| If your company has a casual dress code, getting | | | | that go with everything. Then it's easy to add |
| dressed for work can be confusing. | | | | color and pattern to personalize your look |
| How do you want to be perceived in the | | | | Don't: |
| workplace? Chances are, whatever your job | | | | 1. Don't believe that permanent press clothes do |
| situation, you want to be perceived as a | | | | not need to be ironed. They still need to be |
| competent professional. Here are some do's and | | | | pressed lightly. |
| don'ts for projecting a professional image on the | | | | 2. Don't wear rubber-soled shoes or athletic shoes |
| job. | | | | to the office. This is sports wear, not business |
| Do: | | | | casual wear. Wear leather shoes, and make sure |
| 1. Recognizer that every organization has a dress | | | | they are in good condition. |
| code, even if it's not written down. If you aren't | | | | 3. Don't (women) consider a scrunchie to be an |
| sure about your company's dress code, look at | | | | appropriate hair accessory for work. |
| the people above you. How does your manager | | | | 4. Don't (men) wear white or athletic socks with |
| dress? How do the VPs, or owners of the | | | | dress pants. Wear dress socks that match your |
| company dress? If you want to be promoted, | | | | pants. |
| dress the way they do. | | | | 5. Don't forget to maintain hair coloring. Letting |
| 2. Choose clothes that are flattering to your | | | | your hair grow to reveal dark or grey roots of |
| figure, and complement your coloring. Have | | | | one inch or more makes you look like you don't |
| clothes tailored to fit you -business casual clothes | | | | care about your looks. Head to the hairdresser |
| as well. You'll be surprised at how polished you | | | | when your roots start to show. |
| look. | | | | 6. Don't arrive at work on business casual days |
| 3. Put some thought into your business casual | | | | without a way to upgrade your look. The simplest |
| wardrobe. Many people spend time coordinating | | | | way is to have a jacket handy to put over a |
| their business suits, but consider their business | | | | casual outfit. For men, keep an extra tie available. |
| casual wardrobe to be an afterthought. Wrong. | | | | For women, a necklace or slightly higher heeled |
| You should spend as much time, or more, on | | | | shoe can add polish and panache. |
| your business casual wardrobe, so you look | | | | 7. Don't dress to match your colleagues. Put your |
| put-together and professional. | | | | outfit together based on what your managers |
| 4. Build a basic business casual wardrobe, starting | | | | wear. |
| with a few pairs of pants/skirts in dark colors | | | | |