Dressing etiquette

2. Appropriate attire—know difference between
business casual and casual attire
Gain edge in business with appropriate attire
Be sensitive to your industry
Dress the part for the role you play
Appearance may make or break career
First impression continues to make a lasting
impression
Recognize the value of company’s business casual
guidelines

3. Attire appropriate for meetings or an office
environment
Purpose is to convey a professional
appearance, as well as create an environment
conducive to work
Personal expression is encouraged, but should
not be taken to extremes

4. A classic suit
A navy or black blazer and
skirt
A cardigan sweater
A plain white or cream
blouse in silk or rayon or a
tailored tee
With a light colored jacket
or sweater wear a darker
colored blouse.

5. Pantsuits are great
investments on business
casual days.
Trousers and a blazer or a
cardigan sweater are also
appropriate.
Twill pants in black, navy,
or khaki are appropriate.
If you are unsure if slacks
are appropriate, simply
mirror the highest-ranking
female in your company.

6. Basic skirts in black,
navy, khaki, or taupe
Skirts should be same
length as business
professional skirt
length or longer
A long skirt makes a
feminine statement for
business casual

7. Coordinate with the other items worn
Classic leather pumps or flats in black, navy, taupe, or
burgundy
Hosiery should be the same shade or lighter than shoes
and hemline
With short-sleeved jacket or top skin-toned hosiery is a
must
Make black, navy, or burgundy handbag / briefcase the
smallest size possible to still be functional

8. Hair should be or give appearance of
shoulder length or shorter
Makeup should accentuate features
rather than jumping out--eyes and lips
important communication tools
Fingernails should be well maintained

9. Dressing too casually
4 of the most commonly made business casual
Not wearing hosiery
Wearing a skirt that is too short
Wearing sleeveless or halter tops and see-through blouses
Wearing stretch pants
How to decide what is appropriate
Look good
Dress up a notch
Thinking an outfit inappropriate means it probably is

10. Don’t wear business casual attire when…
Not yet invested in business casual attire
When talking about salary or a performance appraisal
When unsure of outfit
When outfit is not cleaned or pressed
When unsure about an organization’s dress code on a
visit
When interacting with potential clients or international
clients
Are jeans appropriate?
When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to
work
And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good
condition

11. Don’t wear business casual attire when…
Not yet invested in business casual attire
When talking about salary or a performance appraisal
When unsure of outfit
When outfit is not cleaned or pressed
When unsure about an organization’s dress code on a
visit
When interacting with potential clients or international
clients
Are jeans appropriate?
When the highest-ranking woman or CEO wears them to
work
And, only if they are cleaned, pressed, and in good
condition

12. Women must look right to get
foot in the door
Only suits?
Some companies have
unwritten rule for suits only
In other companies,
business professional dress
can mean suit, dress,
pantsuit, or blazer and skirt

13. Suits in black, navy, gray, and taupe
Brighter colored jackets and skirts from
business casual may be blended into business
professional
Skirts that are calf-length are appropriate
A blazer and coordinating skirt is appropriate
when policy is more relaxed
Long-sleeve classic style dress in a good color
Black, gray, navy, and tan are good color
choices--project authority
Avoid floral designs and other prints

14. Easy to maintain hairstyle
Hair length—appearance of shoulder length or
shorter
Make-up--accentuate features
Eyes and lips are important communication tools
Fingernails--well maintained, subtle polish colors or
natural look
Eyeglasses
Glasses denote serious/intelligent
Conservative frames

15. Dress up a notch rather
than down a notch
Give extra edge by looking
good on her way up ladder
Quality clothes
Investment
Thinking an outfit
inappropriate--probably is

16. Company manual
Distributed to potential and present employees
Followed
Enforced
Dress by and for example
Knowledgeable
Sensitive to own industry
Dress the part for the role you play