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FEATURE ARTICLE
What Not To
Wear To Work: A Top 10 Guide for Women
A little
confused about what to wear to work?
You're not
alone. With society becoming more casual and many company dress codes
going un-enforced, it's not unusual to walk into a business and see
employees wearing anything from gym clothes to traditional business attire.
But just how
much is this "anything goes" attitude impacting businesses?
Well, with Human Resource professionals reporting that nearly 95% of
people dress inappropriately for their jobs, it's translating into
fewer sales, unhappier customers, and lower employee salaries.
Most of which
could be avoided if workers simply understood the importance of
appropriate business dress. Unfortunately, many of them don't.
They're putting comfort and personal style ahead of being appropriate
and relatable, and it's cost them BIG in terms of credibility,
promotability, and income.
So what
SHOULDN'T you wear to work to avoid being inappropriate?
Well, if you
start with these three basic tenets:
1. The more
skin you show, the less formal it becomes.
2. How you
dress for business (sloppy, rumpled, tidy, immaculate) is often
considered a reflection of your skills.
3. How well
you represent your company's image through your attire will determine
how easily you succeed there.
You can pretty
much eliminate what NOT to wear by simply covering appropriately,
dressing with care, and representing your company with pride.
So what are
the top ten things NOT to wear to work?
1. Gym Clothes
Sweats,
shorts, and tennis shoes have their place, but it usually isn't at
work -- unless, of course, you work at a gym or in the fitness industry.
2. Club Clothes
Sequins,
sparkles, and other cocktail attire all qualifies as after-five
apparel. So don't wear them to your day job -- EVEN if you'll be
hitting the club scene after hours.
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3. Plunging Necklines
Ever try to
hold an intelligent conversation with a man when you're wearing a
plunging neckline? You can't - he's too busy sneaking peeks at your
cleavage. Which is why, if you want to be taken seriously in
business, you should not wear revealing necklines to work. |
Newport-News.com |
4. Midriff Tops
Unless you
work as a belly dancer, no one at work should see your navel. Keep
your belly covered and focus attention elsewhere - like to your
talents, brains, and savvy.
5. Super
Low Rise Pants
Like midriff
tops, super low rise pants show too much skin and create a
distraction. Opt for more modest styles to be taken more seriously at work.
6. Micro Minis
Since it's all
about covering up for credibility, you need to save your micro minis
for after hours -- unless, of course, you work as a cheerleader for a
professional sports team.
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7. Flip Flops
Flip flops are
cute, fun, easy-to-wear, and the best-selling footwear on the planet.
But unless you work on the beach or as a lifeguard, they're way too
casual for work.
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Bluefly.com |
8. Stiletto Heels
Bare legs and
stiletto heels spell seduction, not serious business. Think they're
sexy? You're right, they are -- which makes them perfect for after
hours, but completely inappropriate for work.
9. Slogan T-shirts
Love
rock-and-roll, Elvis, or your neighborhood insurance company? Then
say it with words, not on a t-shirt you wear to work. Not only are
slogan t-shirts way too casual for the average office, their message
often distracts from the business at hand.
10.
Piercings In Odd Places
If people are
staring at your eyebrow, nose, or tongue ring, then they're not
paying attention to what you're saying. So don't create a distraction
with piercings in odd places; keep attention focused on the business
at hand.
Now you may
think these guidelines are old fashioned or that they infringe on
your personal style, particularly if you work in a creative field.
You may be right.
But there's
not a lot of wiggle room in creating a good first impression in
business; either you're dressed appropriately, or you're not. If you
cross the line into inappropriate, you'll lose credibility, business,
and income - regardless of how brilliant you are. That's just how the
world works.
Let me put it
another way:
Did you ever
play on a team sport in school? What would have happened if you
showed up to play a game without your uniform? Would you still have
been allowed to play? Probably not. Why? Because uniforms quickly
identify all the players in a game, so that everyone - players and
spectators alike - know at a glance in the midst of hard play who
belongs to which team. If you're out of uniform, you can't be
identified quickly as belonging to either team.
Business
attire is exactly like that. Show up to work in the uniform of your
industry, and you can get to work on "moving the ball
forward," so to speak, in fulfilling your company goals. Show up
in any old thing, and people have to figure out what team you're on
and what position you play. It can stall your career just like it
stalls a game, but without you even realizing it.
So what should
you NOT wear to work?
Anything that
jeopardizes your credibility and pulls attention away from the matter
at hand: fulfilling the job you were hired to do.
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Need some more
suggestions on how to create a powerful, profitable image? Download a
copy of BUSINESS WEAR MAGIC to see how income-enhancing the proper
business attire can be,
http://www.businesswearmagic.com
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