on any work occasion. Make sure your sleeves touch the base of your hand. Do not roll up sleeves at work. Wear one that fits you well and makes you look well-maintained and healthy. Your shirt should not be too tight. You should be able to button your shirt properly without any gaps. Know your size before you shop for work, and positively try clothes on instead of assuming the look they lend you. If you have someone with you then ask for an opinion.
• Take care of the fit of the trouser. Slim fit or flat front trousers in solid colors such as grey, black, blue look best at workplaces. Avoid baggy trousers as they tend to make you looks lazy and sloppy.
• Your clothes should always be clean, wrinkle free and neatly ironed.
• Shoes should be polished. Keep a shoe shiner handy. Prefer dark leather shoes (Black or Brown) with black laces. Wear dark colored socks to work. Do not wear sports shoes or sneakers to work unless the occasion or the work culture there appreciates casuals.
• Avoid wearing chunky necklaces or too many bracelets to work. If possible, remove all other rings except your wedding ring. Find an alternative hidden way to wear the others if you have to.
• Wear a tie unless you are going for business casual. Remember your tie should complement your overall look. Silk ties are always a safe bet. Do not wear ties in loud colors or jazzy patterns. The tip of your tie should touch your belt buckles.
• Do not wear flashy belts with broad buckles. Wear leather belts in dark colors, preferably black or brown.
• Do not carry a thick wallet or keep your car keys in visible pockets as they disrupt the neat outline of your carefully streamlined professional look.
• If you wear glasses or shades, make sure your choice of the same is intelligent so they complement your face. Go for an elegant pick.

It is important that while taking into consideration all the above, you do not blindly copy others. Instead, study yourself and your choices well and evolve a style of your own that goes with your specifics and makes you stand out. 

GET NOTICED, GET HIRED, GET ALL EYES ON YOU!