Posted On January 12, 2014 By In Fashion For Men, Manzone

Dressing to Impress: A Man’s Guide to Dressing Dapper

 
 

As the New Year starts, many people are thinking about putting their best foot forward to find a new job or re-vamp their business attire. Business attire does not usually change often. Nevertheless, it can be used to differentiate between conservative, business casual, and in some places casual wear. Overall, it is only fitting that dress codes directly relate to the type of profession one has. For example, the banking industry seeks to have their associates dress ultra conservatively — or in other words “play it safe.” After all, you would not want someone who did not dress nicely to handle your well-earned money. In any case, it is better to be overdressed than to be underdressed. From the old adage, “You never can get a second chance to make a first impression.” As a result, you should always make it a good one.

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Always dress to impress and have clothing pressed, laundered, and fitted properly.  You want the focus to be on you, the person, and not the imperfections of what you are wearing.  For example, if you are wearing clothes that have creases and are poorly fitted, more attention will be drawn to the imperfections of your outfit. That being said, it is imperative to hide piercings and to make sure tattoos are covered.

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Men have two categories of business attire. Nevertheless, it is best to have one traditional suit in your closet no matter what industry you work in. You never know when you will need to dress to the tens. The first category is known as business casual. Business casual is more laid back; therefore, patterned shirts are acceptable. When using a pattern, coordinate your tie accordingly and make sure they do not conflict with each other. Sports jackets are perfect to complete the outfit and to add a little formality to casual attire. Pants should be flat front khakis or dress trousers. Grey flannel or dark denim is acceptable at some companies so make sure to check out the company culture and what others are wearing. Always dress according to the season. For pant outfits, wear a belt that matches the color of your shoes. It is best to wear moderate shoes that are not overly flashy. I would recommend black, brown, or nude shoes. These can be dress boots or leather slip-on shoes. Casual shoes like TOMS, Birkenstocks and moccasins should be avoided. The socks that you wear should match the color of your pants. Do not forget to have a neat, professional haircut, nails trimmed, and face cleanly shaven or beard neatly trimmed. Make sure to take it easy on the aftershave, guys. Finally, to carry business papers, use a simple leather case or portfolio.

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The second category pertaining to menswear is formal business attire. First and foremost, have your hair recently cut to a professional length. Wear a solid or conservatively patterned tie and stay away from flashy bright colors that draw attention. If you rock a pocket square, only use a square fold. There should be a half-inch shirt cuff exposed and jacket sleeves should not extend past the knuckles.  Tall men should wear cuffed pants, whereas shorter men should leave pants un-cuffed. Do not forget to polish your shoes and to wear plain or capped oxford shoes with rounded toes and a closed lacing. Again, match your belt color to the color of your shoes. When wearing a jacket, a dark, single-breasted suit is best paired with a white or blue solid shirt.

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In addition, there are rules about colors for each category that can impact the way an employer views you. Certain colors register in our brains in different ways. Grey or simple navy are great colors to show confidence with simplicity in business and other conservative industries. In the case of a medical student, wear navy or black suits. If you want to wear other colors, here are some colors and what the brain relates to them as:

Black: Leadership/Power

Blue: Team Player

Grey: Logical/Analytical

Brown: Dependable

Red: Power

Green, Yellow, Orange or Purple: Creative

White: Organized. White can also enhance an outfit when used correctly.

 

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If you follow these guidelines and put your best foot forward, you will dazzle your interviewers and bosses. The best accessory to an amazing outfit is your attitude. Luckily, when you get dressed up, it is natural to feel good about yourself. Even others can sense this radiating self-confidence. Good luck on your new job search or in revamping your business style. Knock ’em dead.

 

 

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Victoria Wilmoth is a fashion writer for Writtalin. Victoria is a published fashion designer who is currently featured in André Leon Talley's world-wide "Little Black Dress" exhibit. Her expertise is in haute couture and bridal gowns. She is currently studying trends and fashion merchandising in the fashion industry. You can email Victoria at: [email protected]