10 Fashion Mistakes to Avoid at Work

By Rachel Wagner

According to a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article, "Terrible dressers are running wild in the office."

Today, more than ever, there seems to be confusion about what's appropriate for work. Of course, your style depends on the industry in which you work—and even the part of the country in which you live and work. But, that is never an excuse to look sloppy or wear inappropriate attire.

Your work wardrobe sends a silent message about you. And, around the office, the goal is to look like you're there to get the job done. This means that your sleek, polished and professional demeanor should be reflected in your attire and accessories. This not only shows respect to yourself and others, but it conveys to your customers and clients that you're a credible person with whom they want to do business.

And as Zig Ziglar says, “You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.”

Here are 10 fashion mistakes to avoid at work:

Men:

1. Wearing a neck tie too short. When properly tied, it should come to the bottom of the belt.
2. Wearing tropical-print shirts, cargo pants, or jeans with holes for “business casual.”  Save these for the weekend.
3. Wearing sandals or sneakers with khakis. Invest in a leather loafer-style shoe that’s dressy enough for those times when you need to throw on a sports coat. Make sure the sole is also leather, not rubber, to convey a higher level of professionalism.
4. Socks not matching the slacks. They don’t have to match exactly; a shade darker works. A subtle pattern in the socks even makes you look more put together.
5. Shoes not matching the belt. Getting dressed is simplified if you remember to match the leathers of your belt and shoes: black with black, dark brown with dark brown, tan with tan.

Women:

1. Wearing workout wear. It’s hard to take someone seriously who’s wearing something that they may take a nap in. Save the footless leggings, spandex yoga pants, t-shirts, and tank tops for the gym.
2. Wearing clothing that’s too tight, too revealing, or better suited for a night out on the town. This can be distracting and also appears unprofessional. A proper fit is both stylish and professional.
3. Flip flops. No matter how casual a company is or how great your pedicure is, save these for the weekend.
4. Excessive or noisy jewelry.  Multiple pieces of large jewelry can tend to be overwhelming in an office setting. The clink, clink, clink can be annoying to those who have to listen to it all day. Instead, try one big chunky bracelet that makes a statement but not a racket.
5. Too much animal print. I enjoy and wear animal print, but a little bit goes a long way. The key is to wear only one animal print item at a time as an accent. It could be a sheath dress, or just your shoes, or your scarf, or handbag, or cardigan, etc.

When you think about it, your company hired you because you had a professional resume. You want to also have a professional appearance on the job to project a good image.

Rachel Wagner is a certified corporate etiquette and international protocol consultant and founder of the business etiquette firm, Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol. She trains leadership teams on the topics of business and dining etiquette to polish their professional presence and the image of their company. Rachel is active with the American Society for Training and Development and the National Speaker’s Association. She is author of a popular e-zine, The Savvy Professional, and is frequently quoted in the media. She can be reached by phone at 918.970.4400 or by email at Rachel@EtiquetteTrainer.com. Website: www.EtiquetteTrainer.com.