by Mona Rigdon

Created on: October 07, 2008

You've seen the army of suits walking down busy streets in the business districts of big cities. A sea of men and women clad in shades of black, gray, and brown hustle to and from their jobs each day, nice and homogenous. Who wants to blend in? There is no need to flout the dress code to look sharp and make a lasting impression! Four simple rules will help you dress for sucess, without appearing obnoxious and tacky.

Rule 1: Know your dress code!

If you are familiar with your company's dress code, you know what you can wear, and you can shop easier. Many people read the dress code once, and find clothing that requires no second-thought. This leads to a uniform-style of dress among many corporate types. Open toes shoes may be a no-no, but what about sling backs? The wardrobe savvy know! Those who don't, purchase plain black shoes just like everyone else wears. Know your dress code, and know how to work within it without sacrificing self-expression. For women who like to feel sexy, showing skin is not the way to go in a corporate setting, Opt for fitted, tailored suits with nice lines, feminine styles, and pretty colors. Appropriate necklines and hemlines will keep you out of trouble, and still allow you to feel sexy.

Rule 2: Color usage is key!

If you know what colors look good with your skin tone, you can pair the right jewel-tone blouse with that neutral colored blazer. A pop of color introduced with a shirt, tie or scarf can bring attention to a pretty face or nice haircut, but will definitely bring attention. If your boss frowns on the purple suit, compromise by pairing a lavender shirt with a grey jacket, or a purple shirt with a black jacket. Understanding that color can be overpowering if overused is the first step. Appearing too flamboyant might make a bad impression on more conservative clients, but choosing colorful pieces paired with conservative ones should allow self-expression without taking attention away from your talents (instead of your crazy attire!).

Rule 3: Invest in and maintain high quality clothing!

Nothing is tackier than cheap, wrinkled material, unraveling hemlines, or pills on fabric. Invest in high quality fabrics that will last a long time and retain their shapes. Make sure that you use padded hangers to help fabrics retain shapes. Dry clean whenever you can, and never launder material that says "dry clean only" on the tag. Choose stlyles that are versatile, and your wardrobe will seem larger than it truly is.

Rule 4: Choose bold accessories!

A bright scarf, tie or pretty necklace also draws attention to the face. Choose jewelry that compliments the outfit and doesn't get in the way. Shoes should look nice, but also be functional!

In chooosing high quality outfits with appropriate color usage, paired with bold accessories that complement the wearer and the outfit, hopefully you will stand out in the crowd. Just remember, you want your boss to remember you, and your general appearance, not your obnoxious outfit. Use the rules to help express yourself in that sea of corporate clothing.

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