A professional dress code is often a part of the corporate culture. While business casual is most companies’ standard, some businesses require employees to wear formal clothing. The two most common dress codes are a business professional and business casual.
The concept of a dress code might be foreign for some people, especially when they have never had one in any other job. A dress code can also make the company’s corporate culture more challenging to understand, as it adds another layer of information that an employee has to process every day.
Workplace and its rules
To have a successful career in a professional environment, you need to learn about your workplace and its rules so you don’t offend or become the subject of gossip or ridicule because of your clothing choices. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is by dressing professionally from day one.
For example, today I worked with my boss on formatting some documents for Microsoft Word. She was well dressed in ivory slacks paired with a pretty top and matching pearls — her usual work attire. As we worked together she explained to me how things were done at our office and answered my questions. My boss’s professionalism helped me understand the culture, and her style of dress made me feel more at ease with my new environment as well as helping me to fit in right away.
Reasons for professional dress code
1- There are many reasons that a business might adopt a specific dress code. For example, while company A might have adopted business casual because its founders were laid back California natives who wanted their employees to be comfortable when working just outside San Francisco, their competitor, company B could have the same dress code but for an entirely different reason — because they want their customers to feel relaxed and comfortable with doing business there.
2- Another good example is professional attire versus street clothing. Many women wear strictly skirts and blouses to work (jeans, capris, etc.). These companies might have adopted a business professional dress code because they believe that looking nice is an investment in creating the right impression with customers.
3- There are also businesses where having a standard dress code helps employees feel like part of a team; it can symbolize that everyone is working toward the same goals. Whatever the case may be, you should do your best to learn about and follow your company’s dress code policy as soon as possible after your start date, so you don’t accidentally offend anyone or damage your reputation. Remember that for some people wearing jeans on Fridays isn’t just fun but part of their style. So if there are any exceptions to the company rules, talk to someone in human resources (HR) to make sure you know how to handle them.
4- If all of your coworkers are in professional business attire, but you feel comfortable wearing a cute skirt and blouse, then go ahead — wear what suits you! But if your workplace has a strict dress code policy, it’s best to follow the rules from day one.
A high-profile company with strict dress codes is The Gap (www.gap.com), where casual Friday means no jeans or ripped clothing. I once worked for a small software company that fired one of its new employees because he wore shorts to work on his first summer day (90 degrees outside) instead of the dress slacks in his employee handbook.
Tips to know
When applying for a job, be sure to read the company’s website and its “about us” page. That way, you can get a feel for the corporate culture early on. If you can’t find information about your company’s dress code policy there, call HR or ask your potential supervisor as soon as possible after accepting an offer for employment. Asking about this one thing before you start working will save you a lot of stress later on when it comes time to show up for work!
It is also essential that if you have any questions about your workplace etiquette, always approach others with respect. For example, if everyone at work dresses informally but you think they are making a mistake, you might ask HR if it is okay to wear a suit or blazer once in a while. Explain that you are not trying to be fashionably different but that others’ casual dress makes you uncomfortable. Be sure to act professionally and offer suggestions for improvement rather than complaints about your coworkers’ wardrobe choices.
The way you dress can play a significant role in your professional career. Part of the culture of a company is the dress code of its employees. Some companies prefer a business casual approach, while other companies require a business professional dress code. Remember the game’s name when it comes to corporate culture: fit in, not stick out!
Business casual vs. Business formal dress code
It’s important to remember that there are various work environments, from the laid-back office to corporate America, and everything in between. Here is a list of workplace dress codes (and examples) you should consider before attending your following job interview or starting your first day on the job.
Business formal attire
An example would be wearing:
A business suit: A tailored suit jacket with matching pants or skirt An ironed shirt Blouse/Tie Dress shoes Black leather gloves and sunglasses (optional)
An excellent idea for anyone looking for an internship is to visit the company website. This will give you an inside look into what their corporate culture entails. You could even contact someone via email if you have concerns about certain aspects of the company culture. Most companies have a “contact us” or an FAQ page that will answer any questions you may have about the corporate culture. Even if a business has a dress code, it can be different depending on your department. For example, Accounting (finance) may require something completely different from Human Resources (HR). So if you want to apply for a job at Company A and they’re more laid-back with their attire, yet Company B is very particular about workplace etiquette, then make sure your wardrobe matches the environment.
For many companies, being well-groomed is part of the dress code policy. Here’s how to interpret some examples of grooming codes: Facial hair (and its length ) rules
- Beard: long enough to form a fist around with an inch or more of hair visible
- Mustache: length at least as long as wide, styled neatly and trimmed
- Sideburns: any shape, no downward-pointing turns
Hair rules (for men ):
Clean-shaven Hair is neatly parted on the side. Haircuts are short and cleanly groomed Sideburns extend from ear to mid-cheek, no longer (beard optional). Bangs/fringe should not be worn at all. Hair may not cover any portion of your face or ears Beards or mustaches may not reach below the corners of your mouth.
Hair rules (for women ):
- Layered hairstyles that are medium in length with blunt or no layers
- Bangs/fringe may be worn (optional). Hair must not cover any portion of your face or ears. Bangs should not extend into a curl over the forehead. Hair is pinned back on either side of your head with bobby pins.
Makeup rules
Minimal makeup, if any at all Lipstick – natural color; matte finish Natural-looking blush. Eyeliner – no more than a thin line applied close to the lash line. Foundation – base shade should match skin tone Powder, and concealer is fine as long as they’re subtle. Contact lenses (if you wear them). Face powder is okay. Eye shadow and blushes in shades like rose, pink, peach, or blue only. Nail polish (if you wear it). Hands and nails should be clean and manicured.
Body language
Body language is essential in the business world. Even if you keep your mouth closed, how you present yourself non-verbally tells a lot about who you are as an employee. So it’s very important to know how to dress for work. Your clothing, accessories, and footwear should match the corporate culture at the company that you’re interviewing with or starting at (or just hoping to fit into ). Remember, less is more! Don’t be over-the-top with your outfit choices. Keep things classy and straightforward image, such as wearing a plain black suit with a colored blouse instead of going for all black. If possible, wear something that flatters your body type. Wearing clothes that make you feel great about yourself will help you exude that extra confidence. When in doubt, stick with the dress code policies of previous companies where you’ve worked or interned.
The most important thing is to own whatever style of clothing you choose to wear. Don’t try to be someone else – identify your type and portray that in a way that makes you look good (yet professional) at the same time. One last piece of advice is to always keep an eye out for company emails stating changes or updates on your corporate culture (i.e., business casual Fridays ). This way, you can prepare proper attire for each occasion.
Conclusion
When applying for a job, your interviewers will want to know two things: Can you do the job (in other words, are you qualified)? Can we work with and/or around you? There is no better way to answer these questions than dressing professionally.
Match your look to the company’s dress code! A positive impression means they’ll want to hire you, while a negative one could mean that someone else may get an offer instead. In addition, it shows them that you respect who they are and what they stand for – both personally and professionally.
Good luck!
Frequently asked questions:
- Question: What if my company has a casual dress code?
Answer: First of all, if you feel uncomfortable with the idea of a casual dress code, consider looking for a different job. If it’s not possible to address your concerns, keep things professional by creating an appropriate outfit for work and still comfortable. For example, wearing a blazer over your graphic tee or choosing natural fabrics like cotton can help achieve this goal.
If you want to be ultra-casual (without jeopardizing your reputation ), try rolling up your sleeves and leaving your tie at home. Sometimes, these tiny changes in appearance may make all the difference when starting on the right foot. However, don’t take yourself too lightly – relaxed doesn’t mean sloppy.
Question: What if the dress code is more strict than my current one?
Answer: If you’re switching jobs and have to take your look up a notch, try shopping for new clothes online. Try to find inspiration from popular places like Pinterest or Google Images (just make sure what you’re copying is appropriate for work). Don’t go overboard with your outfit choices, though – aim for all black or all white. These are classic colors that never go out of style and will help create an image that’s sleek, put-together, and effortless.
- Question: I’m worried about being overdressed or underdressed. What should I do?
Answer: Instead of going back-and-forth in the dressing room, it’s better to err on the side of caution. You don’t want to be too formal that you come across as stuffy or stodgy, but you also don’t want to be over-the-top. If it’s better for your workplace, try going a little more casual and stick with darker colors.
- Question: I’m not sure how to dress when working in an office. What should I do?
Answer: The most important thing is to determine what type of business you’re working in. Just because everyone wears jeans at one company doesn’t mean they wear them at another! Ask other employees what the norm is, and follow suit if necessary. In addition, keep a nice shirt or blazer around – it’s a classic item that you can easily throw over a pair of jeans. The key is to keep things professional at all times – people will take you seriously when they see you dressed the part.