Dressing Etiquettes
INTRODUCTORY THOUGHT
Etiquettes can bring your real value in the
market place as a polished diamond.
Compare a Raw Diamond to a Polished Diamond
WHAT ARE ETIQUETTES ?
Etiquettes are the manners,
protocol or the way of behavior
one presents during his/her
interactions with people….
APPEARANCE
Dressing
Grooming
You only have one
chance to make a good
first impression!
YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR!
• People make the following decision about you in the wink of an eye when
they meet you for the first time:
– Your economic level
– Your education level
– Your trustworthiness
– Your social position
– Your level of sophistication
– Your moral character
– Your success
Determining Appropriate Dress
Consider the environment
Consider your goals
Consider the clues
Consider others’ dress
Consider the impression you want to make or leave
YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR
In a business setting or social circle, people first
notice
Your clothing
Your face
Your hands
Your shoes
Your writing instrument
Your briefcase
Your watch.
The care taken in your appearance indicates
the care taken in your position
Why Is Dress So Crucial For Success?
First impressions are extremely
important!
Irreversible assumptions are made
almost immediately based on a
persons’ appearance.
You want to put your best foot
forward and present yourself in a
positive light.
5 Tips Everyone Should Know About Dressing
Professionally
1. Keep your appearance neat and clean.
2. Clothing should be freshly pressed - no wrinkles!
3. Well groomed nails are important.
4. Wear minimal make-up and
jewelry.
5. Neutral body odor is essential
(wear an antiperspirant/deodorant,
use perfume or other fragrance
sparingly)!
“Winning is accomplished
in the preparation phase,
not the execution phase.”
Anonymous
INFLUENCES OF DRESS IN A
PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Appropriate Dress
Dress code: a policy that addresses
issues such as required attire, uniforms,
and hairstyle
Dress one position higher than your
current position
Develop a style that conforms to both
company policy and your taste
WHAT IS BUSINESS DRESS?
Attire appropriate for meetings or an office
environment
Purpose is to convey a professional appearance, as
well as create an environment conducive to work
Personal expression is encouraged, but should not be
taken to extremes
Suits
Colors to Wear:
dark blue, gray,
brown or muted
pin-stripes
Tailored and
freshly dry cleaned
Shirts
Good quality, white button-down or
white classic color – bi/color….?
Make sure the shirt is pressed
Ties
Silk or good quality Don’t let the
Complement suit tie speak for
you!
Tip of tie should end
near the center of belt
buckle
YES!
NO!
Shoes
Highly polished slip-ons
Colour of shoes should be black,
cordovan or brown
Dark socks that are high enough to
hide your skin when you sit down
Facial Hair
No facial hair if possible, if you
must, trim it neatly
YES
NO!
MAYBE
Jewelry
No chains or necklaces showing
No rings other than wedding rings.
No earrings or other piercing; if you
have them, take them out
Conservative watch
Other Tips
Clean fingernails
Minimal cologne
Empty your pockets to avoid
clinking or bulges
Turn off cell phones and beepers
No gum or cigarettes
How to dress casually like a grown
men
Now that your mom isn’t buying your clothes
anymore, start following the Style Pyramid
Make sure your suit fits
Check the fabric
Is it stylish?
High school is over : Get a real pair of
shoes
Stop buying small, medium and large
clothes
Holey and unnaturally faded jeans
are deal breakers
Know how to roll your sleeves
For ties, matching colors and patterns
is key.
Pocket squares are meant to
complement, not match.
Cuff links can make or break an outfit.
Get a haircut like the guys from Mad
Men.
Use the sun to your advantage.
Be confident
In the context of business
Formal Parties
Informal Dressing
Women Clothing
When it comes to women’s
clothing, the golden rule is to
dress not only in accordance with
your personality, but to your body
type as well. Not every fashion
will suit every body type, so it is
important to understand which
style suits you.
Formal
Women have numerous options. Generally speaking, full-
length ball dresses, dinner dresses, shalwar qameez and
cocktail dresses of almost any colour are all considered
appropriate.
Shoes
While your shoes don’t necessarily have to match your
dress, it is a safe choice if you’re otherwise unsure. If
you can’t find a matching colour, opt for the classic
black as the next best option. Many women consider
high-heels to be the most appropriate footwear for
formal occasions; but it is of the utmost importance to
be able to walk comfortably. So sandals can be a good
option as well.
Semi formal
While the intention of a semi-formal event is to be
slightly less formal, many women still opt to dress
more formally than not.
The beauty of a semi-formal occasion is that it can be
a chance to wear some of your more colourful
jewellery and to wear shoes other than high-heels.
Casual
Casual
Casual dress is most often worn to BBQs and informal
dinners. Jeans with just about any top should be fine,
so long as it is comfortable and tidy. Always use your
judgement and never wear something that others may
find offensive.
CASUAL WORKDAYS AND
SPECIAL EVENTS
Casual workdays: days when companies relax
their dress code
Still dress appropriately for work
Do not wear tattered, stained, or torn clothing
More formal attire may be required for special
work-related functions
Avoid shirts with sayings or graphics that may
offend others
Business dressing
Many businesses have a casual dress day. This
does not mean that you can wear whatever you
want. In fact, most businesses are quite careful to
specify what is and what is not appropriate.
However, if you do find yourself in a situation
where you are unsure, follow the golden rule of
dressing to the standard of your colleagues. If you
are unable to ascertain what that is, it is best to err
on the side of caution by dressing more formally
than not.
Choosing a Color
Navy blue is a good color for a “starter” suit.
This is a versatile color that can be dressed up
or down, depending on the situation
and job.
Navy is considered a professional
and powerful color, but is not as
bold as black.
It’s all in the Details
Hair
Simple style
You don’t want to distract the
interviewer with obnoxious hair.
They should notice you for your
skills and experiences, not your hair.
It’s all in the Details: Final Touches
Accessories
Don’t overdo it!
It’s best to choose 1 or 2 simple accessories like a watch
and stud earnings.
Portfolio vs. Purse
Opt for a sharp, professional looking portfolio instead of
your purse.
Choose a good quality portfolio with compartments for keys
or lipstick.
Carry copies of your resume and a pad for note taking.
Dressing to Impress
Follow Company Policy.
Your first reference point is the employee manual.
When in doubt – ask your supervisor or a member of Human
Resources!
Warning: business casual means different things in
different companies!
Casual dress ranges from
coordinated skirt/pant sets to
khakis and polo’s.
Business casual does not
mean jeans or tennis shoes.
A Mix – Biz & Biz Casual…
