Dress Code
Knowing your office dress code is a must in any profession, especially if your job requires that you are customer facing. Some employers insist women wear hose at all times. Some prefer the men are always in the classic suit and tie while others are okay with polo shirts for everyone. Dress codes can be pushed in many directions right down to whether or not a thong sandal is appropriate (I've been there). If you don't know your office policy it never hurts to bump it up a notch into a more professional style rather than slack on it and wait to see if anyone says anything to you. There's nothing worse than being called into the manager's office to talk about your need to get un-crumpled clothes from your closet rather than from your hamper.
If fashion is your thing, great, you'll have an unending supply of ideas for outfits to wear to your job, just keep it tasteful. Let us not forget the girls with their actual thongs showing when they sit down. If you're not so into the runway scene there are some basic principles to remember. Keep it simple and reusable. A black jacket with five different colored tops is far better (and cheaper) than five different specific or detailed outfits. One will get you through a couple of weeks, the other will get you through one week and then you're back to square one come next Monday. Also, never underestimate the power of dark colored slacks. A spill or two happening on these babies will either wash out or not show. The last thing you want if your clothes are in limited supply is something white or khaki. And guys, yes, dark socks, all the time. You don't want to become an Oreo when you cross your ankle over your knee to show black pants, white socks, black shoes.
While we're not all Michelle Pfeiffer in One Fine Day, where the dinosaur t-shirt somehow works with the dress jacket, we can strive to stay to the rules of the dress code. If you're really not sure if something fits or fails, ask your supervisor before you wear it in. Much like the morning after an office Christmas party, there are some things you can't take back and, like it or not, people could be discussing your blunders for a few days afterwards. Finally, if you remember nothing else, always lead with your personality and your abilities. Most bosses can overlook the slight imperfections of your attire if you show yourself to be exceptionally capable with your performance.
