Building a Professional Wardrobe

Have you ever wondered what to wear to career fairs? Have you ever looked into your wardrobe and realized that your urban outfitter mod-style is not working in your favor? And what on earth is the difference between “Business Formal” and “Business Casual”? In this article, you will find some tips and guidelines on business attire and hopefully you will go to interviews in a brand new professional look.

Business Formal Attire

For us college students, the most common occasion that requires us to wear business formal attires is probably during career fairs and interviews. Dressing smartly and appearing confident can leave a great impression on recruiters and help to land you a job or an internship.

For men, a two-piece suit is the standard of a business formal attire and should meet the following criteria:

Color	Suit should be in neutral colors such as black, gray, navy and brown.
Pattern	Suit should be solid or have subtle pinstripes
Jacket	Jacket be buttoned while standing and unbuttoned while seated
Pants	Pants have to match the jacket The pant leg should touch the front of the shoe and fall above the heel in the back
Shirt	White or muted shirt with collars Long sleeves
Ties	Conservative colors are recommended Tips should touch your belt
Shoes	Polished leather shoes Wear dark socks that match the shoes and are calf-length

For women, both skirt suits and pant suits are acceptable. Again, they should meet the following criteria:

Color	Suit should be in neutral colors such as black, gray, navy and brown
Pants	Pants have to match the jacket Capris and cropped pants are not appropriate
Skirt	Skirt should be knee length and not too tight Avoid high slits
Shirt	Blouse or camisole Light colors are preferred Cleavage should not be showing
Shoes	Wear basic pumps with a low heel, 1-2 inches high Avoid open shoes or sandals No stilettos or platforms Wear neutral hosiery or trouser socks

Business Casual Attire

Sometimes, recruiters specify their dress codes as “business casual.” (Evening with the Industry is an event where you can dress business casual). As the name suggests, it is less formal than a traditional business wear, and there is a greater variety of clothes you can choose from. But always remember: you still have to stay professional and impress the recruiters! You definitely do not want to show up in a T-shirt and sandals.

For men, the following guidelines apply:

Jacket	Jacket may be worn without a tie
Pants	Khakis Solid color slacks NO JEANS!
Shirt	Pressed, collared, long-sleeved shirt Polo shirt Tuck in your shirt
Ties	Conservative colors are recommended May be worn without a jacket
Shoes	Oxfords or loafers Wear dark socks that match the shoes and are calf-length

For women, the following guidelines apply:

Jacket	Cardigans are acceptable
Pants	Dress pants or khakis Avoid capris
Skirt	Skirt should be knee length and not too tight Avoid high slits
Shirt	Blouse
Shoes	Avoid open-toes shoes or sandals Avoid open shoes or sandals Heels or flats

Moreover, make sure all clothes in your wardrobe are neatly ironed. You don’t want to show up in wrinkled shirts. If you are unsure of the dress code specified by your employers, ask them to confirm. And remember, it is always better to overdress than to underdress.

Still seeking answers or advice on attire? Have questions about where to find attire (including at low cost)? Schedule an appointment at the CCD, or stop by Huff House to learn about the CCD’s partnerships with Dress for Success and CareerGear. Start building your professional wardrobe now!

Sources:

Professional Dress Handout. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2016, from http://www.umsl.edu/depts/career/files/pdfs/Professional Dress Handout.pdf

Carpenter, B. B. (n.d.). What Is the Business Professional Dress Code? | LEAFtv. Retrieved September 6, 2016, from https://www.leaf.tv/articles/what-is-the-business-professional-dress-code/

Irene Zhang is a Peer Career Advisor from Martel College. She is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering.

Building a Professional Wardrobe

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