One must, of course, suit one’s wardrobe to circumstance; when I was working in the field at an organic farm I dressed for comfort and practicality, not style, and even now I wouldn’t wear a nice polo shirt and khakis to change the oil, or a blazer and tie to a family picnic. But I have come increasingly to the belief that one should always dress as well as one’s situation and circumstances permit: what my late and beloved mother used to call, “putting your best foot forward.”

Without, of course, being foppish or metrosexual about it!

Thank each and everyone who contributed what he or she has.

thanks

and also please am 18 years male and from Ghana. on the west of Africa.am pleading to any person who would love to help me by being my teacher. please
i want to learn anything our how to bring my life up. please is a dedication from your heart and i know you would be bless.

To be sure, there are those who don’t care what you look like, but for everyone one of them I can wager there are more than enough who do care, specifically in leadership roles. I can recall quite distinctly one occasion when a visiting exec was introduced to me, and he quite litteraly looked me over from head to foot for a few seconds, soaking in the details of my attire, creating a first judgement of whether or not I was someone who should be taken seriously. I found it profoundly disturbing (I’m one of those don’t care what people looks like folks), but it’s then nature of the environment.

The sports uniform may only have subtle if any impact on individual capability, but to play the game, one must be able to wear it.

What I’ve found it useful to create a good base look that isn’t too formal, but can be quickly modified to sell to a high end crowd.

I start with a good crisp white (other colors can be used if carefully selected for quality look) long-sleave shirt (undershirt mandatory), simple black leather belt with modest buckle (never allowed to look worn), plain well pressed black slacks, and well kept black shoes. This look is professional, without being so over the top as to intimidate other casual workers.

Next, have a good sport coat available tailored to fit, made of a good fabric, I also keep a black tie and perhaps a few other very structured professional colored ones about.

It takes but a few minutes to upgrade the base look to a credible senior leadership look when needed.

First, I work as a consultant in the I/T industry, and I always try to make sure I dress one step above what my clients are wearing. Example: client is wearing T-shirt and jeans, I’ll wear a polo shirt and khakis. Client is wearing the khakis, I’ll wear a sport coat, or dress shirt / tie with slacks. That way I don’t appear to be too overbearing or intimidating by the way I dress.

Second, I had a business lunch with one of our VPs (who I had never met before) and business development managers with a potential client awhile back. The meeting went great, everyone was dressed appropriately and life was good. Then, the client left and the three of us were heading back to the office, and the VP started letting loose with various obscenities, lewd comments, etc. and he lost major points in my estimation of him. Moral of the story: clothes make the great first impressions, but don’t blow it by your language, attitude, etc.

Although wearing a suit and tie to university classes now would be a step too far (especially in a public college in Tennessee where the average dress is very casual) I find that donning a tucked in dress shirt with my jeans (not designer, but not ratty) and adding a blazer really steps up my appearance. As a musician – going into teaching -, I never know when I’m going to be meeting people that I will be trying to get work from in a few years so I like to make sure I’m always dressed for success.

I’m also just about done saving up for a brand new case for my violin that looks a lot classier than the old hunk of junk I’m carrying around right now. Whether it’s housing documents or a 200 year old violin anything you carry with you just has to look good as well.

Excellent article and, as previously stated, one of the best.

It would be great to read an article that can fill all the missing pieces.