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The Do’s and Don’ts of Business Attire for Women [infographic]

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In the olden days (pre-internet, and before the advent of jeans that cost about as much as dinner) people dressed up for work. Nowadays, we have a lot more freedom to choose what we wear. But for many of us, when it comes to dressing for work, too much choice is not necessarily a good thing.

businesswoman 

(Photo Credit: Arturo Chinaski/Flickr)

Fast fashion chain New Look has compiled all the non-negotiable rules of dressing for work in one infographic. Among the guidelines we tend to forget, in this age of jeans-as-workwear and nonexistent dress codes:

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1. Maybe you can wear jeans to work, but you probably shouldn’t.

It might not be technically against the rules to wear jeans, but if you’re hoping to get promoted someday, it’s always best to dress for the job you want. Presumably, the head of your department doesn’t wear jeans. If she does, they’re clean and not ripped — and she probably swaps them out for something more formal when it’s time to meet with clients.

2. Everything should fit.

The rise of cheap clothing has killed fit as a concept, but alterations are still fairly cheap, and definitely worth the investment. Make sure you don’t go off to work looking like you borrowed your older sister’s interview outfit.

3. Your clothing, makeup, and grooming make an impression.

Sure, you know you should shower before work, and not drown yourself in perfume. But have you ever thought about what wet hair, scuffed shoes, or scraggly nails say to people at work? Short answer: nothing good.

new look 

(Infographic Credit: New Look)

Tell Us What You Think

Does your company have a dress code? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter.

Jen Hubley Luckwaldt
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Kiri
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Kiri

I can’t believe this article was written in 2014. It wreaks of discrimination and actually encourages employers to continue behaviour such as to judging a female based on factors such as “wet hair” rather than actual performance. How absurd. How about an article on how to treat people with equality and limit social and racial prejudices in your own thoughts.

Golzar
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Golzar

the article was really perfect but I am a perfume fan and shower with it,actually i think its better to smell well rather than bad smells at work

Patrick Chun
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Thank you for a great article on what to do in business attire!  We have found this is not only lacking in young women just coming into the workforce, but also women re-entering the job market after being away.

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