In business, you need to dress professionally. Unfortunately, it isn’t always clear how you can do that just right.
Confused about what to wear to work? Not sure what’s considered “formal” or “not formal enough?” Hesitant about what colors you can wear? Well, we can help you here. Whether it’s your first office job or your fifth, we totally understand that navigating the office dress code in style can be pretty intimidating and confusing.
We all know that the general expectation when working in an office is that a person should wear “professional clothes”— but what does even that mean? How do you create an office wardrobe that’s work-appropriate and comfortable, while still letting your personal style shine through?
If you’re unsure of all these things and struggling to find the right wardrobe pieces in the store, we at Michael’s Custom Clothes are here to help. As experts in the art of custom-tailoring all articles of clothing— suits, blazers, trousers, skirts, etc.— we know all the ins and outs of office attire (and doing it with flair, of course!). Here is our guide to dressing professionally in every business setting, whether it’s for day-to-day business or the office’s Casual Fridays.
How to Dress Business Casual
So here’s the thing, business casual does not necessarily mean “informal”; rather, it signifies that you are not required to wear a suit and tie. For example, a collared shirt (button-up or polo shirt) or sweater can be worn as your top— complemented with trousers, khakis, chinos, or a pencil skirt on the bottom. You may also want to add a custom blazer or sports coat for some extra pizzazz— but a complete, custom-tailored suit isn’t necessarily the criteria. And whether you wear boots, heels, flats, loafers, mules, or oxfords, we still recommend that your shoes be closed-toe and professional.
If you’re still feeling a little insecure about how to build your business casual outfit, go ahead and feel out the mood of the office first to help you understand what pairs well with how your colleagues dress. Sure, keep it casual and simple, but remember you have the opportunity to add a bit more flair and personal style than if you were dressing for a business-professional setting.
How to Dress for a Casual Work Environment
Even though a casual office dress code is less restrictive than that of a business casual one, it does not imply that you should dress as casually as you would outside of work on your days off. This type of office setting is pretty common in the creative industries, and it also applies well to those casual Fridays at more traditional organizations. Look for button-downs, blouses, and T-shirts in solid colors; as well as dark-wash or black denim without any rips or holes to uphold that professional appearance while still wearing casual attire. The fun part about this sort of dress code is that sneakers are perfectly acceptable (and we still recommend sticking to closed-toe shoes and avoiding flip-flops at all costs).
Finding the right clothes in stores is pretty difficult, considering everything is mass-produced and unoriginal. We’ll take the time to help you choose the fabric and fit to create your wardrobe, adjust to the dress codes, and add your own personal touch.
The perfect wardrobe of your dreams is around the corner. Give us a call at Michael’s Custom Clothes today, and we can help tailor-fit the perfect professional wardrobe for you and your lifestyle.
