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Dress for success (part 5): Don'ts for men
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My husband and I ride the train to work together every day. He knows I’m basically embarrassed to be seen with him (wait, let me finish) because I am dressed in a suit or dress, and he’s in a t-shirt and jeans, both of which are likely to be covered in grease stains.
But, as much as I hate to admit it, his image is not inappropriate. Why? Because he is an electrical engineer for the government, and believe it or not, most of the people in his branch actually dress worse. (In case you were wondering, he gets dirty while building top-secret stuff at work, and grease is hard to get out.)
Keeping in mind men (and women) should dress appropriately for their particular workplace and industry, what are some pitfalls men should avoid?
1. Strong or offensive body odor. “Be liberal with the deodorant and conservative with the after-shave or cologne,” said Karen Nethersole, CEO and founder of Full Circle NY.
2. Wear “street” shoes. “Flip flops and street shoes are usually not ok in a professional work environment,” said Carly Kuennen, HR generalist for SALO.
3. Neglect suit maintenance. “Take good care of your suit – hang it up properly with a wooden hanger, use a garment bag, let it air out after being in a smoky environment, get it professionally cleaned no more than once a season and lengthen your suit’s life by giving it a day’s rest in between wearings,” said Gary Field, founder of Career Gear.
4. Flashy jewelry. “The diamond cufflinks and gold chains may go over well in Hollywood but most employers won’t be favorably impressed. They’ll form opinions about your night job instead,” said Barbara DesChamps, a wardrobe consultant.
5. Wear a suit that is too short or too long. “The pant legs and sleeves should cover your entire arm or leg, but not have excess material covering your hands or feet,” said Robin Kazmarek, director of career services at Stetson University.
6. Let “casual Friday” be your undoing. “While others are coming to work in wrinkled khakis and worn polos, show that you can still inspire excellence, even in a relaxed environment,” said Emmi Sorokin, men's image consultant and founder of It's a Man's World Co. “A dress shirt with French cuffs and distinctive cuff links looks professional without appearing stuffy. If you plan on wearing khakis to the office, buy the kind that are either treated to be wrinkle-free or contain lycra to avoid looking sloppy after a few hours of wear.”
7. Dirty finger nails. “Not only is it unsightly, but unsanitary. Keep nails clean and clipped,” said Lisa Punter, president of Exceed Consulting Group.
8. Wear sport socks. “Sports socks are called sports socks for a reason - they are meant to be worn during a sports event and not at the office. Socks should match the color of your shoe or be one shade lighter than the color of your shoe,” said Amy Elizabeth Casson, president of Polished Image.
9. Juvenile language. “Leave the kid talk behind. Slang is not used in business. Don't use words like ‘you guys,’ ‘that's sweet,’ ‘my bad,’ etc.,” said Valerie Sokolosky, president of Valerie and Company.
10. Drink the night before a big meeting or interview. “You will appear bloated and bleary eyed whether you feel hung-over or not,” said Jenn Hoffman, president of Get Some Media.
| <-- Part 4: Don'ts for women |
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