CORPORATE ATTIRE FOR MEN

If you don't want  to be perceived as radical, you should always dress according  to  the  type  of  work  you  do. Conservative careers warrant conservative dress. While this rule has taken a relaxed stance over the last few years, it's still very much in effect. Mostly, this is to put your clients at ease. Picture a banker:  Would  you  trust  him  with  your hard-earned money  if he were wearing jeans and sandals?

On the other hand, liberal professions call for a more laid-back wardrobe. Some of these people are actually suspiciously regarded when they dress too conventionally. For example,  only  studio  executives  are  expected  to  wear  suits  to  work  in  Hollywood.

Filmmakers who do so are immediately believed to lack creativity. With the advent of the dot-com industry, casual dress was spurred forward. In a short time, the trend took over and conservative businesses encouraged their employees to be more lax in their attire. But with the Internet hemorrhage of late, it seems like the trend is now back to suits.

THE RULES: Know your environment

Rest assured, you don't need to wear navy pinstripes all  the  time.  When  summer  comes,  you  can  wear lighter colors and still project power. If the area you live in is home to a tropical climate, you can still wear all the colors you want, just choose lighter fabrics. Just remember  that  short-sleeve  dress  shirts  became extinct  in  the  '60s  and  you  should  never  be  seen wearing one at work.

THE RULES: Men can accessorize too!

In addition to color coordination (yes, your tie should match your shirt), you should take great care in your tie selection process. Solid colors and striped ties are essential as they are stylish and still conservative. If you want to be more aggressive, pick out designer ties or funkier patterns.

Remember that this is power dressing, not I-want-to-be-a-wallflower dressing. You're the man and you want everybody to know it. Think about business gods like Bernard Arnault and Larry Ellison and the impact their appearance makes.

If you don't accessorize, you are not a serious power dresser. It would be like putting on a façade over a hollow shell. You need to play the part all the way. Cufflinks and tiepins are  always  noticed.  They  are  accessories  that  don't  necessarily  fill  an  indispensable function but they certainly get spotted. Wear cologne that  is rooted  in tradition and doesn't scream for attention.

THE RULES: Not neglect the shoes

Again, you must be stylish through and through. While comfort should definitely be one of the deciding factors, aim for leather footwear. If possible, avoid rubber soles and opt for leather ones instead. Black, brown and oxblood (i.e. burgundy) are your color options.

Always make sure they are properly shined, as dirty luxurious shoes are as useful  as wearing Bermuda shorts to a board meeting. You can even take advantage of these shoe-shining moments to catch up on the office gossip. Shoe shining professionals are fountains of knowledge as they're constantly present during people's conversations.

THE RULES: Quality

It's a given that your clothes should look good but you shouldn't discard quality. It's easy to save a few dollars for something that looks good but that would never pass a quality insurance test. Spend a little more money to get garments that will not only last you a long time but will enhance your image. Tailor-made suits and shirts of high-quality fabrics don't just cost more; they'll make you feel different in all respects. You'll look better and feel a lot classier. Quality is worth it.

THE RULES: Dressing Goals

Before  slipping  into  your  clothes,  take  a  moment  to  ask  yourself  what  you  want  to achieve with this particular attire. Do you want to intimidate a colleague? Do you want to  impress a superior? Or perhaps  you want to put a  client at  ease? Whatever  your objective,  you must unquestionably think about  it beforehand and establish a game plan to sort out all the details. You might even want to reconsider how your nails and facial hair are presented. 

CORPORATE ATTIRE FOR WOMEN

Dressing isn't what it used to be. In years past, professionals were trapped in dull business attire, even  while  attending after-work  events.  But in today's more colorful corporate world you shouldn't feel trapped by a basic-black-and-pearls dress code. New options, fashion experts say, include colourful leather blazers, must -have  bags  and  briefcases, and gorgeous  scarves  and  accessories.  When updating  your spring  wardrobe  to  incorporate  stylish  casual  flair,  make certain  that  your  everyday  professional  look  is  polished, office-friendly (for  your specific  work  environment)  and  on point.

THE RULES: Corporate Attire

There are two  levels of business attire:  Business professional (the most conservative corporate dress) and informal business professional   (a  more  relaxed  version  of   the  business professional look). The business professional look includes a conservative suit in a solid  or  pinstriped  pattern.  Preferred  colors  are  navy,  dark brown, gray and black. White and pastel-colored blouses are acceptable. Pumps with a closed heel and toe accessorize your  suit.  The  informal  professional  look  incorporates  more pizzazz and color--in jackets, sweaters and blouse styles—and even dresses and skirts in silky prints combined with tailored jackets and  sweaters.

When selecting your workday wardrobe, be aware that every company has its own work environment and often unwritten dress codes. To evaluate the dress code of your office, take a look at the movers and shakers around you. Look at those Sisters who are in the big offices, those who are making decisions in the boardrooms and presented as the "ideal face" of the company. What are they wearing? How are they dressed day in and day out? These are your fashion templates, the Sisters who have set the pace for what is deemed acceptable attire in your workplace. And more often than not, these power players know that a sophisticated professional look is important to success.

THE RULES: Casual and Chic

Casual attire has been called the most relaxed corporate dress code, and subsequently, the most abused and misunderstood dress code in the nation. A professional woman's goal is to blend the casual with the chic. Steer clear of your favorite sandals, disco boots, jungle prints, leather miniskirts, tattered blue jeans, and other items that may be in your current rotation of party clothes.

Casual  and  chic  business  attire  includes  incorporating  colorful sweaters  and  leather blazers, and your favorite accessories into your professional look. When done right, your casual chic wardrobe can take you from "Casual Friday" at the office to "First Fridays" social events.

STRICTLY BUSINESS: Dress Code For Executives (General)

There is no casual chic look for those pounding the pavement at a job; strictly business professional is the best way to go. Your attire should send the message that you can fit into the work environment. Here are some tips for looking your best on that job interview:

Suit: The most appropriate suit colors are black, navy and charcoal. Your buttoned-up blouse or shell should not be sheer; silk and cotton impress best. Employment experts say a skirt suit should be worn on a first interview, and can be exchanged with pants on the second or third interview. Your suit skirt should not be too short or form-fitting; that could send the wrong message to your employer.

Shoes: Shoes with 1- to 2-inch heels are appropriate, and the should be polished and in good condition. Flesh-toned hosiery or hosiery that is compatible with your attire is ideal; stockings or tights in fishnet or wild designs are not appropriate in most office settings.

Accessories: Jazz up your suit with a tasteful (and trendy) brooch or classic jewelry. But jewelry  should  be  kept  to  a  minimum. Body piercing  (in  nose,  tongue,  eyebrows) is generally unacceptable in a corporate environment.

Hair: Your hairstyle should be neat and  your hair color should be natural-looking and complementary to your complexion. Wild colors (blue, pink, platinum streaks, etc.) and hair glitter are a no-no.

Nails: Short, well-manicured nails in one tone, including French manicures, are ideal. Long exotic and colorfully designed nails send the wrong message to a potential employer: that you are more concerned about pretty nails than you are about producing quality work.