Brian Maynor June 6, 2013

June 3, 2013
By Brian Maynor
June 6, 2013

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You have taken all the right steps toward earning a promotion: worked hard, put in the hours and impressed the bosses, yet nothing seems to be happening.  Time to consider another crucial element to workplace success, dressing for the part.

See the outfits below.

We have all heard the adage, ‘dress for the job you want, not the job you have,’ but what exactly does that mean?  It is very unlikely that you will have the budget and ability to dress like a CEO on your first job out of school, which is OK, if you interpret the advice a little less literally.  The key is to blend the elements from the job you want that make sense and are appropriate with the job you have.  Here are a few things to remember when you are dressing for the job you want:

1.    Make sure your clothes fit.  This is the number one rule for every item in your closet because it is the main way to look “pulled together”.  However, it is never more abused than with men’s dress shirts.  Now that fitted dress shirts are readily available, and have been for several years, there is absolutely no excuse for wearing shirts that balloon out around your stomach.  Unfitted shirts not only look sloppy without a jacket they make you look out-of-touch with all modern trends.

2.    Make sure you can perform your job duties.  If you are running errands in and out of the office, wearing a suit jacket might not be the most practical choice.  A sleeveless top will help you keep cool and pairing it with a cardigan makes it office appropriate.  The cardigan also mirrors a suit jacket, but is more practical for performing your job duties.

3.    Pay attention to the details.  Accessories go a long way advancing your wardrobe, and indicate you are relevant and evolving.  By upgrading your watch, wallet and pen you show that you are paying attention to the subtle details of the people you admire in positions you hope to achieve.  Plus these are more accessible purchases on a budget because they can be added over time.

4.    Make it personal.  You are an individual with a unique aesthetic and it is okay to meld that into your professional attire if done so thoughtfully, like with a signature item. For example, if you work in an office with a highly conservative dress code, but feel more comfortable and productive wearing bold, vibrant colors one effective way to incorporate them would be with a scarf.  It provides the pop of color while still being appropriate for the environment.

Promotion is progression and part of that progress is creating and maintaining a wardrobe that fits into the parameters of your workplace while highlighting your ambition.  However that wardrobe needs to also be functional and appropriate for your current job and age.

 

Women’s Promotion Outfit

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Men’s Promotion Outfit


 

 
I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].

Images created using www.Polyvore.com.

 
 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coachesin the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIANMAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consultingservices. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earthpersonality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations;modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; recordlabels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashionblogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trustedand recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education andtraining as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee,and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows,expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands likeBanana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach isinnovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.