Dress for SuccessLook the Part for the Classroom and

the Work Place

Office of Career Services

As an up and coming professional, you represent a brand and that brand is

YOU! The way you talk, walk, act, and look reflects the brand. Before you

even speak a word, most people will size you up by your appearance.

That’s why it is imperative that you build a wardrobe that correlates with

the brand. The following slides provide some tips and insight on

creating a winning brand.

Class/On-campus Attire

While you are considered an adult, what you wear and the way you present yourself speaks volumes about your character and the manner in which people, including your professors, will treat and respond to you. College is a place of higher learning and wearing pajamas, sagging

pants, mini dresses, house shoes, and head scarves/wraps on campus contradicts a higher

level of thinking and being. While it isn’t necessary to wear a suit to class, it is

expected of you to dress like you are suited to learn and not doing chores around the house.

INAPPROPRIATE CLASS/ON-CAMPUS ATTIRE

Baseball caps or hats (worn in the classroom)Low-cut shirts Visible bra strapsMidriff shirtsPajamas, long johns or underwear stylesHair scarves, wraps and doo-ragsFlip flopsSuggestive or vulgar wording or pictures on apparelFrayed or torn clothingTight, formfitting shorts, pants, jeans, dresses and skirts

Inappropriate Class/On-campus Attire

Inappropriate Class/On-campus Attire

Appropriate Class/On-campus Attire

Appropriate Class/On-campus Attire

Professional Business AttireBusiness attire is appropriate for job/internship

interviews and professional places of employment.Business attire is different from weekend and evening

wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. While skills and experience count, so does personal appearance and

that all important first impression.

Proper Business Attire for Men

In men's clothing, fashion does not change significantly from season to season but proper

business attire is about being professional and not about being fashionable. It's about presenting

yourself in a way that makes the interviewer and your potential clients feel comfortable and

confident with you. Dressing for success is still the rule. Keep in mind these points when deciding what to wear to an interview as well as to work.

Business Attire Consultant Lydia

Ramsey

Men’s Business Professional

Pressed and professional suit; dark colors: gray, navy, black, or brown. Solids or muted pinstripes

Jacket and pants should be the same color. Button jacket when standing; unbutton when seating

White or conservative color dress shirt. Straight collar; long sleeves. Cuffs extending ¼” beyond jacket sleeve

Conservative tie Polished shoes and matching belt Dark socks to compliment suit and long enough that skin is

not seen when legs are crossed Hairstyles should be conservative; get a haircut if necessary Hands and nails neat and clean Keep cologne to a minimum Earrings, tongue rings, eyebrow rings, nose rings and visible

tattoos are unacceptable (use a concealer to hide visible tattoos)

Men’s Business

Professional

Proper Business Attire for Women

When women entered the workplace in the 1970's and 1980's in greater numbers than ever before and began to move into positions which had traditionally been held by men, many of

them believed that they needed to imitate male business attire. The result was women showing up at the office in

skirted suits or coordinated skirts and jackets with tailored blouses finished off with an accessory item that looked very much like a man's tie. Happily those days are gone. While the business woman now wears pants to work, she does it out of a desire to appear professional and at the same time enjoy the flexibility and comfort that pants offer over skirts. Her

goal is no longer to mirror her male colleagues.

Business Attire Consultant Lydia Ramsey

Proper Business Attire for Women

The same overall rules apply to women’s work attire as to men’s. Business clothing is not

a reflection of the latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her

professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within

the industry.

Business Attire Consultant Lydia

Ramsey

Women’s Business Professional

Pressed and professional pant or skirt business suit Solid colors are best: navy, black, gray or brown Solid or muted pinstripes Skirt length should be at or right below the knee Shirt collar or jewel (rounded) neckline, blouse or shell. No visible

cleavage Flesh-tone hosiery; no bare legs (bring an extra pair in the event of

an emergency) Hair styles should be conservative in style and color Polished closed-toe shoes no higher than 1½ inches Hands and nails should be clean and neat, nails no longer that ¾

inch with conservative nail polish Tongue rings, eyebrow rings, nose rings and visible tattoos are

unacceptable (use a concealer to hide visible tattoos) Limited jewelry – earrings no larger than a quarter and one ring per

hand, one necklace etc. Keep perfume and scented lotions to a minimum

Women’s Business

Professional

Campus Business Casual

Campus business casual is appropriate for career fairs,

employer information sessions, class andinformal segments of an on-site interview.

Women’s Campus Business Casual Pants or skirt: Jacket is not necessary. Darker colors best;

soft colors-business patterns. Stay professional—no trendy or campus attire

Skirt length: At knee or just below. No short skirts or tight skirts or pants

Woven shirts: Cotton or cotton/polyester blend. Any muted, conservative solid, stripe, or plaid. Button-down or straight collar. Long sleeves are best. Not even a hint of cleavage. Ensure that button closures across chest are not too tight

Knit shirts: Cotton, wool, cashmere or silk blends. Short or long sleeve. Sweater sets. No hint of cleavage

Shoes: No bare toes. Black, burgundy, brown leather. Pumps or flats with 1½ ” heel; no stilettos

Pantyhose, tights or trouser socks Tongue rings, eyebrow rings, nose rings and visible tattoos

are unacceptable (use a concealer to hide visible tattoos)

Women’s Business Casual On the Job

1. Ask your human resources department for official guidelines. Business casual means different things at different companies.

2. Before you go casual, check your daily planner to make sure you don't have any meetings that require formal business attire.

3. Select clean, wrinkle-free clothes.

4. Wear a good-quality blouse or knit shirt. Include a casual blazer or cardigan if appropriate.

5. Wear pressed khakis or other slacks, or a dress or skirt. If a dress is sleeveless, wear a blazer or cardigan over it. Check your company's policy before you decide to wear jeans to work.

6. Wear shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for your outfit.

7. Keep the makeup light. Let your natural beauty shine through.

8. Accessorize with a silk scarf or classic bracelet to give your casual outfit a polished look.

eHow Fashion

Women’s Business Casual Campus & On the Job

Men’s Campus Business Casual

Pressed slacks--jacket is not necessary. Check for proper rise fit and inseam. Jacket and pants do not need to be same color

Woven shirts: 100% cotton or cotton/polyester blend. Any muted, conservative solid, stripe, or plaid. Button-down/straight collar. Long sleeves

Knit shirts: Natural fibers and blends. Must have collar. Short or long sleeve. No crew neck (t-shirt) collars. Sweater vest or sweater over collared shirt

Ties: Not necessary, but acceptable Shoes and belt: Dark leather slip-on or lace-up. Polished

and clean. Belt should match shoe color Socks: NO WHITE SOCKS. Dark color should complement

pants/shoes. Light to medium weight Tongue rings, eyebrow rings, nose rings and visible tattoos

are unacceptable (use a concealer to hide visible tattoos)

Men’s Business Casual on the Job

1. Ask your human resources department for official guidelines. Business casual means different things at different companies. At a large corporation, it may mean a sport coat with a tie; at a smaller company, it may mean khakis and a polo shirt.

2. Check your daily planner to make sure you don't have any meetings that require formal business attire.

3. Select clean, pressed and wrinkle-free clothes.

4. Wear a collared shirt with an undershirt. You can break up the oxford shirt monotony by wearing a linen or flannel shirt or one with a band collar. Knitted shirts and polo shirts are also generally acceptable. A casual sport coat is appropriate.

5. Wear khakis, chinos, corduroys or other non-denim slacks. Check your company's policy before you decide to wear jeans to work.

6. Wear a belt that matches the color of your shoes.

7. Wear socks that match the color of your pants; leave white socks or tube socks in your gym bag.

8. Choose oxfords, loafers, rubber soled leather shoes or boots for casual day. Wingtips are often too formal. Worn-out shoes, sandals or athletic shoes don't make the grade.

eHow Fashion

Men’s Business Casual Campus & On the Job

The old adage: First impressions are lasting impressionsrings true especially when it comes to your attire. You don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like it. Style is just as

much about attitude and class. Go through your closet and get rid of those items that don’t speak to your desired

professional and personal path; as well as those items that aretoo small. What’s the point of earning excellent grades but not scoring a great job or keeping it because of your appearance. Visit the Office of Career Services’ Clothes Closet if you are in

need of professional attire. We are more than happy to assist you.

Contact the Office of Career Services to schedule an appointment for a mock interview, discuss career

options, or get assistance in writing your cover letter and resume, and other career-related matters.

Monday, Wednesday 12:00-4:00pmTuesday, Thursday 9:00am-1:00pm

Friday 10:00am-12:00pm

SBE, Suite 230 or 672-1205

www.uncfsu.edu/CareerServ/

References:Ramsey, Lydia, Dressing Your Best For Women, http://www.mannersthatsell.com/articles/dressingyourbestwomen.html

eHow Fashion, www.ehow.com