Dress for Success

We were just given a new dress code policy the other day. It was cold and unimaginative and poorly received by the workforce. It harkened back to the days of your fathers when dresses were in for ladies and three-piece suits were the norm for the man. We should have been given something a little more up to date and business casual in nature. AND maybe some hints as to what will look good in the office.

Here are some tips to help men look professional even when wearing business casual.

Follow your leadership, do they dress with care
A suit with no tie – a great look anywhere
Sports coats in earth tones or grays the experts all feel
Mixed and matched with all shirts; they’re ideal
If the jacket’s left on so your sleeves we can’t see
Turtle neck or a polo but never a tee
And speaking of shirts, long sleeves are the best
Leave the collar unbuttoned – you’ll still past the test
And if by some chance some “big guys” come by
You can dress this look up by just adding a tie
Trousers: go dark or a medium shade
Add a good leather shoe and you’ve got it make
Think about how you look; don’t close your eyes and just guess
Always remember to dress for success

As for the ladies, I’m not an expert
But follow these guidelines and I know it won’t hurt

Regular sandals and shoes (open toes)
Are OK for the office – don’t forget pantyhose
Bare legs don’t convey a professional look
And professional women should dress by the book
Flip-flops and toe-post sandals simply won’t do
You’ll look and feel better in a dressier shoe
And those of you that are taller and lean
Horizontal patterns in jackets we’ve seen
A windowpane jacket or maybe glen-plaid
With solid trousers or skirts won’t look all that bad
They break up that vertical line you convey
And makes you appear a bit shorter they say
Full figured: consider a trouser (side zip)
And a wide straight-leg will diminish that hip
Consider a jacket cut just at the waist
It will make you look longer if done in good taste
If you are petite, a chopped jacket’s for you
Your legs will appear to grow a whole inch or two
Be it a pants-suit, a skirt, or a dress
Always remember to dress for success