Dress Down to Impress
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Thursday 14th October 2010More and more companies are giving their employees a bonus. Not money, not more vacation time, and not company stock: the bonus is a casual dress code.
Before you start grumbling about this so-called bonus, think of it as money in your pocket. After all, something is better than nothing. While a casual dress bonus is not more cash, you can think of it as the opportunity to save a few bucks by letting your off-time clothing serve double duty.
What casual clothing passes office standards? You may have guessed that ripped jeans, a faded beer slogan t-shirt, grungy sneakers and a baseball cap won’t make the cut. So where are all those savings?
And beyond that, what is casual?
The problem is that many new office dress codes stress what you cannot wear, without giving much of an indication of or ideas on what you can. The following four SharpGrooming tips are designed to help you inexpensively beef up your casual attire to impress both on- and off-duty:
Tip One: Keep it Simple
If money and taste are no option, simply running out and buying what your local men’s clothing store is hocking may be the option for you. But with a little forethought you can spend less and look better by buying a few staples you can build on as you go.
Begin by asking yourself how much can you afford and creating a rough budget. Clothes are not cheap these days, and you pay a hefty premium for designer duds.
Next, figure out what you already have and what you need. Start at your feet and work your way up.
Chances are that the business "formal" shoes you already own will work just fine in the new casual office environment. If you’re in need of a new pair, recognize that first and foremost, footwear should be comfortable. Don’t try to cram your dogs into shoes too small, too narrow, or too tight just because they look good or are a few bucks cheaper. Consider having a professional (i.e., person who works in a shoe store) measure your feet and fit the shoes you buy. Conservative styles in basic black or brown leather work for business casual, formal client days and after-hours socializing. One pair of work shoes is all you need. When these die, you can get another pair.
If you need a little flair in your life, get wild and crazy with your socks. Cartoon characters may be a little overboard, but as long as they are not white athletic socks you are generally OK. Go as loud as you are, but don’t go overdo it; you don’t want to be known as the "socks guy." Otherwise, stick with solid black or brown socks to match your shoes. Make sure you’ve got a week’s worth of socks on hand.
While you’re thinking "matching," pick up a simple leather belt that matches the color of your shoes, if you don’t already own one.
Slacks are easy too. Where suits are the staple of formal office wear, khaki slacks rule office casual. They’re simple, inexpensive and match everything. Stock up on two or three pairs of good-fitting khakis. These can be worn several times before they require a visit to the laundry.
Tip Two: Get Help
Why many guys are so fashion-challenged will always be a mystery, but rather than trying to figure it all out by yourself, ask for help. Picking out shoes, socks, belts and slacks is easy, but when it comes to shirts and accessories, enlist the support of a SharpWoman to sift through questions of style.
If you haven’t got a SharpWoman, a sister or a (gulp!) female friend, there is likely to be a woman in the office who will be all too happy to provide her opinion. Simply ask her who she thinks is the sharpest dressed man in the office and then make notes on his attire. Does he wear a blazer? What kinds of shirts does he wear? How about a tie — does he wear one? What colors does he wear most often?
Translate these observations about what others find sharp into items on your shopping list. You can make changes to fit your personal taste, but with style, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
With style choices down, your next step is to determine what colors look best on you. Again, you could go to the trouble of trying to figure it out yourself, but why not just take along a SharpWoman? Not only can she help you identify the styles and colors of clothes that are most flattering, but she can also help you shrug off the suggestions of pushy salespeople. Totally strapped for a color-coordinated female friend? Don’t despair–there’s always that cute clothing or department store clerk to help you spend your money.
While you are browsing, check your notes to recall the tones and hues worn by the sharp-dressed guy in your office. He probably does not have neon orange cargo pants and an olive drab tank top in his casual wardrobe, so steer away from loud color choices. Light blue and (believe it or not) pink long-sleeved broadcloth button-down shirts scream casual. They are easy to pick out and conservative enough to fit most situations.
There may be a few patterned options as well, but before you pay for it, ask the opinion of someone else and explain that you don’t want the sugarcoated version.
No matter how hot the climate is where you live, short-sleeved button-down shirts are reserved for the guys with pocket protectors. If you want to go short-sleeved, polo-style shirts, if within office standards, are a safe short-sleeve option. Solid colored T-shirts without slogans may work.
Tip Three: Fit as a Fiddle
Despite the fact that few SharpMen have bodies that look like they belong in a designer underwear commercial, most designer clothing appear to be constructed for men with these body types. Finding clothing that fits your body type may take time — but goes a long way towards making you look sharp. Take the time to try on shirts made by a variety of different manufacturers — there is a difference. If necessary, find a tailor to hem cuffs and fit clothing to your form.
Body shape should also be considered when choosing patterns. For example, horizontal stripes can make you look wider, which may not be ideal if you believe that you are already wide enough, and vertical stripes can make you look taller.
If you are big, tall, short or small, there is more than likely a specialty shop for you. Consult the phone book for clothing stores that cater to those without designer-clothing bodies. Unlike mainstream stores, the salespeople at specialty shops are likely to be more invested in making you look and feel your best.
Tip Four: Clean and Sharp
Once you’ve assembled your casual office wardrobe, remember that a pressed shirt and ironed slacks go a long way. Washing all your clothes together on the warm cycle won’t get you where you need to be. Stains, fading colors, wear and tear…these don’t impress anyone. Casual does not mean sloppy.
Try to purchase slacks and shirts that keep their shape. If a garment is not labeled as wrinkle-resistant or wrinkle-free, hold the fabric firmly, crumpled in your hand, for about ten seconds. The more wrinkles and creases you see, the fewer wearings you’ll get out of it before you’ll need to send it in or iron it yourself.
Don’t forget that shoes need care too. A good shoe-polishing kit (or an occasional visit to the shoe-shine stand) will help preserve the leather and the luster, and a pair of shoetrees will prevent them from warping with age.
Finally, think about the way you present yourself in your clothing. Tucking in the shirt, keeping your nails clean and getting an occasional haircut can do more for your image than an expensive wardrobe.
This article last updated on Thursday 14th October 2010