by Bob Schmidt

Created on: November 05, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2009

Proper dress in the office is an important element to being successful. No one wants to be the object of ridicule for not knowing how to dress. If your office does not have an official guide for proper office attire, the following points should be considered. Knowing how to dress appropriately is basic information that everyone should consider so that they do not become the subject of conversation at the water cooler.

Neat and Functional...

Bosses and fellow workers enjoy working around people who dress in a neat manner. Sloppy may appeal to some, but almost everyone reacts positively to neatness and obviously clean clothing. Overdressing, and under dressing are both very bad ideas. Also, clothing and accessories should be functional to the job required. For example, spike high heels can be a very bad idea for women who must do a lot of walking on the job. On the other hand, sneakers or flip-flops are a bad idea for an upscale professional office.

Sexy or Demure...

Sexy clothing is usually a mistake in any office setting. Men wearing unusually tight pants to show off their "attractiveness" are just as mistaken as women who try to display excessive cleavage in their manner of dress. Any clothing that might be a distraction to fellow employees should be avoided. In other words, ladies should beware of short skirts and men should not wear muscle shirts. Demure is not necessary, but preferable to sexy.

Sensitivity to the Norm...

Every office has the potential to have specific employees who may be unusually sensitive to certain types of attire. Overweight employees may resent others who dress to favor their "ideal" bodies. Cancer survivors may have physical sensitivities due to surgical procedures that they may have suffered. Being sensitive to the potential resentments that can result from others who cannot dress as nicely, or look as good as you do should be a part of how you decide to dress.

Remember Why We Work...

Jobs represent a way to make a living, and should not represent a competition for the title of "best dresser" in the office. Employees who do a good job and are efficient with their work will always be of higher value than those who are excessively vain about their appearance. Dress nice enough to feel good about how you look without making it a priority over fitting into the office as a good functional employee. Never forget that jobs are not beauty contests. Of course, how you dress after hours is obviously your own business!

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