Did you know that your image is a direct representation of your work ethic? Dressing badly can hurt that. Think about it! What if you were meeting an accountant for the first time and they were poorly dressed? What would you think? Would you trust them to take care of your taxes or would you keep looking for another accountant? My guess is the latter. Why? Subconsciously, you think that if they put little effort into their appearance, they will also put little effort into delivering the best service. Even though that may not be the case, people only have your appearance to base themselves on. You’ll probably end up hiring another accountant you feel may do a better job just because they look more put-together. People judge your ability to perform based on your image. You never know who is watching you at the office or, who might see you as the best fit for the next available position. Unfortunately, I see way too many fashion mistakes when it comes to gentlemen’s work attire. To avoid making these fashion faux pas from hindering your career, here are 10 fashion mistakes to look out for when you’re getting dressed for work.
YOUR SUIT IS TOO BAGGY.
The most common mistake I see at the office is someone wearing a suit that simply doesn’t fit them. Your shoulder pads aren’t appropriately aligned, your slacks drag all the way to the floor and you appear to be swimming inside of your suit jacket. The definition of a presentable young professional implies that you wear a suit that fits you like a glove. I cannot stress enough the importance of a well-tailored suit. You must make sure your sleeves are not too long, that your pants hit your shoes at the right place and that your suit jacket fits just right. The easiest way to ensure you’re wearing a well-fitted suit is to run it by a tailor. This should be a given as soon as you purchase a suit. However, if you own a suit you haven’t worn in a while, you’re better off taking it to a tailor if you feel it just doesn’t seem to fit right.
YOUR SUIT IS TOO TIGHT.
If your suit is too tight this leaves a terrible impression at work as well. Not only does it appear as though you have no sense of style but you’ll look like a large child trying to play dress-up with clothing that simply does not fit. Additionally, a tight suit looks extremely unflattering and reveals parts of the body that should not be seen at the office. Do yourself a favor and get a suit that actually fits your frame. You don’t necessarily have to buy a bespoke suit but as mentioned above, be sure that it is tailored to fit your body to its exact measurements.
YOUR SUIT IS OLD & WASHED OUT.
If your suit is more than 10 years old, chances are, it is washed out, worn out, and completely outdated. As a young professional, wearing a suit past its due date does not make you seem young, hungry for success, and full of energy. You seem as though you are not current with the times and could not be bothered to invest in a quality suit. Investing in your wardrobe means you’re investing in yourself.
THERE’S A HOLE IN YOUR CLOTHING
Please don’t go to work in clothing with holes! This is probably the most unprofessional look you can wear to the office. There is nothing worse than this unless you show up in sweatpants. To avoid any mishaps of the sort, make sure to scan your outfit for holes before you leave the house. That way you can quickly change if needed. Now, in case where your clothing tears at the office, always make sure you have a spare suit, tie, shirt, pair of socks, and shoes. You never know what may happen to you randomly during the day. The last thing you need is a huge hole in your pants right before a big meeting! You do not want to be dressing badly in meetings.
YOUR SHOES ARE UNTIDY
Dressing badly includes dad shoes as well. Toss away anything that falls under the category of old, dirty, unpolished, worn out, and outdated. The only pair of shoes you may be able to get away with is if they’re only unpolished, as you can easily fix that issue. If your shoes are really worn out or have a rounded toe, they are no longer in fashion and need to be replaced. A nice pair of classic pointed Oxfords will stand the test of time and will flatter most of the suits in your collection. You don’t necessarily have to spend thousands on shoes. A couple of hundred dollars is an acceptable amount of money to spend on a nice pair as a young professional.
YOUR WHITE dress SHIRT IS NO LONGER WHITE.
This is never okay. Young professionals should replace their white dress shirts yearly or at least get bleached relatively often so you’re not qualified as dressing badly.
Honestly, what more is there to say about a white shirt turning yellow? It’s sloppy, dirty, and unprofessional.
CONCLUSION
In this article, I’ve shown you 10 ways professional men are dressing badly. Appearance at the office matters tremendously. If you make sure to avoid every single one of these mistakes you will look professional as well as advance in your career. You’ll no longer be dressing badly!