This is one of those areas where there is a lot of room for confusion. Again, your working wardrobe is going to depend on the region, climate, industry, and company where you are working; a graphic designer in California is going to have much different guidelines than an investment banker in Chicago.

  • As a general rule, try to fit in to the culture in your company. If you dress completely differently from everyone else in your company, you will stand out and not in a good way. Dressing in a manner appropriate to the company culture shows that you are a team player and are concerned about the kind of image you and your company present to clients. When in doubt, imitate your boss.

  • Get a copy of your company’s dress code policy.

  • Go for quality over quantity. A well-made jacket in a quality fabric may cost you quite a bit more than one that is cheaply made, but it will look better, fit better, and last longer than the inexpensive version.

  • Take care of those good-quality clothes you’ve invested in. You may want to purchase shoe trees, a tie rack, those goofy rubber shoes that fit over your dress shoes, and other items that you’ve only ever seen in your dad’s closet.

  • The dry cleaner and the tailor are about to become important people in your life. The most expensive suit in the world can still look terrible if it is dirty or fits poorly.

  • Buy a good raincoat and a dress coat for winter. Nothing ruins your finely polished professional image faster than a barn coat over your suit jacket.

  • Business casual : More and more offices are moving toward “business casual” in place of suits, but the rules are often not very clearly defined. Even experienced professionals sometimes have trouble deciding what’s appropriate. One company’s version of business casual may mean you can wear a jacket or a tie, instead of both, while khakis and a polo shirt are completely acceptable somewhere else. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Casual does not mean sloppy! Whatever you wear should be clean, pressed, and in good condition. Check regularly for missing buttons, dangling threads, and signs of wear and tear.

  • Stores and catalogues that have a “business casual” section frequently show khakis on their models. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wear Dockers every day, the style is a good guideline. If you do wear khakis, they should be neatly ironed. Don’t wear jeans or shorts unless you know this will be acceptable.

  • Long-sleeved oxford shirts in solid colors are a safe bet. In a very casual environment, polo shirts (not wrinkled!) may be acceptable. Do not wear loud print shirts or T-shirts advertising your favorite restaurant. Always tuck your shirt in.

  • If your company is more “business” than “casual”, tailored pants and a sport coat or a sweater is appropriate This is not as formal as a suit, but dressier than khakis.

  • Don’t wear athletic shoes, sandals, or boots.

  • Wear a belt that matches your shoes.

  • When in doubt, be conservative. In the workplace it’s essential to appear professional if you wish to be treated as a professional.

  • Remember that it’s easier to move from a conservative look to a more casual one than the other way around. See what other people in your office are wearing to get a clearer idea of what is acceptable. Pay attention to how your boss dresses; successful people tend to look the part.