Why do investment bankers and lawyers put so much effort into the way they dress?
The reason is simple really: how they look determines how much money they get – well, to some degree.
But high-flyers aren’t the only people who stand to benefit from sartorial splendor: you can too.
Here’s how to dress smart casual for work.
Related to smart casual:
- 5 Issues That Could Harm Your Business Image (And How To Overcome Them)
- Building A Brand: How To Create A Business Customers Love
- 5 Business Benefits Of Treating Employees Well
Don’t Follow Mark Zuckerberg’s Lead For Smart Casual
Mark Zuckerberg is at once one of the most successful and one of the most disliked entrepreneurs of all time.
And although the reasons for both are varied, part of the reason he’s not liked, even within his immediate business community, is down to the way he dresses.
Zuckerberg has a thing for hoodies. He loves them.
And he wears them faithfully at Facebook HQ while among colleagues.
“Okay,” you might say, “dressing down is common among companies with startup cultures.” But Zuckerberg doesn’t limit his hoodie-wearing solely to when he’s in the office. He’s been known to do it at shareholder meetings and while publicly representing the company too.
You don’t want to be like Zuckerberg when it comes to smart casual dress.
It comes across as arrogant. Dress for the occasion and your clothing will help you rise to it.
Keep It Cheap
You often hear of wannabes in the business world spending upwards of $2,000 on a suit. But, in truth, there’s really no need.
There are many companies out there now who can tailor a suit for half that price – often less.
And the quality doesn’t suffer.
What’s more, you don’t want to be walking around in something that costs nearly as much as a second-hand car. At some point, you’re going to spill your coffee on your lap.
Brand Yourself
If you want to earn extra brownie points at work, one of the best things you can do is brand yourself so that you look like the model corporate employee. But how do you do that? Well, following the dress code is a start, but you can take it to the next level with lanyards from Dynamic Gift and others.
Branded lanyards are an excellent way to make it clear to clients (and managers) that you’re committed to the company brand. What’s more, they’re a lot more subtle than having a company logo embroidered on your clothing in some way, or even wearing a badge.
Style Yourself According To Your Build
Achieving sartorial splendor in the office is about more than just choosing high-quality clothes. They have to fit you too. It’s not uncommon for somebody in the office to be considered shabby or insufficiently polished, just because the clothes they wear are too tight or baggy.
Go to a tailor and find out which cuts are the most appropriate for you. If you’re a little on the skinny side, then you’ll want to choose skinny or regular trousers and a slim-fit jacket.
On the other hand, if you’ve got a slightly bigger build, then you’ll want to avoid things like waistcoats and clothing that’s too tight.
When doing smart casual for work, don’t forget that a good tailor can transform an outfit and make it fit much better.