1. Dress for Success
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© Amber East 2014

2. Why should I dress different for work than I do any other time?
It takes more than a good attitude and a strong work ethic to get a job these days. You’ve got to look your best!
First impressions are the most important, so dressing for the interview is a must. 40% of all employment rejections are based on personal presentation.
But once you get that job, you’ll at least have “casual Fridays”, right? Not really. “Business casual” isn’t jeans and a t-shirt, and most companies are retreating on employee casual dress. One survey says that five years ago, 51% of human resource respondents allowed casual dress. This year, only 38% allow casual dress.
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© Amber East 2014

3. Dressing for a Job Interview
Dress for the interview, not for the job.
Even if you would wear jeans to work at that job, you should dress better for the interview.
Dressing well shows respect for the people with whom you will meet.
Dress professionally regardless of whether you are coming in for a job interview or simply picking up an application.
It is always better to over dress than to under dress.
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© Amber East 2014

4. Now that I have the job, what do they mean when they say…
business formal?
business semi-formal?
business casual?
© Amber East 2014

5. Business Formal
The only outfit for business formal is a suit. A suit is not just a jacket and a pair of pants or a skirt. They must be uniform. The jacket and pants or skirt must be bought together as a set. A tailor made suit is best. Buying a suit off the rack is okay if you will not be wearing a suit everyday, but it must fit very well.
Although suits are expensive, you will quickly see a return on your money.
Click on the man or the woman to see more details about the suit you should wear.
© Amber East 2014

6. Men’s Business Formal
Shirt:
Always wear an 100% cotton, long-sleeved dress shirt that’s ironed.
Never wear short-sleeved shirts or roll up your sleeves, even if you are wearing a jacket.
Your shirt should be tailored if you have a trim body and full cut if you have a larger physique.
Buy a variety of light solid or striped shirts if you will be wearing your suit often.
Shoes and socks:
Wear leather, lace-up or slip-on dress shoes in black or cordovan to coordinate with your suit.
Here in Texas, a pair of dress boots in black or cordovan would also be acceptable.
Always wear dark socks that come up to mid-calve.
Always wear a belt that matches your shoes. Remember: black and brown make a frown.
More suggestions:
Be clean shaven or have well trimmed and groomed facial hair.
As cologne goes, less is always more. If you can’t hold back, don’t wear any.
Remove all of your piercings.
Wear a good quality watch and minimal jewelry. Wearing a watch will show that you’re prompt.
Tie:
Always wear a tie and dress shoes with a suit.
Tie your tie in a Windsor knot. Need some help? Go to
Don’t wear a patterned suit with patterned shirts with patterned tie.
Avoid fashion extremes like bright colors or character ties.
I need to buy a suit. What should I look for when I am shopping?
Keep Going
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© Amber East 2014

7. How to Buy a Suit
The very best way to build a business wardrobe is to start out early and just add on gradually.
A suit must be well tailored. If you can’t afford a tailor right now, you can buy the suit off the rack, but it must fit very well.
Key places to look for fit are:
the shoulder seams should not be out past your shoulder,
pants should fit at the waist, not below it.
Buy a suit that is solid navy, dark gray, or (sometimes) chocolate brown. Black suits are for funerals. Very subtle weave patterns, plaids (the kind that look solid from across the room), or pinstripes are also okay.
Your suit should be 100% wool (all weather weight). Wool blends look cheap and will wear out more quickly.
By the way, the tag stitched on the outside of your sleeve should be cut off.
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© Amber East 2014

8. Now that I have the job, what do they mean when they say…
business formal?
business semi-formal?
business casual?
© Amber East 2014

9. Women’s Business Formal
Shoes:
Not only is it more professional to wear closed toed shoes, but some places of employment will require it for safety reason (even in an office!)
Wear shoes with a two to three-inch heel. Avoid stilettos or chunky shoes.
Buy shoes in neutral colors like black, brown, navy and taupe. A good rule of thumb is to wear shoes that are the same tone or darker than the hem of your skirt or pants.
Don’t wear shoes you can’t walk in!
Always wear flesh colored stockings with a skirt suit. Wearing knee high stockings with pants will make your dress shoes more comfortable and help them last longer.
More suggestions:
Bare arms and legs, elaborate hair styles and chunky shoes can all be a distraction.
Carry a business-like purse, briefcase, or bag (just one) that coordinates with your suit and shoes. Never carry a book bag or back pack.
As perfume goes, less is always more. If you can’t hold back, don’t wear any.
Wear your hair in a neat and tidy hairstyle. Avoid wearing it long and loose.
Make-up and nail polish should be conservative.
Jewelry:
Remove all of your extra piercings. Only wear one pair of earrings.
Wear a good quality watch and minimal jewelry. Wearing a watch will show that you’re prompt.
No noisy, sparkly, or large jewelry.
Emily Post said that before you leave the house, take off one accessory, and you’ll never look overdone.
Shirt:
Wear a cotton or silk, tailored blouse in a color or small print that coordinates with your suit. Fine quality knits are also okay.
Don’t wear a lingerie-style blouse under your suit. Don’t show cleavage.
I need to buy a suit. What should I look for when I am shopping?
Keep Going
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© Amber East 2014

10. How to Buy a Suit
The very best way to build a business wardrobe is to start out early and just add on gradually.
You need to have at least one skirt suit for interviews
The skirt must be long enough to cover your thighs when you are sitting, and avoid skirts with a high slit.
When closed you suit jacket should lie flat, with no pulling across the chest.
Look at the suit as a whole piece, rather than as a jacket and pants.
Buy a suit that is solid navy, dark gray, chocolate brown, or black. Very subtle weave patterns, plaids (the kind that look solid from across the room), or pinstripes are also okay.
Your suit can be made of wool or a wool blend. However, a suit should be clean and crisp, so avoid soft or flowy fabrics.
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© Amber East 2014

11. Business Semi-Formal
Business semi-formal is the middle ground between wearing a suit and wearing business casual. A lot of the jobs you might work have a business semi-formal attire. You will, of course, still need a suit for interviews and meetings.
While giving you more room to express you personal tastes, business semi-formal attire should still be conservative and professional.
Click on the man or the woman to see more details about business semi-formal attire.
© Amber East 2014

12. Conclusion
Dress codes vary greatly from company to company, as different working environments demand different styles of attire. Obviously, a Fortune 500 company will have a much more formal dress code than a tech firm, which, in turn, is more formal than a start up.
If you ever wonder “Should I wear it?” or “Can I wear it?”, the best advice is don’t.
Start over
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© Amber East 2014

13. Men’s Business Semi-Formal
For men, business semi-formal is a nice dress shirt with an optional tie, good quality trousers, and a sports coat or sweater. You should follow the same rules of accessorizing you followed with business formal – keep it conservative and professional.
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© Amber East 2014

14. Women’s Business Semi-Formal
Ladies may wear a dress or blouse and a skirt. (They should be no more than two inches above the knee.) Dark colors look the most formal. You should follow the same rules of accessorizing you followed with business formal – keep it conservative and professional.
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© Amber East 2014

15. Now that I have the job, what do they mean when they say…
business formal?
business semi-formal?
business casual?
© Amber East 2014

16. Denim, shorts, T-shirts, and open toe sandals are not acceptable.
Business Casual
There may be times when you are told to dress "business casual" for a specific event. The important thing to note is you should never assume it is okay to dress business casual unless you have been told to do so.
This should not extend beyond a shirt without a tie or a polo shirt and khakis.
Denim, shorts, T-shirts, and open toe sandals are not acceptable.
Click on the man or the woman to see more details about business casual attire.
© Amber East 2014

17. Men’s Business Casual
The shirt can be a sweater, polo style or button-down, short-sleeved or long-sleeved – but no tie. A jacket (without a tie) is also acceptable.
Neatly pressed khaki pants (the style, not the color) are a safe choice.
Wear leather shoes and dark socks that pull up over the calf. Athletic shoes, hiking boots and sandals are not appropriate (even in the summer). Your belt should match your shoes.
Ties typically aren't needed for business casual events. If it is likely to be a more formal event, it wouldn't hurt to wear a conservative tie and just remove it if you arrive and most men aren't wearing one.
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© Amber East 2014

18. Women’s Business Casual
The top can be a sweater, short or long-sleeved, with or without a jacket. Sleeveless tops are not acceptable.
Casual pants or a knee-length skirt will be fine. Khakis may be viewed as too casual for women.
Wear leather shoes with a low or flat heel. Tennis shoes and sandals are too casual.
If you need to, carry a small purse that matches your outfit (no backpacks or purses that are worn as backpacks). A briefcase should not be necessary at a business casual event.
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© Amber East 2014

19. PRESS ESC TO EXIT Contents Interview Business Formal
Business Semi-Formal
Business Casual
Stylish and Professional
Conclusion
Introduction
Document Resources
Online Resources
Clip-art and Picture Resources
Sound Resources
Videos
Review Quiz
PRESS ESC TO EXIT

20. Document Resources
Fetto, John. Dress code – US corporations reinstituting business dress policies. Published in American Demographics magazine on 5/1/02.
Finneman, Teri. Dress codes get back in business. Published in The Forum newspaper on 9/9/06.
Nazor Hill, Karen. Dress to impress: clothes can make the difference in a job interview. Published in Chattanooga Times newspaper on 8/4/06.
Business dress codes: what to wear?? Published by Iowa State University in 2/04
Wardrobe adjustment. Published in Canadian Business journal on 11/21/05.
France, Kim and Andrea Linett. The lucky shopping manual. ISBN#

21. Online Resources
Putting you best shoe forward: deciphering business dress code. Published by the JOBSearch Center at NMU at jobsearch.nmu.edu/students/articles/dress
Rocha, Roberto. Start dressing like a pro. Published at
What your clothes say about you. Published by Career Virginia Tech at
Shakoor, A. Tariq. Dress to Impress. Published at

22. Clip-art and Picture Resources
Page one: Clip-art and background from Microsoft Office at
Pages 4, 8, and 13: Clip-art from Microsoft Office at
Page five: Pictures from Banana Republic at
Pages 5-7 and 9-10: Background created by Sheila Keefer, used with consent
Page eleven: Pictures from Banana Republic at
Pages 11, 12, and 14: Background from Microsoft Office at
Page fifteen: Picture of man from Gap at and picture of woman from Banana Republic at
Pages 15, 16, and 18: Background created by Sheila Keefer, used with consent
Page 21: Clip-art of film strip created by Amber Keefer in MSPaint
Clip-art, pictures, and backgrounds from Microsoft Office are free to the public.
Clothing from Banana Republic and Gap can be purchased on their websites.

23. Sound Resources
Page 1: Whoosh and boing sound clip from Microsoft Office at
Pages 2, 3, 17, 19: Music from Stanley Jordan’s jazz cover of “Stairway to Heaven”. It was bought at iTunes, and was recorded and edited to a small percentage of the song in Sound Recorder by Amber Keefer.
Pages 5-16, and 18: Ripping sound clip from Microsoft Office at
Clip-art, pictures, and backgrounds from Microsoft Office are free to the public.