How to dress professionally in a corporate environment

When you start working it’s hard to know what to do, when and how. Well this article will help you improve yourself as a corporate executive. Through my experiences which maybe not much, but hey! it won’t hurt to try. So have a read through…

Now, What should I do?

For example, if you are invited for an interview in a fashion magazine and being a conservative personality makes you wanna dress up in more formal manner, and eventually you end up appearing in a black pant suit with tie. That gesture may create a negative response from the person interviewing you.
So, before approaching for the interview at least you need to do is to know your company’s fashion.

Now, how can you do that?

Try to find out if the staff there follows a certain dress code, or they have a uniform. Clearly, you can’t get that uniform before you start working for them but at least you can find similar outfits. And still with that do keep it in a version of you. For say, you’re called in for interview from MC Donald’s, they have a uniform of T-shirt and Jeans. And your entire wardrobe consists of leather pants and jackets with studs on it. Don’t panic, you can go ahead and rub one of your old pants and make it matte or take a jeans (which is not-so ripped) and pair it with a nice plain buttoned down shirt or a polo T- shirt with dark or nude shoes. If you’re going with boots keep it simple and non-Lacey. And put your collared leather jacket which is subtle in color, try to stay from bright or shimmery clothes. Tie a scarf if you prefer, else not. Tie your hair up if you have long hairs, resist from bangs! And voila! you’re ready for your interview, keeping it in your style.

Let me share with you from my experience when I was called in for my interview which was for a Store Manager in a company which was a leading producer of wrist watches. They had a uniform of pant suit with scarf for their retail outlets. So, when I got the call, I visited the store and observed the outfits and the discipline of wearing it in the staff. It was well put together. I gathered that being well put together was one of the aspects, important to the company. So, keeping it my style (which is of a bike stunt performer) I put on a denim skirt with white semi-formal shirt and a tweed blazer. This made me looked appropriate for the job role and was my style. And yes! I did got that job.

Always try to be similarly dressed as the place you’re invited to but keep in mind to express yourself visually. There’s nothing wrong in being conservative for a fashion industry or being fashionable for a conservative work environment. But do keep in mind to not to overdo or under-do while your introduction. As first impression is going to decide what your life is gonna be like in that particular company.

So, am I done?

Not yet! Commonly for girls, jewelry is there too. When you are going on a lunch/dinner meeting you can put some more pieces than a formal meeting. Keep in mind to keep only one statement piece at a time. If you’re wearing a bolder necklace try to keep your earrings smaller or just studs and keep your bracelet to minimal design or only put an eye catching watch.

And for guys if you wear studs or have ear piercings either take it off or use a small and plain black or nude stud. Please take off, your pieces from any other visible piercings. Try to wear a not sporty or semi-sporty watch. Go for subtle styles and slim pieces, wear bold and chunky dial watch only if it suits you.

Maybe now I’m done?

Nope, the last thing to do on this list is perfume. Choose a fragrance which is no too loud and suits your mood. Either its flowery, musky, spicy, breezy or aquatic always be light on the no. of sprays you press. Your perfume should never end up giving migraine to the person in front of you.

Smile once in the mirror before you leave the room. Check on your necessary docs and you’re good to go!