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Business Fashion Rules Every Professional Should Follow

October 16, 2016 By Marisa Sanfilippo 15 Comments

Ever notice how when you put on an outfit you love you have an extra pep in your step? According to Vogue, your outfit may alter how you approach and interact with the world.

On the other hand, clothing influences the impressions people have of us, says Psychology Today. A study in the article noted: people rated a man “more confident, successful, flexible and a higher earner in a tailor-made suit than when he wore a high street equivalent.”

Business Fashion Rules Every Professional Should Follow
Photo source: FreeImages.com, Downloaded 8/22/16, User oki oki.

What we wear matters, especially in cutthroat work environments. According to NPR, “clothing appears to tap in to peoples’ sense of power.”

The NPR article also citied a study that found “dressing up may put more money in your pocket.” As you work toward dressing to impress or dressing for success, consider these business fashion rules.

Table of Contents

  • Women Specific Business Fashion Rules
  • Men Specific Business Fashion Rules
  • Business Fashion Rules That Apply to Any Gender
    • Accessories make the man or woman.
    • Dress more formally, see the bigger picture.
    • Consider comfort.
    • Fit is King (or Queen).
    • Choose clothing colors carefully.
    • Marisa Sanfilippo
    • Latest posts by Marisa Sanfilippo (see all)

Women Specific Business Fashion Rules

Dressing conservatively is key for senior managers. In the study cited by Psychology Today, a manger in a senior level position was rated less favorably when she wore a dress that was provocative, while a conservative look of hers was rated more favorably.

Based off the findings of the study, if you are in a senior position, stick to skirts that are at least knee length and don’t leave any buttons on your blouse undone.

Strategically do your makeup. Wearing makeup can help get you more respect, trust, and power from your co-workers, reports New York Times. “It has long been known that symmetrical faces are considered more comely, and that people assume that handsome folks are intelligent and good,” the article added.

“There is also some evidence that women feel more confident when wearing makeup, a kind of placebo effect,” according to Nancy Etcoff who served as the study’s lead author and is an assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard University.

Here’s an example of a work approved makeup look provided by makeup artist Kaitlin Buck of Sherine Joy.

Makeup artist Kaitlin Buck of Sherine Joy

Men Specific Business Fashion Rules

Every man needs a pair of well-kept leather shoes. “Leather shoes are like a Brooks leather bike seat,” says Astrid Brucker, costume and fashion designer. “With wear they become yours and feel custom made for you. Maintaining leather shoes with a bit of mink oil will keep them looking brand new!”

Opt for the knot. Always opt for the classic Windsor knot but go for a half Windsor if you are tall or thinner.

Business Fashion Rules Every Professional Should Follow
Photo source: FreeImages.com Downloaded 8/22/16, User Larissa Kanno.

Business Fashion Rules That Apply to Any Gender

Accessories make the man or woman.

The more upscale your clientele, the more it matters what brands you wear – and that includes jewelry and watches. Even items that aren’t often seen inside the office are important.

Make sure your wallet is top class. Go for major brands for every item any customer, employer, or co-worker is likely to see. Even your sunglasses should at least be RayBans, or better yet, one of these brands of sunglasses. Dress as though you are more successful than you are.

All hail the mighty steamer.

It is important to look neat and polished in business. One way to achieve this to make sure your clothes are always neatly pressed and wrinkle free.

Brucker who swears by steamers advises, “Invest in a small steamer. Steaming is less time consuming than ironing and works great on fold lines.”

Dress more formally, see the bigger picture.

Dressing more formally than required by the company you work for can help you see the bigger picture.

In a study cited in the Wall Street Journal, 88 subjects that were tested in formal and casual clothing “were quicker to see the big picture when they dressed more formally. The casual dressers tended to sweat the small stuff.”

Consider comfort.

Some 86% of women say they are willing to sacrifice some amount of style for comfort, according to a survey of 549 women conducted by Harris Poll for Nielsen, writes The Wall Street Journal.

I never understood this, especially in the workplace! Why would anyone want to wear something that’s uncomfortable, especially when sitting for eight or nine hours a day? You can look professional without being uncomfortable.

Fit is King (or Queen).

“There is no such this as a garment fitting ‘good enough.’ A perfectly fitting garment will transform your look.

An off the rack suit, with alterations will cost you the same as a fully bespoke suit. Spend your money wisely and get it right from the start,” says Amanda Basse, Marketing Coordinator for Alan David Custom, a bespoke tailor located in New York City.

Choose clothing colors carefully.

Wearing colors that blend with your skin and hair color will even out your skin tone, eliminating shadows, says pattern maker and expert Maria Calautti. “When shopping for clothes, get the same garment in different colors. Stand in front of the mirror placing one of the garments in front of you then place the other; look at it and remove them.

Switch them around and do it again.” Calautti advises repeating this a couple times. “You will be surprised at the changes in your face which at first are subtle, but as your brain starts to process the whole thing, the changes are more evident.”

Some people may argue that there are no rules in fashion, but let’s face it – you can’t go into most offices in short shorts or flip flops and expect to get respect. The rules listed here are just a guide based off extensive research. At the least, if you follow any, I hope they help you feel more confident at work.

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Marisa Sanfilippo

Marisa Sanfilippo is an award-winning marketing professional and freelance writer who specializes in content and social media marketing. A ‘Twitter Chat Junkie’ she often jokes that she eats, sleeps, and breathes digital marketing. Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, Business.com, SEMrush Blog, and other notable industry sites.
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Comments

  1. Samuel Lee says

    January 14, 2020 at 7:03 am

    While going to a business meeting I look for comfort, fit and colour. Appearance plays an important role in business deals.

    Reply
  2. Ashikur Rahman says

    December 9, 2019 at 11:27 am

    Hi Marisa Sanfilippo,

    The Business Fashion Rules idea seems lovely. Thanks for the credit. I will definitely try to go someday!

    Thanks

    Reply
  3. nancy p. says

    November 23, 2019 at 1:43 am

    thank you for sharing this article. I am so happy to know about these fashion rules.

    Reply
  4. shizza says

    October 14, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    very useful info for me you explained colors as changing factors to the whole look. I totally agree with your ideas thanks a lot for such a nice article.
    shizza would love you to read ..Designer Latest Sherwani Designs 2019 For Boys New Collection For WeddingMy Profile

    Reply
  5. shristi patni says

    August 10, 2019 at 5:26 am

    dressing sense is perfect . that black coat is much better.

    Reply
  6. Emma McGann says

    November 19, 2018 at 4:42 am

    Great to know about this fashion rules. I am going to join a multination company from the next month and your tips will make me more gorgeous. Thanks for writing this.

    Reply
  7. Victoria Melo says

    June 3, 2018 at 5:24 pm

    It was really impotant for me to read this article early on in my career to make me realize that I don’t have to look dull in order to look professional. When I got into the busines world I was always trying to find any type of clothing that would just cover my upper body as much as possible.
    You reminded me that I should also look for comfortable, easy-to-wear formal clothes. It was also very useful when you explained colors as changing factors to the whole look. Great article!
    Victoria Melo would love you to read ..Bra Review: Empreinte Kaela Seamless Bra for DD+ SizesMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Selene says

    January 12, 2017 at 9:45 am

    Wow, very valuable content! Definitely very helpful for those who may be new to the business/ professional environment!

    Reply
  9. katie says

    December 14, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    Hello Marisa,
    Great post,Dressing sense plays an important role for success of any business.As we all know first impression is the last impression.Therefore,dressing is enough to judge.Very informative post.
    Thanks for posting!

    Reply
  10. Jane D. Goldman says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:09 am

    Most of yours smile is fabulous!!! and you are wearing Black coats is very much beautiful. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  11. Dhaval Parmar says

    October 19, 2016 at 6:00 am

    yes it is true,Some people may argue that there are no rules in fashion, but let’s face it – you can’t go into most offices in short shorts or flip flops and expect to get respect.

    Reply
  12. Stive says

    October 19, 2016 at 5:45 am

    Thanks for writing about Business Fashion Rules for Professional. I have learn a lot. Thank you for sharing your thinking with us.

    Reply
  13. Shilpi Virtual Assistant says

    October 18, 2016 at 7:44 am

    Perfect garment fitting gives a professional look. I like wearing leather shoes. How we appear matters a lot in business as a report says that people who dress better are likely to earn 15% more than others.

    Reply
  14. Amar kumar says

    October 17, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Hey Marisa,

    Every office is different, but we think these hard and fast fashion rules are applicable to almost any workplace setting. Looking good is a chore, and I’m definitely not suggesting that we have to add more things to our to do list or that must look like just stepped out of a salon everyday. Prioritizing tasks and creating efficient habits around those grooming rituals, like choosing functional hairstyles and low-maintenance nails, can actually cut down prep time and elevate our overall appearance.

    Consistent grooming, in many ways, trumps fashion. Successful women are shrewd with money, but they also know when to open their wallets. This includes investing in quality additions to their wardrobe. Accessories can also help us to transition from context to context, without doing a full costume change. Eventually thanks for your wonderful thought.

    With best regards,

    Amar kumar
    Amar kumar would love you to read ..12 Ways You Haven’t Tried to Find Leads OnlineMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Ravi Chahar says

    October 17, 2016 at 12:18 am

    Hey Marisa,

    I totally agree with you. Dressing sense influences the success rate of a person. People work hard and reach to the top. But there are others who work less but with smart moves, they acquire their position.

    A good fashion sense shows the confidence of a person. People like to approach those who can present themselves nicely. No one wants to work with someone with the messy hair and torn clothes.

    ~Ravi
    Ravi Chahar would love you to read ..How To Add A Reddit Button To Your WordPress Website?My Profile

    Reply

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