Leave that Impression

Traditional

Business Attire v/s Business Casual Attire. What is the difference? Business casual is a more relaxed option of dressing. Traditionally it includes a sport jacket, button down collared shirt for men or blouse for women with a dress pant or high quality cotton fabric pant. It might also includes a short sleeve shirt, blouse, knit top or high quality polo.

 In

addition to knowing what is appropriate attire, a well groomed, neat appearance is an important factor in how colleagues, clients and business associates react to you. Many times an opinion is formed before one has a chance to speak. A picture paints a thousand words. Keep that in mind when dressing for the day. Attire should project a quality look that is properly tailored and groomed. Shoes, purses, briefcases and computer bags should be well maintained. Hair and nails should be properly groomed. All of these factors contribute to your success.

The Three Levels of Business Attire:

1.) Traditional or Formal Business Attire: Traditional business attire includes business suits, dress shirts, and ties for men. business-oriented suits for women, both skirted suits and tailored pantsuits. Leather shoes (closed-toe/closed heel), socks and/or hosiery are also a requirement for any outfit to qualify for traditional business attire.

2.) Business formal is a subset of traditional business attire, yet, it has specific requirements just one step down from tuxedos, such as Dark tailored suits for men and women. Business formal standards dictate that women wear skirted suits, hosiery, and closed-toe/closed heel pumps. Men should wear white shirts (French cuff styles), cuff links, silk ties, and pocket squares (silk or linen) to fully qualify for business formal attire

3.)General Business Attire The General Business attire category is a mere mini step away from the Traditional Business classification. For men, this category still demands a tie and its still worn with a dress shirt. However instead of a suit, this category includes a tailored sport coat worn with dress trousers. For women, this category can look numerous ways. It includes tailored pantsuits, businesslike dresses, and coordinated dressy separates. When wearing separates, tailored jackets are required.

 Business

While ties are usually not required for men, high-level business casual includes suits worn with dressy sport shirts or fine-gauge knits and tailored separates, such as dress trousers, dressy collared sport shirts that do not require a tie, fine knit shirts and sweaters, as well as sport coats. Low-level business casual includes khakis, chinos, and knit golf shirts. To command respect, wear all-leather belts and shoes; sandals and sneakers do meet a true business casual standard.

Casual

 For

women, business casual includes pantsuits, tailored separates, such as skirts, slacks, blouses, sweaters, sweater sets, and jackets Here are some sample business casual outfits:

Womens Dress:
Business Professional and Casual

Women must look right to get foot in the door Only suits? Some companies have unwritten rule for suits only In other companies, business professional dress can mean suit, dress, pantsuit, or blazer and skirt

 Suits

in black, navy, gray, and taupe

Brighter

colored jackets and skirts from business casual may be blended into business professional that are calf-length are appropriate

Skirts A

blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate when policy is more relaxed

classic style dress in a good color

Long-sleeve

Black,

gray, navy, and tan are good color choices-project authority

floral designs and other prints

Avoid

Best fabrics: Wool, gabardine, cotton, and silk Man-made fabrics that give the same lookscrunch test Blouses: Solid colors Cream, white, and other muted as well as bright colors Cotton, silk, and blouses made of man-made fibers that have quality look Blouses of good quality, styles, and colors

Match or be compatible with outfit

Classic leather pumps with closed heel and toe

Black, navy, taupe, and burgundy. Heels -- 1 to 3 inches high

Hosiery same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline -Dark hose with same color long-sleeved suit Accessoriesleather, classic, black, navy, taupe, or burgundy

Purse/ briefcase compact and functional--small as possible

 14

carat gold or sterling silver Accentuate professional attire Eliminate a piece when in doubt Simplicity is key Follow the rule of 13 No dangling earrings Classic-style watch with black, gold, or silver-tone band

Easy to maintain hairstyle Hair lengthappearance of shoulder length or shorter Make-up--accentuate features Eyes and lips are important communication tools Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish colors or natural look Eyeglasses Glasses denote serious/intelligent Conservative frames

Dress up a notch rather than down a notch Give extra edge by looking good on her way up ladder Quality clothes Investment Thinking an outfit inappropriate--probably is

 Respect
Attention

to detail Credibility Achieve professional goals

 Company

manual

Distributed to potential and present employees Followed Enforced

Dress

by and for example Knowledgeable Sensitive to own industry Dress the part for the role you play

 Appropriate

attireknow difference between business casual and casual attire Fewer than 1/3 of all white-collar workers still required to dress formally 4 out of 5 of those dress down one day a week Gain edge in business with appropriate attire Be sensitive to your industry Dress the part for the role you play

 No,

suits still important Business casual - blazer or cardigan sweater and a coordinating skirt Business casual is NOT same as casual attire A womans attire must say that she means business with authority

woman must look the part Appearance may make or break her career First impression continues to make a lasting impression Recognize the value of companys business casual guidelines

A classic suit A navy or black blazer and skirt A cardigan sweater A plain white or cream blouse in silk or rayon or a tailored tee With a light colored jacket or sweater wear a darker colored blouse.

Pantsuits are great investments on business casual days. Trousers and a blazer or a cardigan sweater are also appropriate. Twill pants in black, navy, or khaki are appropriate. If you are unsure if slacks are appropriate, simply mirror the highestranking female in your company.

 Basic

skirts in black, navy, khaki, or taupe Skirts should be same length as business professional skirt length or longer A long skirt makes a feminine statement for business casual

Coordinate with the other items worn Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, taupe, or burgundy Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter than shoes and hemline With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned hosiery is a must Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag and briefcase the smallest size possible to still be functional

 Jewelry

should be the same as business professional--goldtone or silver jewelry is best Basic is best--follow the rule of 13 A woman cant get into trouble being dressed in a simple, elegant manner

Hair should be or give appearance of shoulder length or shorter Makeup should accentuate features rather than jumping out-eyes and lips important communication tools Fingernails should be well maintained with subtle polish or the natural look

Dressing too casually 4 of the most commonly made business casual faux pas:

Not wearing hosiery Wearing a skirt that is too short Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and seethrough blouses Wearing stretch pants

How to decide what is appropriate

Look good Dress up a notch Thinking an outfit inappropriate means it probably is

Dont wear business casual attire when

Not yet invested in business casual attire When talking about salary or a performance appraisal When unsure of outfit When outfit is not cleaned or pressed When unsure about an organizations dress code on a visit When interacting with potential clients or international clients When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to work And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good condition

Are jeans appropriate?

 Respect

for herself and others How much attention to detail she has Interest in professional future

When was the last time somebody rolled into your office looking this flawless?

1. Go Brash-and-Bold with your Shirt-and-tie Combos

Liven up your dreary office with confidencein a tie that packs a punch of bright color.

2. Get in a Committed relationship with the right Collar

Point collars look dated these days. It's the spread collar on this shirt that's the standard now, and will be for the foreseeable future.

3. Look Busy ( But keep it in your pocket)

Most guys are hip to the white pocket square. See them and raise them one by stockpiling an arsenal of patterned versions.

4. Tell your Barber, to get you a Side Part

Who doesn't want to look like Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, or Brad Pitt?

5. Nothing wrong with a backpack.

But a look this polished calls for a briefcase. It sends the message that you're a professional, with serious business to attend to on the flynot just a man carrying gym shoes.

6. Wear the time

"When you rest your hands on a conference-room table, a refined watch makes a big statement."