Professionalism Dressing up for Success
We are in a competitive world and today's professionals, no matter what their chosen career path, are subject to the same rigors of competition more so than ever before. They can no longer be contented restricting themselves to their assigned duties. If they want to be noticed, they need to make a statement, rise above the ordinary, learn to communicate effectively and at the same time facilitate the exchange of ideas and information. This is something which they need to hone and develop, something which needs a presence above and beyond what they learn in business school. Professionals today are in a sense like public figures and with this comes their reputational risk. This includes their physical presence, the aura they exude, the way they carry themselves in the presence of others, the kind of clothes they wear and how they are likely to be perceived by others.
Here, I shall touch upon one of the most important and perhaps the most overlooked of these dressing up the professional man. One question that could arise in the reader's mind is "What about the professional woman?" Dressing up the professional woman has its own dynamics and is a study in itself. I shall confine myself here to men's attire in the professional world.
Professionals not only represent themselves, they also represent their companies and their organizations in their interactions with people outside of their organizations. They should therefore pay particular attention to their dressing, their bearing and their body language. Their behavior and all that they say or do make a lasting impression on others. This makes it imperative that they are especially careful with their attire as this is what will make the first impression and as the oft-quoted clich goes "The first impression is the best impression". One important aspect of professional behavior is the ability to impress upon others their stability and longevity and this is where attire makes an important contribution.
Some pointers on the professional man's attire are given below
Shirts Plain White or Blue shirts give the impression of authority and class. I stress on the "plainness" because patterned shirts generally give the impression of casualness or being lower down in the hierarchy. This is not to say that they are to be entirely shunned. There are occasions where patterned shirts are more appropriate than a plain colored shirt. An example would be a corporate get-together where starched white or blue shirts may seem rather stiff and overbearing. Other colored shirts can be worn to break the monotony of wearing the same color shirts.
It goes without saying that shirts must be ironed free of all wrinkles. They can be treated to a bit of starch to give them that crisp feel. Too much starch is a definite no-no as it can make the shirt look very taut and unyielding. A neat and crisply ironed shirt communicates to others that the wearer takes his job seriously.
Trousers - The legs of the trousers must not be too long as otherwise this would make them fall in folds over the shoe. If they are draped over the shoes they would look highly unattractive and give a sloppy look to the wearer. Trousers, ideally, should be short enough to look smart and long enough so that they cover the bare skin above the socks when they are hitched up in a sitting posture. Any choice of color would be dictated by how well it compliments the wearer's shirt. For example, a light blue shirt would go well with dark blue trousers and vice versa. A good shirt-trouser combination is a must for the upwardly mobile professional man.
Suits The Suit is a very important part of the professional man's ensemble. In fact, I would go to the extent of calling it the true trump card in the professional man's clothing armory. A very well designed suit carries an air of refinement, good taste and accomplishment. It boosts the personality of the wearer, makes a short man look tall with pinstripes or a thin man look prosperous with soft wools. It is unfortunate, however, that a lot of men in the highest echelons of their profession do not pay enough attention to this essential piece of business clothing.
Suits come in three basic colors Blue, Gray & Black, with or without pinstripes. Pinstripes, as a matter of fact, are quite popular and noticeable these days. A few general rules that need to be observed when wearing a suit are
The Suit, irrespective of the style, should fit the body of the wearer closely.A Suit jacket should be worn with suit pants, which is made from the same material as the suit. A lot many times, this very basic rule is completely ignored.The Suit jacket should be long enough to cover the seat entirely. The bottom of the jacket, when buttoned, should be parallel to the floor from all sides.A suit should not be worn just for the sake of flaunting the label on it. What matters most is the message that comes across of a confident, successful and intelligent person.
A suit is the professional man's uniform of success. It helps to showcase his personality and to tell the world that he has arrived.
Ties The signature item of the professional man's ensemble is his tie. The tie is a reflection of a man's personality, his status in society, his personal tastes and sense of style. An investment banker, for example, normally dresses very conservatively. At times, he prefers wearing dark blue ties patterned with stripes of gray, at other times his ties are gray with blue stripes. Then again, fashionable individuals such as artists and entertainers, who are non-conformist by nature, prefer wearing designer ties that give the impression of a successful and high-flying lifestyle. Stylish silk ties, the exalted creations of designer stores, with flashy, flamboyant patterns, are more their style.
All said and done, we come to the question, what should one look for when buying a tie? As a general rule, one should consider buying ties that will go with most of the shirts and suits. This essentially translates into spending a little more on quality than quantity. Solid patterns are especially striking and elegant and the perfect fit for a board meeting. Patterned ties go well with patterned suits. But not every pattern fits every man. For example, big men can wear the larger patterns. In terms of colors, grays and blacks are always stylish. For more bold colors, one can opt for red, burgundy or the whole line of brick tones. The standard length for a necktie, depending on brands and styles, is anywhere between 52 to 58 inches long and the standard width would be 3 inches with something close to 4 inches being a little more stylish. The tip of the tie, when worn, should ideally reach the bottom of the belt buckle. And finally, one's choice in ties must be in sync with the style, suits and the rest of the attire.
Shoes Shoes complete the professional man's attire. The choice of shoes depends on the occasion. For formal occasions, black or brown leather shoes are more appropriate. At other times, shoes of the casual variety would be a better bet. Again, as in the case of ties, the shoes must fit in with the personality and wardrobe of the wearer. Some broad guidelines for men's shoes are -
Shoes, as far as possible, should match, or be darker than the color of the pants. The color of the socks does not need to match the color of the shoes. The socks, instead, must complement the rest of the outfit and serve to make it one composite whole, not unlike the tie. Shoes and belt should ideally be of the same color i.e. black with black, brown with brown. Most importantly, the shoes should be comfortable, practical and fit well. Comfort should not be sacrificed for the sake of style and fashion.
Accessories Accessories like handkerchief, wallet, and jewelry also add to the personality of the professional man, if used subtly and with discretion. For example, bulky wallets, chunky jewelry, soiled handkerchiefs are to be strictly avoided. Wallets should be slim and made of good quality leather. Bulky and bulging wallets are an eyesore. Jewelry should be minimal and unobtrusive. A good-looking watch, tiepin and a pair of smart cufflinks should serve the purpose. The handkerchief should be of good quality and freshly laundered. A clean, neatly pressed handkerchief is the hallmark of a thorough professional.
Never has the phrase "clothes make the man" been more relevant than in the case of the professional man. This is aptly conveyed in the title to this article "Dressing up for success".
