| Seeing is believing, and when management sees you | | | | at your company wear? Follow their lead. Even in |
| presenting yourself as one of them, they'll believe | | | | industries where dressing down is the norm, you can |
| you should join the party. | | | | be a cut above the rest without looking out of place. |
| Obviously having the quality of your work stand out | | | | A suit's job is to make the wearer appear polished. |
| is important. However, it's not enough to seal the | | | | This look can be achieved with more casual items by |
| deal for advancement. Why? | | | | making sure each piece of clothing is new looking, |
| Many times the impression we make on others is | | | | clean and unwrinkled, fitted well to your body, and in |
| based on quick, seemingly inconsequential interactions. | | | | colors that flatter you. Add distinguishing accessories |
| Pretend you're the head of your company. You're | | | | to your simple button down and khaki slack like a |
| strolling down the hall of your office surveying your | | | | saddle leather belt and modern lace up shoes. Dress |
| domain and you spot two of your employees exit | | | | shirts with a French cuff and cuff links are also an |
| the elevator; Johnson walking confidently in a well | | | | excellent way to elevate your appearance. |
| tailored dress shirt, slacks, and polished shoes and | | | | -Attention to detail. Your interactions with your |
| Jensen ambling forward in a wrinkled over-sized shirt | | | | superiors should never be distracted by your lack of |
| and pants that are slightly too short. Who would you | | | | attention to detail. With clothing that includes missing |
| rather represent your company? | | | | buttons, pet hair, wrinkles, lint, rips or fraying seams, |
| Taking pride in your work attire isn't just about | | | | etc. Men have a tendency of holding onto clothing |
| making powerful momentary impressions, numerous | | | | way past the expiration date, which is also not smart |
| studies have shown that a person's productivity | | | | since the past year has brought significant shifts in |
| decreases when they wear casual clothing to work. | | | | men's style. Designers have moved completely away |
| Most men know this but think dressing well for work | | | | from boxy and baggy to slim fit and tailored. If |
| is an additional full time job. I'm happy to report the | | | | you're wearing clothing that's half a decade old and |
| contrary. Once you get a handle on the basics, | | | | seen better days, it's time to replace it. You want |
| dressing well isn't any harder than just getting by and | | | | your boss noticing how on top of things you are, not |
| it can take your professional experience to a whole | | | | that you're sloppy or out of date. |
| new level. As a men's image consultant I see it time | | | | -Meet your new best friends, your tailor and your dry |
| and time again with my clients. Almost immediately | | | | cleaner. Wearing ill fitting clothing never sends the |
| after we update their professional image, they've | | | | right impression unless the message you want to |
| experienced: | | | | send is you are oblivious to the obvious. It's a trait |
| - Being singled out at a manager's meeting for | | | | that won't get you on any senior management |
| outstanding appearance and held up as an example | | | | teams other than of Enron ilk. Few men can wear |
| to follow by the company President. | | | | everything they buy off the rack without alterations. |
| - Receiving a raise that is triple the status quo at | | | | If you have any business attire that fits you in the |
| their company. | | | | following ways: baggy, too tight, too short, or too |
| - Securing $15,000 more business of additional | | | | long, either have it tailored or replace it with |
| projects from long standing (and stagnating) | | | | something that does fit. The most common mistake |
| accounts. | | | | men make is wearing shirts and pants that are too |
| - Getting promoted. | | | | big. Wrists and ankles aren't collection trays for extra |
| It's no coincidence, it's confidence. These men felt like | | | | fabric, so take the next step and get them tailored. |
| the king of the jungle in the right clothes, and it | | | | $15 is a steal when you consider what that buys you, |
| elevated their attitude and the external perception of | | | | no one ever thinking again "He's way too short for |
| others. It's no surprise they suddenly caused | | | | those pants". Find a tailor by your place of work so |
| outstanding results. | | | | it's easy for you to drop stuff off and pick it up. |
| So, here are the basics for dressing to impress at | | | | If the above still seem like too much work, utilize the |
| work: | | | | expertise of a professional. Ask around or Google |
| -Know your industry and the expectations. Walk into | | | | search for professional image consultants in your |
| a downtown Boston law firm and a Cambridge | | | | area. Their services range from demystifying what |
| bio-tech company on a Friday and it's clear business | | | | cuts, colors, and sizes are right for you to wardrobe |
| casual means very different things to different | | | | planning in your style and budget. |
| employers. What do the respected senior managers | | | | |