How to: Dress well for your job

Helen Venables, MD of House of Colour, offers her top tips on planning your wardrobe…

Getting up in the morning is hard enough, let alone deciding what to wear to work. What we need are some hard and fast ways to look professional, dress well for our job and feel good so we can leave home for the day with confidence.

1. Knowing what suits you – If your capsule wardrobe is full of clothes that fit you, are the right style for you and in the best colours for you then you can save a huge amount of time (and money) and eliminate the extra stress of choosing an outfit.    

2. The Corporate Look – It may be that in very formal or conservative jobs a suit still signals success and professionalism, but what’s wrong with standing out a little and adding some flare? If tailored jackets don’t suit you, trade them in for an unstructured jacket or a good quality cotton cardigan in a colour that makes you look radiant.

3. Take Pride – Being well groomed and wearing the right size and style can make or break your professional look. If you take care of yourself this in turn tells your colleagues, bosses and clients that you are more likely to take care with your work. 

4. It is all in the detail – We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves. Know what suits you rather than opt for what’s in every High Street shop.

5. Wearing quality items says we are successful because we have investment power. Quality is always better than quantity.

6. Colour – Only one in four of us can look good in black and that includes the gents. Choose the colours that makes you look fresh and dynamic, not drained. 

7. Personalise your work attire with accessories such as bags, scarves and quality jewellery which can quickly be slipped on in the mornings to add panache and style. 

8. Be authentic – Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey and Richard Branson all have a clear work look. Being and dressing true to yourself leads to stronger bonds with your peers and removes barriers in the workplace.

9. Confidence bags the job – It is important not just how you are perceived by others, but how you feel about yourself. Have a bit of variety in your wardrobe so you can feel confident if you need to be authoritative or more relaxed and creative.

10. Smart Casual – If your job role is more casual, opt for smart-casual to give the best impression. Be on your boss’s radar for all the right reasons. The old adage still stands – dress for the job you want, not the job you have. 

Image by Republica from Pixabay