Style: Brian Maynor June 13, 2013

You know it’s possible to dress too young for the office, but didyou also know you could dress too old?  After working for a majority ofyour life it is easy to let your image fall into a rut, but wearing thesame clothes you wore 5 years ago is more than a fashion violation.  You appear out-of-touch, irrelevant and thus less valuable in the jobmarket. 

Success today is all about staying at the top of your game for as longas possible, and that includes knowing about trends and being savvyenough to incorporate them appropriately. 

Here are a few tips to keeping an up-to-date image:

1. Reinterpret Traditions.  The rules have changedsince you first entered the workforce.  For example, the traditionalrule of keeping your shoes matching or darker than your lowest hem wasmade before nude shoes were as prominent and accepted as they aretoday.  Making this one adjustment to your outfit will drop 10 years off your look immediately.
2. Update your suits.  Material, cut and detailinghave all improved over the last decade, and should be reflected in yourwardrobe.  Notice the jacket is fitted with the silhouette following the shape of your body and the pants are flat-front with a straight leg.  The debate over cuffs continues, but there is no question that pleatedpants with a tapered leg are over, and have been for quite some time.
3. Showing skin is a good thing.  You may not hearthis every often, and it falls under the general rule of keeping yourlook age appropriate, but it is true.  As we age the tendency is tocover more, but that can be overkill.  This dress has ¾ length sleeves,falls to the knee and has a flattering yet conservative V-neck detail.  All modern elements in an age-appropriate format.  If you want to addhosiery keep the shade natural. 
4. Patterns are permitted.  This fitted grey ginghamshirt is a great alternative to the traditional solid white and blueones, and the neutral color keeps it from being too casual.  The narrowstriped-tie complements the pattern of the shirt and makes it appearmore like a texture, especially under the jacket.  Please note modernties should not be more than 3-inches wide.  Gentlemen, this one changehas the same effect of dropping 10 years from your look as the nude shoe does for women.

Keeping your image modern and relevant is achoice you can make with a few simple, and sometimes subtle, details.  The alternative diminishes your credibility along with your competitiveedge. 

Women’s Updated Image

Men’s Updated Image