The role of appearance in the world of work

 Appearance is all about how you look and

sound as well as the clothes you wear.
 Personal hygiene, your posture and a
smile are important. Make sure you wear
appropriate clothing, your hair, hands,
feet and nails are clean, walk up straight
and smile.
 An employer will have confidence in an
employee who looks neat, walks into the
room confidently and speaks clearly.
 First impressions are often lasting. A
person who is dressed appropriately for
work on the first day will give the
impression that he or she is confident,
ready to learn, and ready to do good work
for the company.
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
 When starting a new job, you need to know the dress code
of the company.
 The way you dress for work implies, reflects and symbolises
your values and behavior. Women are particularly
vulnerable and should be careful about the symbolic
messages their style of dress sends to those with whom
they interact at work.
 No one should blame another person’s dress style for his or
her lack of restraint or objectionable behavior
New words
 Appropriate: suitable for the occasion or circumstances
 Dress-code policy: a document drawn up by a company to
specify the type of dress that is acceptable for their
employees
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Unwelcome physical, verbal or non-
verbal conducts.
 Unwelcome innuendo, suggestions, hints, comments with
sexual overtones, sex-related jokes or insults, unwelcome
comments about a person’s body made in his or her presence
or directed at that person, and unwelcome and inappropriate
enquiries about a person’s sex life.
 Unwelcome gestures, indecent exposure and unwelcome
display of sexual explicit pictures and objects.
 Unwanted physical contact ranging from touching to sexual
assault and rape.

Compiled by Deirdre Wright

Factors affecting choice of garments for a
working wardrobe (1)
 The type of business you work for: law firms, banking and
investment will require smart, more formal corporate wear.
Interior designers and artist have a more flexible dress-code.
 Type of job, activities and your particular need: the type of
work that you do will affect what you wear.
 Weather conditions, climate and season: if you work outdoors
you need garment that protect you against the elements; a hat
during summer, warm jacket or coat in winter and also a
windbreaker and raincoat.
 Budget: how you can spend will determine what you can buy.

Compiled by Deirdre Wright

Factors affecting choice of garments for a
working wardrobe (2)
 Figure type and body shape: keep in mind your figure type and
body shape and choose styles that compliment your figure shape.
 Apply your knowledge of design principles and elements to
your advantage: e.g. vertical lines have slimming effect while
horizontal lines often have a broadening effect.
 Colouring: choose colours that compliment your complexion and
colouring.
 Individuality and personality: choose clothing styles and
colours that reflect your personality but keep within the dress
code of the workplace.
 Values: stay within your value framework when choosing
garments.
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Guidelines when choosing and
purchasing clothes and accessories
 During most of your time at work, you will be engaged in your daily
tasks, which require specific clothes. We call this your ‘working
wardrobe’.

Clothes for work

To fit into and feel apart of your work community, you
should comply with the dress-code of the company that
you are working for, even if the clothes do not reflect
your individuality and self-image. Accepting this dress
code will give a positive message to your employers, as
they will see it as a sign that you appreciate being part of
the company and are making an effort to fit in.
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Guidelines to choosing and buying clothes for work
These guidelines will help you to make good choices and avoid expensive mistakes:
1. Start with a basic colour. Black, grey, navy, brown, beige and
cream are basic colours. For a first-time employee, black is a
serviceable choice as black garments can be used for formal
or for smart wear as well.
2. Choose basic, classic styles with clean, simple lines.
3. Choose styles that complement your body shape and figure
type.
4. Consider fit, not size.
5. Choose underwear and foundation garments that fit well,
stay hidden and do not show.
6. Separates should dominate your wardrobe.
7. Garments must co-ordinate with each other.
8. Start your working wardrobe with one pair of good-quality
shoes that match all your garments.
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
 Accessories
Choose and use accessories wisely.
Types of accessories for men and women
 Belts: people with a thick waistline should not emphasise their
waistline. They should choose belts that match the colour of their
outfit. Tall people should wear wide belts.
 Handbags: choose handbags in the same or a similar colour as your
shoes. The size of your handbag must be in proportion to your size.
 Shoes: women should choose shoes that go with the colour of their
skirts or trousers (shoes must be darker than the bottom part of the
garment). Men shoes should be the same colour or darker than their
trousers, or blend in with the colour of their belts.
 Ties: men should choose ties that are shaped according to the
current fashion style and stick to plain colours or stripes.
 Hosiery: men should always wear dark-coloured socks for work.
Women’s hosiery should blend in with the colour of their skin and
shoes.
 Jewellery: the colour of your jewellery should match the colour of
your clothing.
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Planning a basic wardrobe for the
world of work
The ideal day-to-day working wardrobe need to be
large, but must consist of appropriate and flattering
outfits for your particular work environment.
Once you have been appointed in a position, you
should do some research of your own before spending
money one clothes that may end up being unsuitable
for that particular workplace.
 Ask for details about the dress-code policy.
 Visit the department where you will be working and look around to see what
the employees you will be working with are wearing.
 Pay attention to what your immediate superior are wearing. That is what you
must aim for.
 Analyse the information you have gained from your observations. Make sure
that the garments you choose fit in with those worn by the smartest of your
colleagues, but don’t dress more smartly than your superior.
 Choose garments that suit your body shape and colouring.

Compiled by Deirdre Wright

Uniforms and corporate clothing
Some firms will expect you to adopt their corporate
clothing or wear a uniform. A uniform is an easily
identifiable set of garment that must be worn every
day.

- sports teams
wear uniforms

Compiled by Deirdre Wright

 -Uniforms make traffic officers and
policemen easily identifiable

Some fast-food outlets require staff

to wear uniforms or some form of
brand clothing

Compiled by Deirdre Wright

 Example of a basic beginner work wardrobe for a female
Summer wardrobe Additions and/or Reasoning
adaptations for winter
Jackets •Choose a fabric texture that is suited to all seasons
One classic black blazer •Must match the skirts and/or pants
‘Bottoms’ •One in winter weight fabric, for •One garment must be in a fabric suited for all seasons
Skirts and/or pants example, grey or black, check or •Choose styles that complement your figure type. Pencil skirts
•One black stripe flatter most figures. Women with a triangular or A-line body
•One grey shape should choose flared skirts
•Pants with classic straight ‘boot legs’ suit all figures
Blouses or shirts, four: Long-sleeved blouses and/or •Choose colours that flatter your complexion; one can be bright
•One white or cream knitted jerseys: •Choose styles that complement your figure type. For example,
•One in a plain colour •One black vertical stripes or lines and V necklines are slimming
•One floral or striped •One in a plain colour •Avoid collars and polo necks if you have a short neck or an
•One for special occasions •One striped inverted triangular(V) body shape
•Consider fabric with a lustre for a garment for special
occasions
Shoes •Choose good-quality leather shoes in a classic style
•One pair black flats (low heels) •Must be comfortable
suitable for pants and skirts
Cardigan •Look for a style that has some decorative effect without being
•One black ‘over the top’, suitable for every day as well as special occasions
Social occasions with Addition and/or Reasoning
colleagues or clients adaptations for winter
•A blouse for special occasions •Add a satin jacket or beaded •Consider materials with a sheen or lustre, which creates a
•A black dress cardigan more formal effect
•Strappy sandals •Black patent leather shoes
•Stockings Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
 Example of a basic beginner wardrobe for a male
Summer wardrobe Adaptations for winter Reasoning
Suit: •Choose a fabric texture suited for all seasons
•Charcoal; good, classical cut
Jacket: •Must match both the grey trousers and the trousers that belong to
•Black-and-white tweed or the suit
houndstooth check •Choose a style that suits your figure. Men with an inverted
triangular body shape should choose jackets that end below the hips
Trousers: •Choose a style that complements your figures type. Pants with
•One grey classic straight legs suit all figures. Avoid skinny-legged trousers
Shirts, four: •Choose colours that flatter your complexion; one can be bright
•One white •Choose style that complement your figure type , e.g. Vertical
•One plain colour stripes are slimming
•One striped •Look for a white shirt with some form of detail for evening wear
•One smart, for special
occasions
Shoes: •Choose good-quality leather shoes in a classic style
•One pair black •Must be comfortable
Pullovers: •Choose a plain colour
•One sleeveless pullover •Black and charcoal are safe, but a bright colour (not a neon
•One pullover with sleeves colour) can ‘lift’ a work outfit
Social occasions with Additions and/or Reasoning
colleagues or clients adaptations for winter
•A smart shirt for special •Smart jacket in a dark colour, •The jacket can have a slight seen to give it a more formal look
occasions: e.g. black or dark navy blue •Look for white shirt with some sort of detail, e.g. embroidery or
•Black patent leather shoes pin tucks
•Tie (optional, and only if the
shirt has a suitable collar)
Compiled by Deirdre Wright
Compiled by Deirdre Wright