How to dress for success at work

People who work in finance will typically dress more conservatively than those who work in creative industries, such as advertising

A nice suit could be deemed the safest bet; however, if it is not reflective of the environment you are in, this could be a bit much. With the startup tech culture setting the trend for being more casual in the workplace, every young professional should know how to dress in a style appropriate for work.

You need to dress in a style that appropriately reflects your job, and the best place to start is to look at your company’s dress code policy. This policy may include restrictions, such as no open-toed footwear due to health and safety, and it is important to take note of these.

There are steps you can take to help ensure you are always in the appropriate attire and looking sharp, whatever your role or industry, and the first of these is to invest in some good-quality key pieces that you can mix and match.

Once you have these base pieces, women can accessorise with shoes, scarves, bags and belts to create numerous different looks from relatively few items. Men are best investing in neutral-coloured shirts that can be teamed with a number of different suits and ties, or chinos if a more relaxed look is required.

A well put-together outfit really comes into its own when attention is paid to personal grooming. Displaying clean and clipped fingernails, well-groomed and tidy hair – including facial hair – and clean shoes gives the most polished of appearances.

It is also important to consider the amount of makeup and perfume/cologne you are using. Something light and fresh is ideal. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can be distracting or overpowering to others.

Aim for versatility in your work wardrobe, as different aspects of your job may have different requirements. One day you could be in a meeting with a client where standard practice is to wear a suit, the next you may be working with a creative agency that prefers to adopt a more casual approach.

Whether wearing formal or casual clothing, always make sure everything is ironed and free from marks. Having a space in your wardrobe dedicated to ironed work attire will not only make it quicker and easier to find an outfit in the morning but also you will be less likely to don an item that is not work appropriate.

Most people have a defined style by the time they reach their mid to late 20s; however, dressing for your age is important. It is a good idea to reassess and update the base pieces of your collection from time to time to ensure that you are always wearing something you feel comfortable in.

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