The clothes you wear can and will play a role in your ability to land jobs, get promotions and ultimately succeed in your respective career. Of course, this is something we're taught at an early age. If you want to get a job, you need to present yourself as being professional; otherwise, the employer will probably give the job to someone else -- someone who's better dressed. In this post, we're going to reveal 10 essential rules of dressing for a success.
#1) Avoid Wearing a Sports Coat
Don't make the mistake of wearing a sports coat. There are three primary types of outerwear worn in conjunction with men's suits: sports coats, blazers and suit jackets. Of those three, the sports coat is the least formal. Because of this, it should typically be worn only for casual occasions. It's not recommended for use in the workplace.
#2) Stick with Basic Colors and Patterns
Another rule of dressing for success is to stick with basic colors and patterns. There's a time and place for experimenting with bold colors and patterns, but the workplace isn't one of them. Traditional black suits are always a great choice. In comparison, you should avoid wearing suits featuring polka dots, animal print or bright colors.
#3) Press Your Suit
Make sure your suit is pressed and wrinkle free before wearing it. Whether it's made of cotton, linen, corduroy, wool, etc., your suit is bound to develop wrinkles. And wearing a wrinkled suit to the workplace is a serious fashion faux-pas that should be avoided. So, if you find any wrinkles on your suit, take a few minutes to smooth them out with a hot steam iron. Alternatively, if you don't have a steam iron, you may be able to smooth out your suit's wrinkles by hanging it in the bathroom with the shower water running on hot. Either way, you need to eliminate your suit's wrinkles before wearing it.
#4) Wear the Right Socks
What type of socks should you wear to create a clean and professional appearance? Assuming you are wearing a suit (which you should), it's recommended that you wear a pair of thin fabric dress socks in the same color as your suit trousers. If your trousers are black, for instance, you should wear a pair of black dress socks. In doing so, your socks will blend into your trouser to create a more professional appearance. If your socks don't match your trousers, it will draw attention to your legs -- and not in a good way! The bottom line is that you should always wear socks in the same color as your trousers.
#5) Avoid Baggy Clothes
Baggy clothes send the wrong message, so make sure your clothes are fitted for your body. If your suit is too big, it will look awkward while creating a phenomenon known as the "clothes hanger" effect. Basically, this means you'll look like a clothes hanger with your suit draped over your body.
#6) Made-to-Measure Suit
Rather than taking your chances and trying to find a suit in your size at a local retail or department store, consider ordering a made-to-measure suit here at StudioSuits. The problem with retail and department stores -- at least most of them -- is that they only sell off-the-rack suits. In other words, they don't offer custom sizing. You may get lucky and find a suit in your size, but nine out of ten times this doesn't happen. By ordering your suit here at StudioSuits, however, you can specify your own measurements, which we'll use to customize the perfect suit in your size.
#7) Wear a Belt
Regardless of whether your suit trousers fit, you should wear a belt. A belt helps to define your look while creating a cleaner and more sophisticated style. Here's the thing, though: your belt should feature a slightly different color than your suit. If you're wearing a navy-colored suit, try wearing a traditional brown leather belt. Keep in mind that thin belts have a slimming effect; thus, making you appear slimmer. Because of this, many men prefer thin belts over thicker belts.
#8) Wear the Right Dress Shoes
In addition to wearing a belt, you should also wear dress shoes with your suit. There are several different types of shoes that you can wear with a suit. Loafers or Oxfords, however, typically look the best for a professional appearance. Prior to wearing them, take a minute to polish them with a lint-free cloth and small amount of shoe polish. Doing so will remove any lingering dirt or debris while also making your shoes shine a little.
#9) Check Your Necktie Length
Do you know the proper length for a necktie? If you don't, you aren't alone. Most guys pay little-to-no attention to the length of their necktie. Instead, they wrap it around their neck and hit the road. So, how long should your necktie be? A good rule of thumb is to secure your necktie so it stops at the top of your belt. If it exceeds past your belt, it will look excessively long and awkward. If it stops before your belt, it will look excessively short. So, adjust your necktie so it stops at the top of your belt, not before and not after.
#10) Accessorize
Finally, be sure to accessorize your outfit. There are a few accessories that every man should wear with a suit, including a necktie, watch and cufflinks (if they aren't built into the shirt). Additionally, you may want to wear a pocket square. This square-shaped piece of fabric is placed inside your shirt pocket for a more stylish appearance. Following these 10 tips will set you on the right path to success. Of course, wearing the right clothes is only step in becoming successful. You must also put forth the work and effort to achieve your professional goals. Nonetheless, the right clothes will give you the upper hand.
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