Death By Fashion:
Choices To Avoid In The Workplace

Contributed by Anne Rosenbury

We've all seen them—that woman who dresses like she's on her way out to an uptown nightclub, or that man you could swear got straight up from his recliner after a football game and came directly to the office in all his sweat suit glory. And as you roll your eyes or sigh and shake your head, you think to yourself, these people are completely inappropriately dressed for the office!

Don't know what I'm talking about? Then watch out! It's possible you may be headed for career death by way of your workplace fashion choices.

So what is an acceptable way to dress for work, or better yet, how can you present yourself as a qualified professional? Believe it or not, the way you look at the office affects how seriously your coworkers, your clients and even your boss will take your efforts in climbing the ladder of success.

While some industries such as advertising allow for more risky fashion statements, most businesses prefer their employees to dress more conservatively. So, keeping in mind that the following tips are for those individuals who hold jobs in the average work setting, read on to see how many good (or bad) fashion choices you might be making on a daily basis.

5 Deadly Fashion Choices for Men

1. Scuffed Shoes. This may seem like a petty detail to worry over, but the fact of the matter is that your shoes can speak volumes about your attention to detail. So get at least two pairs of nice shoes (I recommend a brown and a black pair) and give them a good shining on a regular basis.
   
   
2. Wrinkled Shirts. I know ironing isn't a favorite pastime, and many shirts may not look that wrinkled. However, a crisp, neatly ironed shirt communicates to others that you take your job seriously. And if you don't want to do the ironing yourself, simply drop your shirts off once a week at a nearby dry cleaners.
   
   
3. Blue Sock, Black Sock. How many times have I noticed a man wearing one blue sock and one black one? Or, what about a brown belt with black shoes? Too many to count! Color coordination is key to looking like a person who knows how to plan and execute, even if it's only with your wardrobe!
   
   
4. The Comb-Over. Let's be brutally honest: a comb-over only draws attention to the fact that a man is anxious over his hair loss. Confidence is key in the workplace, and coming across as uncomfortable in your own skin damages how others view your confidence level.
   
   
5. Undershirts. If your dress shirt is a light color, or if the material is a little thin, remember to wear a plain, well-fitted, white short-sleeve undershirt. This won't only minimize any peek-a-boo chest hair, but wearing an undershirt will also help keep perspiration rings from forming under the arms.

5 Deadly Fashion Choices for Women

1. Teacher Sweaters. Unless you are a teacher, don't wear that snowman sweater your mother crocheted for you to an important meeting. While cute has its place with children, it will be lost on your colleagues.
   
   
2. Squeezing It In. Whether you're a size 4 trying to cram yourself into a size 2 or a size 20 trying to get by in a size 18, you are guaranteed to look more attractive and come across as more confident if you wear clothing that fits your body shape.
   
   
3. Bling. Flashy jewelry is great for a night out on the town, but going with a more conservative look for the office helps you come across as a person who is balanced and level-headed—important character traits in the business world.
   
   
4. Low Cuts. This includes low-riding pants, short skirts, or tops that fail to adequately cover your bust or stomach. Showing off too much skin can send the wrong message. Keep your colleagues focused on how much value you can bring to the company, not on how great you look in that designer tank.
   
   
5. Makeup Cake-Up. Ladies, you are all familiar with the saying, "less is more." When it comes to how you apply your makeup before work, that saying couldn't ring more true. Subtle color and a natural-looking skin tone will compliment your features rather than send them screaming at the person sitting across the boardroom table.

Don't fret if you've made some of these deadly fashion mistakes. You can begin correcting them today. Not sure where to start? First, take an online lesson in business fashion. Visit the web sites of popular clothing stores, pick out which models you would take seriously in a business meeting and take notes! Start making some changes to your wardrobe today, and people will begin to take notice.