In business, you should know how to dress the part

Sonji McTear has a “before” photo taken by Theresa Anderson at Dress for Success Saturday, May 31, 2014.

Dress for Success

Sonji McTear smiles as Theresa Anderson, left, and Kelly Rissler find clothes for her to try on at Dress for Success Saturday, May 31, 2014. Launch slideshow »

You’ve just landed a fabulous job and you’re raring to get to work and demonstrate your corporate commitment, innate intelligence and invaluable skill set.

Unfortunately, while your résumé and proven capabilities scream “office ready,” your closet harkens back to the days when dressing up meant donning your cleanest dirty jeans — and your piggy bank isn’t exactly brimming over with an infinite clothing allowance.

Or perhaps you’re ensconced in corporate America but have discovered the double-breasted suits you bought as a junior executive are as outdated as panty hose, scrunchies, shoulder pads and schoolgirl skirts. And again, who has the money to blow on a whole new look?

No worries. With a little planning, some retail know-how and a few basic pointers, you can dress professionally without breaking the bank.

Do your homework

Dress codes vary from company to company — think a law firm versus an IT operation — so do research to determine what is considered professional attire for your office environment, suggests Paula Lawrence, executive director of Dress for Success Southern Nevada, a nonprofit that provides professional attire for disadvantaged women. Lawrence advises inquiring about company policy and observing management before hitting the racks.

Fit is key

This applies to men and women and is essential to achieve a polished, professional look.

“Find a good tailor, and not necessarily the one at your dry cleaner,” said Roland Smith, managing custom stylist at Stitched at the Cosmopolitan. “A good tailor can guide you in the direction of being more current and in style without having to spend more money. The majority of men in particular tend to buy based on comfort, not the right fit,” which can lead to a sloppy appearance.

Don’t follow the rainbow

It’s best to build a foundation based on neutrals.

“For a novice, stick with basic colors,” Smith said. “You can’t go wrong with navy blue, charcoal gray or black.”

And forget about busy patterns for the time being, although Stephanie Ann Vehon, founder of Image Empowering, said a pop of color can create the impression of confidence.

Stick with the basics

Lawrence said there are three fundamental components women should consider when shopping: pants/skirts, blouses and jackets/sweaters.

“These pieces provide the ability to interchange and make multiple outfits,” she said.

Consider discount outlets

“If you’ve done your homework and you know what you’re looking for, you can find really good deals at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls,” Lawrence said. “But you may want to visit a department store first to get an idea of what’s on trend — not trendy — and to check out the larger variety of styles and to try things on. Maybe an A-line skirt works better on you than a pencil skirt.”

Stores such as Nordstrom Rack and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th also are good options. Vehon, however, cautions that discount stores can have inferior products and suggests checking out resale and consignment stores for cheaper finds instead.

Consider care instructions

Keep in mind that some fabrics such as wool and silk require regular dry cleaning, which can be an additional expense. If you’re selecting a staple item, such as a jacket, that you anticipate wearing at least twice a week, you may not have the time or finances to keep it properly laundered.

Make a list

Lawrence said retailers are notorious for distracting customers with new arrivals, sale items and add-on accessories, “so write down what you need and hit that section of the store right away,” she said.

But don’t be afraid to ask salespeople for help, Vehon said.

Quality over quantity

Sure, that $20 blouse may seem like a great deal, but not if you wash it once and it disintegrates — “as opposed to spending $50 on a blouse you can wear 50 times,” Vehon said. “When you consider the price per wear, you save money buying quality.”

Blaze a trail

Men on a budget should invest in a solid blue or black wool or cotton blazer, Smith said.

“This can be paired with jeans or trousers and a shirt or a polo to make a nice ensemble for any business situation,” he said. “But once again, be sure to get it tailored.”

Wear appropriate undergarments

Ladies, this means no visible bra straps and plenty of, well, support.

Still in doubt?

It may be pricey, but “consider hiring an image consultant to do an evaluation and go through your closet to mix and match outfits,” Vehon said. “Maybe by buying five new pieces you can create 20 new outfits and enhance the wardrobe you already have.”

Tags: The Sunday

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