Men's Dress for Success

By James Ammeen

President

Men's Apparel Alliance

 

While college students are putting the finishing touches on their resumes and preparing themselves for the real world, it is important to remember that first impressions last the longest. It's not just about having the right qualifications - you have to be able to look and dress the part too! Unless you plan on working at a fast food chain or construction, where there is a specific uniform, business attire is a must in the workplace --- making a comeback like never before.

The Men's Apparel Alliance (MAA) commissioned the American Industry Dress Code Survey, in which, over 200 senior executives nationwide, including Presidents, CEO's, COO's, and Executive and Senior Vice Presidents at companies with over $150 million in annual revenues. Findings showed that more than half of Corporate America currently has traditional dress codes in place. Also according to the survey, there is a definite shift toward more formal business attire in the workplace --- suits for men and skirts or suits for women. Nearly one in five companies have recently instituted a formal business dress code.

The Men's Apparel Alliance (MAA) has found that men are “downright confused” about what is proper business attire. People have trouble classifying what type of dress is appropriate for business and what needs to stay in the closet until your day off.

With that, the MAA ‘s developed its “Dressing for Business and Beyond” Style Guide and Style Scale â to help individuals and corporations determine a situation-appropriate style of dress. While correlating to specific images individuals may wish to portray, the scale shows four different levels of style making it easy for anyone to establish a fashion frequency that fits. Choices of fabrics, colors and patterns are virtually limitless and all of the levels can be totally comfortable, affordable, and attractive, as well as authentic, classic or creative, depending on your own personal style, role and occasion.

Recent college graduates, or anyone applying for a job should note that there are certain dress standards for interviews or business meetings. When calling to set up your interview, find out the company's dress standards. Is it casual, trendy, business dress, or relaxed? Always overdress. It shows your potential boss that you are serious about the job.

If you want to portray an authoritative look, use Level 4 of The Style Scale â - the Tailored Level. The matching fitted, darker suit, is the key element. Shoes should be clean and match with your belt. The darker the suit, the more confident and official looking you will appear.

Level 3 is the Softly Tailored Look. The key element in this level is the jacket. What creates the design element here is the combination of pieces from all four of the levels. Dressing in the softly tailored look makes you appear more accessible yet influential.

Casual Tailored is Level 2, gives off an approachable, but less influential and less authoritative look. Dressing in this way will make you appear more cooperative and flexible. Made up of mostly untailored design elements, some tailored elements can be used to accent the style.

The Untailored Level is the final level, the basic no collar attire. Although you may appear very available and easy going, the look is very unofficial and temporary.

If you do plan on wearing a suit, make sure the shirt underneath is straight collared and ironed. Wearing a tie? Go with a subtle color and definitely stay away from patterns or cartoon characters.

 

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