What To Wear At The Office
Corporate Styling: Stand Out while Remaining a Part of the Crowd
Corporate styling is a tricky business full of fine lines and blurred distinctions — what do I wear to a lunch meeting with my boss? How classy should I look for a client? Does anyone really know what “business casual” means, and how do I know if I’m pulling it off? It can often feel like playing a game with incredibly obscure rules that everyone knows but you, where your end goal is to have exactly the same score as everyone else. Not stylish at all.
But when it comes to finding the right way to wear your corporate look, there are some things you can do. The majority of our advice will focus on the little ways you can up your game and make yourself stand out.
From The Bottom Up
You are the foundation of your own future empire, and your dress shoes are the foundation of you. When it comes to style, skip the classic Oxfords and Derbies. A shoe that can come unlaced without warning can turn your look sloppy without warning. Buckles work better — try double monk straps and avoid the novelty socks.
Carry Your Weight In Style
It’s tempting to go for the inexpensive option on a briefcase. You’re going to be bringing it to work every day from here on out, and chances are, it’s going to get dinged, scuffed up, and all-around abused. Don’t do it. Something quality will last a lot longer and look much better. What you’re wearing and using reflects on you.
Watch Out
Accessorizing is one of the “safest” ways to distinguish yourself. Your choice of watch can and will say a lot about your taste, your fashion experience, and even your finances. This is an area you’ll want to spend some extra time — and eventually money — on, before you make the purchase.
Make Your Suit, Suit You
Off the rack is quicker and cheaper, true, but having your suit tailored specifically to you ensures that no one else will have exactly the same one. If you do your research right, it’s also your best chance to find the style and details that suit you best. What types of pockets do you prefer? Which lapel best matches the majority of your shirts? Off the rack is “one size fits most.” Having a suit made is “a fit that fits you.”
You Are Your Own Best Investment
Whatever you decide to wear, keep in mind that the money and time you spend on yourself counts as an investment in your future. It might feel like an unnecessary expense, or resources that could be put to better use, but keep this in mind: if you’re spending fifty dollars on shoes, expect to spend fifty dollars more in a year. If you’re spending five hundred, expect to have a pair of shoes you could hand down to your children — if they weren’t already so comfortable, and they didn’t already fit you so well.
Now you are to dress like a Combatant Gentlemen
