Dressing the Part: Office Attire

Julie Shenkman
Posted by in Retail •


Whether you’ve just landed your first accounting position or you’re a seasoned professional, your attire at work matters. Clothing is part of presenting a polished image, and it can significantly affect your career advancement potential. Ninety-three percent of senior executives recently polled in a survey developed by our company said dress influences a professional’s chances of being promoted.

But the results of the survey don’t mean you need to spend a fortune or become a fashion slave to earn that promotion. Dressing well can be as simple as selecting flattering, non-distracting clothing that matches your company’s corporate culture. Here are some guidelines to help you dress smart at work:

• Why does attire matter? While your career trajectory is certainly based on your accomplishments, dressing appropriately can give you an extra leg up. A polished appearance helps establish instant credibility, and companies tend to promote those who make a positive impression. If you dress unprofessionally, it may be hard for others to take you seriously, and you may not receive the respect your achievements merit. Tasteful dress enables your supervisor to visualize you in that plum position you are seeking.

• What is appropriate? Dress codes vary by employer, and can range from suits-only to jeans on Fridays to business casual every day. If you’ve just started a new job and are unsure of the company standard, it’s wise to err on the conservative side rather than appear too casual. Remember, your clothing should present a professional image and not be flashy or distracting. For women, this means avoiding low-cut or see-through blouses, short skirts or high slits. Men should avoid wild prints on their shirts or ties. Clothing that is wrinkled, stained, or poorly fitting may give the impression that you lack attention to detail.

• What about business casual? Many workplaces have adopted a business casual policy in recent years, whether it is in place daily or reserved only for Fridays. If your workplace is casual, it’s important to remember that you must still appear professional. Some good options include shirts with collars, short- or long-sleeved blouses, long pants, loafers or casual flats. If jeans are allowed, wear a more formal pair rather than your comfy weekend favorites.

About Accountemps This article was provided by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International. As the industry leader and expert in temporary financial staffing, the company provides an array of resources to job seekers, including salary data, job search tips, advice on which skills are in demand, and online courses providing continuing professional education credits. Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.


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  • Savonnah
    Savonnah •
    This article was very much indeed informative and I will pay more attention to the way I dress.
  • Heather Ornsby
    Heather Ornsby •
    excellent information, I enjoy receiving tips like this. Sometimes you become so involved with your  job search you overlook some other valuable information.Thank you
  • Annette DeBergalis
    Annette DeBergalis •
    Another plus to wearing proper business like attire is that you yourself feel professional and when you feel professional you tend to behave in that same manner.  This should lead to better productivity.
  • Wori O
    Wori O •
    I agree that attire matters. It is very important to dress appropriately in the workplace.
  • Carol Wunderlich
    Carol Wunderlich •
    I agree completely! Looking professional is always the appropriate choice. Dress like a professional and you will be more professional.
  • Wendy Taylor
    Wendy Taylor •
    Thank you Julie! This is a great article which needs to be shared with as many people in the workforce as possible.  The way you dress often reflects how you feel about your job.  If you are willing to take the extra step to dress appropriately, you are probably willing to take the additional step to do your job and do it correctly.  
  • karen k
    karen k •
    neutral colored clothes, stockings and shoes as well as no visible tattoos and non natural hair colorsemployers want middle of the road appearance and over the moon job performance
  • Rita B
    Rita B •
    This was a very good article. It is important to keep in mind that one's appearance matters. When you dress appropriately for a job interview or a job that you already have; your appearance represents how you feel about yourself, the company and others.   
  • Keith A
    Keith A •
    Very good helpful information
  • Delores M
    Delores M •
    I do agree that attire matters.  The last accounting firm I worked with had a Friday only policy and I felt at times others did not look professional.
  • Ms. Debora B
    Ms. Debora B •
    I enjoyed your article on profesional dress.
  • Victoria Z
    Victoria Z •
    Good
  • Dale W
    Dale W •
    You have nailed it when you reference attention to detail. There are many ways in this world you can make a statement about your independence but the work place is not one of them. When you accept a paycheck from someone your appearance is the employer's appearance. I continue to be amazed by the sloppy dress I see in many establishments. The guidelines you've given here are very valid. I plan to refer people to this article. There are also many great comments here as well! It is refreshing to know there are still people who take a little pride in their appearance. My Grandfather in England used to say..."you can tell a lot about the man (or woman) by how clean their shoes are! A little polish goes along way!
  • Quanda D
    Quanda D •
    I thought the information regarding dress code for interviewing or work was very helpful and informative.
  • Brenda B
    Brenda B •
    That is some good information. I just can't remember the dressing points when I'm dressing for a inteview. Which is mostly where my concern is.  The casual dressing is something too broad to discuss for some reason. It kind of put you on the spot when you are on an interview.  I was just on an interview last week and didn't pass.  
  • Irene Melendez
    Irene Melendez •
    As a Career Services Coordinator at Florida Technical College, is important to me that my students look good when they go to interviews.  Looking sharp and well put together will take care of the first impression.  When you look good you feel more in control and in an interview that is imperative.  
  • Caden
    Caden •
    That's really thinking out of the box. Thanks!
  • william conaway
    william conaway •
    As an EE, dress was always shirt, tie and dark trousers with real black shoes. ?Even in the field installing equipment, the dress was the same. ?Too bad the younger generations don't want to be seen as professionals.
  • Sandy
    Sandy •
    Wow! That's a really neat answer!
  • Kathy
    Kathy •
    I just started a new job. I see what you mean about ladies dressing in flip-flop and faded jeans with holes, but we don't see walk-ins. I feel better about myself when I dress in nice clothes, it makes me feel better to go to work and learn new things with the company.
  • Rita C.
    Rita C. •
    Great article. I am glad to see some comment about the code of dressing in the work place. It will help to show the younger people how to dress
  • Susie
    Susie •
    Informative article. I do believe it is important to dress well. If you feel uncomfortable with your dress at a prospective employer's office for the interview, then you possibly do not belong there. You will most likely feel uncomfortable working there too. Find your niche and you will not only look good but feel good doing your job and will gain respect from colleagues.  In some instances, the rules don't apply. The receptionist at our professional office wears flip flops and no sleeve shirts. Yet more professional staff is the one getting laid off. You get what you pay for; and for some, it's about the bottom line and not quality unfortunately.
  • TriciaR
    TriciaR •
    Great article.  The point is that you need others to VISUALIZE you in that position or a higher up position.  Psychologically it helps them make the decision.  Dress for the job you want.
  • Gary
    Gary •
    I rode a motorcycle to an engineering interview and encountered a storm on the way. Came in soaking wet, water running from Levis and every step I took emitted water from tennis shoes. Before leaving, I was hired.  No one here cares what you dress like, they only care about what you know.
  • DBrown
    DBrown •
    Jeff, I can't believe you rifled thru someones papers when on an interview! That boggles my mind that you would be so cavalier about it too. PS I wonder if she had a camera on you.

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