Dress for success: A stylish work outfit will help you turn heads
Mad Men wasn’t a hit show just because of the writing and acting. People loved it because it oozed style. Everyone wanted to look as cool and sharp in a suit as Don Draper.
But it’s one thing to admire a style icon, and another to follow in their footsteps – partly because it’s hard, but also perhaps it’s a bit psychological.
In almost every aspect of our working lives, we strive to stand out. But when it comes to dressing for work, many of us shy away, and hope to merely blend in. Why is that?
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Many men choose to leave their style at home each day – or probably closer to the truth, they don’t have one to begin with. They shun their work outfit as a means to an end or as simply a uniform – but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own.
In fact, when you’re one of a thousand people in a company, differentiating yourself is a great thing to do. You shouldn’t be afraid to stand out, or be known for your own personal taste.
Like it or not, style is important: your personality isn’t the first thing people see. Take a moment and think about how your colleagues dress. You’ll normally picture a few who dress well, a few more who dress badly, with everyone else a grey blur in between.
If you want to avoid falling into that blur, and unleash your inner Don Draper, you can always start small and just be “the guy with the pocket square and spotty socks”. Adding a bit of fun and style into your workfare doesn’t have to be groundbreaking.
To help you out, here are three simple ways to sharpen your look, without too much stress. They even form an easy acronym that anyone working in the City should be able to remember – FCA (fit, care, and accessorize).
Fit
First and foremost, think fit. A cheap suit that fits well will look better than an expensive suit that doesn’t.
If you can afford to get your clothes tailored, I’d highly recommend it for both the fit and the longevity of the garments. If not, get minor alterations done to your existing suits, and it will make a world of difference.
It might sound obvious, but wearing clothes that fit well will solve 90 per cent of your style problems.
Care
As annoying as they may be, care labels are there for a reason. The way you wear your clothes is just as important as the clothes you wear.
Regardless of the dress code – smart, casual, or business casual (defining these is another issue entirely) – the one thing that shouldn’t be absent is care. Casual doesn’t mean scruffy, and smart doesn’t mean a creased shirt.
Put the same amount of effort into looking after your work clothes as you do your “best” clothes, and you are halfway towards your style goals.
Accessorize
Don’t scrimp on the accessories. A good pair of shoes is essential, and make sure they are clean and polished. More often than not, it’s the little details like that which people will notice.
Good quality socks are also a must-have. They’re a great way to add some personality to your outfit, and they will get seen a lot more than you think.
And don’t be afraid of a tie, even if they’re no longer compulsory. A suit looks unfinished without one, and ties look equally smart with a blazer and chinos. They’re a great way to add colour and texture to your outfit, and shouldn’t be underestimated.
If you really don’t like wearing ties, try a pocket square instead. It adds some colour and personality, and draws the eye away from your open neckline. It also gives confidence to the outfit, and by default to the wearer.
The right look can make a big difference to job interviews and meetings. The way you present yourself says a lot about you. Make sure it’s saying the right thing.
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