Transition Your Look from Dorm Room Chic to Desk Job Polished

Community Manager — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:51:00 GMT

Think you know how to dress for work? You may be surprised to learn that your attire could be sending the wrong signal.

The rise of the casual Friday culture has made dressing for work more prone to missteps. Dress down days not only ushered in khakis and collared shirts in lieu of suits; the trend towards casual also unleashed a host of fashion mishaps.

The biggest faux pas? Flip flops, sloppy tee shirts, hoodies and tight clothes better suited to a night on the town than to a day at a desk. Need help transitioning your look from dorm room chic to desk job polished? Read on for dos and don'ts that will help you be taken seriously by higher ups and clients.

Polished, Not Provocative

Let's begin with what's easy. To be taken seriously, you need to dress seriously. A polished, professional look is a must when advancing up the career ladder.

Different workplaces have different dress codes so there is no one-size fits all solution. Take a look around you at work and emulate the dress style of those at the top. A jacket and tie isn't always required but take care to be pressed and wrinkle free.

Hair should be well-groomed, make-up understated. Not sure how to duplicate the look you see in the corner office? Many department stores have personal shoppers who can provide advice. While you can't judge a book by its cover, the reality is that appearance matters in the workplace. Take care to look the part.

For a clearer picture of what works (and what doesn't) visit these links:

How do you walk the line between casual and professional? What are fashion dos and don'ts in your industry or work place? Share your thoughts here!

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Transition Your Look from Dorm Room Chic to Desk Job Polished