Your Guide to Business Professional Clothing

It’s no secret that people feel strongly about workplace dress codes. For some, it can be a reason to turn down a job offer — even in such a competitive labor market. Others would prefer an informal dress code to a salary bump of $5,000. In general, this inclination towards more casual attire in the office is reflected in the actual dress codes of the average American workplace. It’s estimated that 62% of companies in the U.S. allow casual dress at least once a week and 36% allow casual dress every day.

Still, this leaves a ton of workplaces which still require employees to dress professionally. Furthermore, even if your workplace doesn’t require you to dress up every day, it’s likely you’ll encounter situations in which you want to dress to impress — e.g. important presentations, networking events, etc.

Whether you have to put together a business professional outfit every morning, or you just need to have one go-to outfit in your closet for special events, we’ve put together a straight-forward guide to help you meet standards, pick pieces, and save money in the process.

Business Professional — The Basics

Clothing Rules

• Neutral Colors
• Suits/Dresses/Skirts
• Close-toed dress shoes
• Wrinkle-Free
• Quality Materials (nothing sheer, ripped, etc.)

Appearance Rules

• Clean, well-groomed hair
• Clean nails
• No over-to-top make-up/hair styles
• Little exposed skin

Balancing Chic and Comfort

There are many reasons people tend to prefer casual clothes to professional attire, but comfort is generally at the top of everyone’s list. Most of the clothing items listed above are associated with being stiff and unforgiving, and it makes sense that people don’t want to feel uncomfortable while at work. In fact, research shows that when workers are allowed to wear clothes they feel comfortable in, “morale is higher and people are more productive overall.”

So how do you find the balance between meeting workplace standards and being comfortable? This is where investment pieces come into play.

What is an Investment Piece?

The term ‘investment piece’ refers to a clothing item that is an investment — meaning it costs more money, but will also last longer and act as a staple in your wardrobe. Investment pieces aren’t just expensive, but also top-quality and practical. A designer T-shirt, for instance, isn’t an investment piece because t-shirts are easily worn out and can’t be worn to most workplaces. A nice, tailored jacket, on the other hand, is a great investment piece. Other examples could be tailored slacks, a structured dress that fits you just right, or dress shoes that are actually comfortable to wear.

The best part about owning one or two investment pieces, is that they can be used to dress up other, less expensive (and more comfortable) items of clothing. Let’s say you have a wrap dress that, on its own, wouldn’t be considered dressy enough — throw on a tailored suit jacket and heeled Mary Janes, and you’re good to go.

There are two rules you need to follow when looking for professional investment pieces:

• Make sure they’re versatile, multi-seasonal
• Make sure they’re actually comfortable and reflect your style

Although the price tag on some of these items might be alarming at first, research shows that spending more money on higher-quality items, as opposed to the products of fast-fashion, does cost less in the long run.

Other Cost-Saving Tips

In addition to putting more money into long-lasting investment pieces, those worried about the price of cultivating a business professional wardrobe should get in the habit of checking thrift stores — which often have items that are lightly used, or even still have the tags. Online thrift stores are also good options, considering shoppers can often find individuals selling multiple clothing items of a similar style and size when cleaning out their personal closets.

But we know what you’re thinking — your schedule is already too packed, when are you going to find the time to go shopping? Between meetings? Before your interview for the new job? On your way back from the library where you printed off a dozen copies of your resume?

We can’t help you as much with the clothing side of things, but why not let us at least take something off your plate — shopping for a new job, perhaps?

At CyberCoders, our recruitment experts are ready to help you move up in your career. With our matching technology and dedicated, well-connected staff, our recruitment process is fast and reliable. Our services are also an investment — an investment in yourself and your future.

To learn more, check out our jobs today!