When it comes to dressing for work, men have it a little easier than their female counterparts. Men’s Business attire tends to be more standardized, with fewer risks and potential missteps. Women, on the other hand, have to balance professional standards with broader trends across all industries. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about men’s business attire. Whether you’re just starting your career or are looking to switch industries and are needing to update your wardrobe, we’ve got you covered. There are a lot of small details that go into creating the perfect look for work; these tips will help you get there faster and with less stress.
What to Wear to Work?
If you’re just starting your career, you’ll probably spend most of your time in a business suit. While it’s important to find a style that fits well, there are a few other factors to keep in mind. The color of your suit will have a huge impact on the way others perceive you, so it’s worth considering this when making your choice. Blue and black are the safest options for men, with blue being the more neutral of the two. If you’re the creative type, you may want to steer clear of these colors. Although you don’t necessarily have to go with a super bold color, at the very least make sure your suit isn’t black. Black is too formal for daily wear and can give off the wrong impression.
Dark-Colored Suits
Suits come in an endless variety of colors. If you work in a creative field, you may want to go with a brighter hue. If you work in a more conservative industry, though, you’re best off avoiding anything that makes you stand out. The safest options are navy blue, charcoal grey, and black. Avoid lighter colors like beige; they don’t convey power and authority as strongly as darker colors. If you’re going to wear a dark-colored suit, make sure you pair it with lighter colored clothing. This can be anything from a blue shirt to a light grey shirt to white or light blue undershirt. Dark colors appear more commanding when worn with lighter colors.
Pants
Dark-colored dress pants are the default for many industries. However, you can avoid looking bland and boring by mixing up the fabrics and patterns. Woven fabrics like wool or tweed are standard for almost every industry, but you can add a little personality by trying out chino, linen, or cotton blends. If you’re working in a creative field, you may want to go with a more experimental fabric like linen or cotton. Just be careful when experimenting with fabrics: you don’t want to overdo it. If you’ve got a pair of trousers with a bold design, make sure it’s not too overpowering. Avoid wearing a pair of pants with a design that’s too small or bold.
Shirts
Most large companies have an official dress code, and they almost always require long-sleeved shirts. If you work in a smaller company, you can probably get away with short sleeves. In most cases, though, you’ll want to stick to long sleeves. The type of shirt you’re wearing can also make a bit of difference. Light blue and white are standard for business, but you can also try a light pink shirt for a more creative industry. Stay away from bold prints, though; you’re trying to look professional, not trendy. If you wear a patterned shirt, make sure it’s toned down. Avoid wearing button-up shirts with large buttons, especially if you’re a younger employee.
Shoes and Accessories
Most men don’t change their footwear based on the type of business they’re entering. This is fine for the majority of careers, but if you work in a creative industry, you might want to switch up your footwear. Creative types may want to go with a pair of Oxford-style shoes. You can also try buckling your shoes instead of tying them. Both of these options help you stand out a little bit while still maintaining a professional look. It’s important to keep your accessories toned down, too. Don’t wear a flashy tie or an overly large watch. Instead, keep it simple. You don’t want to distract people.
Dark-Colored Blazers
If you don’t want to wear a suit every day, a blazer is a good alternative. Many men opt for a black blazer, but it’s important to keep in mind that black isn’t the most professional color. If you’re working in a creative industry, black can seem a bit too trendy. Instead, go for a dark grey blazer. It’s less formal than black, but still comes across as professional. If you’re working in a more conservative industry, you can also go with navy blue. Many companies also have a dress code that requires you to match your blazer with your pants. If this is the case, make sure you’re matching navy blue pants with a navy blue blazer.
Coats
If it gets cold where you work, you can always throw a coat on over your blazer. There are a few styles of coat that are appropriate for work, but the most common is a pea coat. If you work in a creative industry, you can try something a little more daring, like a trench coat. Just make sure you’re keeping the rest of your outfit toned down. Don’t wear a bright red coat with dazzling yellow pants. The most important thing to remember when choosing your coat is that it should be big enough to cover your bottom half. You don’t want to be walking around with your lower body exposed. You also want to make sure it’s appropriate for your industry. If you work in an office, you’ll want to avoid a coat with lots of decorations and details.
Summing up
A business suit is the most common type of attire in the corporate world. If you work in a creative industry, you don’t have to wear a boring suit if you don’t want to. Just make sure you’re not drawing too much attention to yourself. Darker colors tend to be more formal, so a dark blue or grey suit is going to come across as more authoritative than a bright red or yellow suit. Keep these tips in mind when dressing for work. It’s important to find a middle ground between trendy and boring. You don’t have to be boring, but you don’t want to be overly flashy either.
