Appearances matter more than ever, whether you’re seeking your first job or your next promotion. You wanted to know the new regulations, so we had executives explain them.
Do not underperform in informal fields
Erin McPherson, vice president of business development at Yahoo!, adds, “You never know who you’ll meet.” “I learned this the hard way, as I was wearing worn jeans and Converse when I received an email informing me that one of our most important media partners was down the hall and could I please fill in?” Adhere to the current norms for casual Fridays in business settings. “Even on Fridays, we expect staff to dress correctly for meetings,” says Audrey Boone Tillman, senior vice president of Aflac. Are jeans acceptable in the workplace? Wear dark-washed, rip-resistant designs.
Wear impressive attire
“I like to say that every day is showtime,” says public relations expert Harris Shepard of Los Angeles. The majority of the nation’s executives with whom we interviewed concur that the current tendency is to appear “drawn together” (a phrase that came up again and again). Choose the more fitted choice, such as pants instead of capris or a shirtdress instead of a sundress. A rule of thumb from designer Liz Lange: “Dress like the company’s female executives.” And if they wear stockings, you should as well (sorry!).
Use minimal hair and makeup products
Perfection is not the objective; who can achieve it daily? Think clean and fresh: sheer foundation (if any), neutral liner and lipstick, and mascara (more professional than gloss). If you wear blush, advises Lynn Goldenberg, director of benefits at The Body Shop, “mix it nicely so you don’t seem like you just descended a mountain!” The concept is neat but unfussy for hair.
Possess a signature item
Consider a cut, a color, or an accessory that you consistently wear. Individuality provides you an advantage in any profession. “In creative fields, dressing professional is synonymous with making a personal statement,” explains Mary Baglivo, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi in New York.
Give nothing away
Dress demurely. Or even suggestively. No low necklines, high hemlines, anything too tight, or stomach bareness. The last thing you want is to appear out of place.
