A quality fit and a full-cut fit suit avoids calling attention to the body. Shoes See Dress to Impress Handbook pdf for more on managing your professional
127 KB – 19 Pages
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1.1.1 1.2.1 Darker Suit Styling Dark colored suits with high contrast necklines communicate the most powerful and traditional version of this dress code. Credibility to perform to expectations is highest when the face remains the primary focus. A quality fit in a full – cut suit avoids calling attention to the body. Shoes that blend with the suit color also help keep focus on the face. Notice that this styling is very crisp, simple and easily ignored as focus expectations. Darker colors communicate more about leadership. Professional Formal
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1.1.2 1.2.2 Lighter Suit Styling Medium to light colored suits with high contrast necklines communicate a more moderate version of this code. Credibility to perform to expectation is best protected when the face remains the primary focus. A quality fit and a full – cut fit suit avoids calling attention to the body. Shoes that blend with the suit color help keep the face as focus. Notice that lighter colors give us more view of the fabric and style details yet retain pull to the face and to perceptions of capacity to perform to expectations. Lighter colors communicate more about collaboration. Professional Formal
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Within effective focus on the face, insert touches of personal taste through tie variations. For a creative workplace, consider adding a vested suit with a subtle but interesting color, texture, or pattern along with a colored shirt and contrasting tie. 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 Professional Formal
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Different neckline details can add personal style yet keep focus on the face. For a creative workplace, consider a style variation like a uniquely colored yet professional suit – dress. Scarves and necklaces add expected polish and should help focus on the face. Avoid scarves or jewelry that are overly distracting and diminish credibility. 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 Professional Formal
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Beware of Fit Issues Be careful with fit issues because they lower credibility. Wearing either overly tight or loose suits relocates focus to body parts or body proportion. Menswear retailers often offer alterations to insure quality fit. Women are advised to consider this approach. A good fit is worth finding what works. We found that trying on suits in slightly bigger sizes helped avoid tightness. To get good fit all over, you might need a different size for the upper and lower body. For either men or women, a custom suit can be an effective approach for suits that support professional appearance. 3.1.1 3.2.1 3.2.2 Professional Formal
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4.2.2 Sport Jacket Styling Semi – formal workplaces have more tolerance for inserting personal styling but be careful to keep the outcome professional. This version of the semi – look of contrasting jackets. His black jacket is powerful yet we also notice the contrasting tan slacks and black shoes. Leaving her jacket open helps move the eye to the face yet the red jacket catches our eye first. A quality fit and a full – cut suit avoids calling attention to the body. Shoes that relate to a pant or skirt color reduce competition with the face. 4.1.1 Professional Semi – Formal
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Vested Styling This vested style is one step down in formality from wearing a full suit style. This look can credibility in a semi – formal workplace. The left image shows a good fit in a slim – cut style that was managed by selecting one size up. The colored shirt and contrasting tie contribute to a polished version of styling with vests. The right image shows how visual distractions lower credibility. Notice the obvious wrinkles on the sleeves, a tie that does not contrast with the tan shirt, and very snug pant legs ending awkwardly above the shoe. 4.1.2 4.1.3 Professional Semi – Formal
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Shirt and Tie Styling Wearing the professional shirt and tie minus a jacket or vest is acceptable in some semi – formal workplaces. Be careful that shirt and pant fit neither too tight or too loose. The belt should match shoes. For more personal style, the shirt can be other colors. Since this is the lowest level of formality within semi – formal contexts, we recommend you ask supervisors before removing the jacket and/or vest layers. 4.1.4 4.1.5 Professional Semi – Formal
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Varying Arm Exposure As you become more familiar in the workplace, express more personal taste with styles that convey a similar level of credibility. Dark colors with high contrast near the face communicate the most powerful version. Styles that cover the arms, or at least the shoulders, and keep neckline modest support credibility and show respect for the workplace. Menswear does not allow short sleeves so this is one gender difference. Perhaps less arm exposure is more credible for women as well? Quality fit avoids calling attention to the body. Shoes that relate to overall garment color help keep focus on the face. Open toed shoes are usually inappropriate so clarify in advance of wearing them. Professional Semi – Formal
127 KB – 19 Pages