Deborah OConnor September 17, 2013

There are many companies and industries where business casual is the everyday dress. Whether you wear casual clothing, a uniform, or a mix of the two, there are guidelines to looking professional and neat. Let’s take a look at some of them.

•    What to wear for casual days seems to be a constant dilemma. If you work in an industry that requires uniforms, such as nurses, coaches, sanitation workers, doctors, fast-food, etc, the decision is made for you. But if it is left up to the individual, the choice can be daunting and the chance of erring on the bad side increases exponentially.

•    The idea of casual dressing was to remove some of the pressure of always having to look businesslike and formal at work. The intention was to raise morale and increase productivity by easing dress standards. Unfortunately, this failed miserably. Many thought that because they were dressed casually that they could work casually and productivity declined.

•    People usually act the way they are dressed. If you wear clothing that is too casual, people often put their feet on the desk, slouch in their chair, and in general look and act lazy. If you are dressed more professionally, you work better and are better received by colleagues and clients.

•    Clothing should be appropriate for the business service or product. If you wear a uniform, it should be clean and neatly pressed and free of stains and patches. Your grooming and demeanor should reflect a positive and professional attitude.

•    Do not wear the following: shorts, fleece or athletic wear unless it is specific to your job, low necklines, sheer fabrics, barefoot sandals, denim (unless it is specifically allowed), t-shirts, workout clothing, beach wear, clothing that is too tight or sexy, or clothing that is inappropriate for your industry.

•    Many employees think that because they are not seeing customers that day that they can come to work dressed casually. How impressed will your best client be if he or she pops in unexpectedly and sees you in shorts and a t-shirt? How impressed would you be if you went to your bank and saw your banker in shorts, sandals, and a ratty t-shirt? Not very, I’m guessing.

•    There are benefits to looking professional whether it be casual or dressy. It instills satisfaction and self-confidence and portrays an image that is respected by co-workers as well as clients.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz