When dressing for work, make sure you remember the office setting. Is it a professional corporation or a casual area welcoming the public? Think about what your coworkers wear, but do not copy them fully. Reflect on the style and appearance of their attire, rather than copying them. You should consider your options when your job doesn’t require you to wear a uniform like at some retail places, allowing for freedom of choice. But at the same time, make sure you are respecting your workplace rules on appearance, as your personal preference of clothing might not be appropriate for the job. Review the best types of clothing styles you feel are both fashionable and office-appropriate, and wear them in front of a mirror to see if they are all right to walk into work with. 

For modesty reasons, do not wear clothing that reveals too much of your body. In some cases, if you have body modifications, like tattoos or piercings, you should cover them up as best as you can. Wear long sleeves, or simply remove your piercings before you walk into the office. Be considerate about other workers and share your thoughts on the dress code required for the office. 

Professional Attire at its Best

This notion is referring to looking your best at work. Wear a dress shirt and blazer, along with pants or a skirt that matches your blazer in colour. Depending on the season, wear a dark-colored blazer if it is the winter or fall, as Toronto can get cold during those seasons. For warmer weather, wear light grey or beige or similar light colors, for your clothes. And always remember, a suit or blazer is required for the most corporate and professional jobs. And also, if it is too cold at times, ask your supervisor if you can wear a sweater in the office, like a solid-coloured pullover sweater but not a hoodie. 

Pants and Skirts

Make sure your pants are straight and slim, and the cuff of the pant reaches midway of your shoes. For skirts, they should reach the knee, preferably a little further down. This is all in relation to modesty and respect of the office environment, as shorts are not appropriate in the office, no matter how hot. Luckily, most workplaces have air conditioning to keep you cool. 

Shoes

Some people have a personal preference for their footwear, like flat shoes or a certain brand, like Nike. But for work, it is important to wear business-oriented footwear. What ‘business-oriented’ means is that the shoes should be plain, not flashy, and should match the traditional views on footwear. Oxford dress shoes are good for daily wear, as are leather pumps and strapped shoes. And make sure the colors are more conservative, like black or brown, not blue or pink which are ‘flashy’ and can stand out in the office. If you are wearing heels, make sure they are not too high up, preferably between two to four inches. Too high up might be distracting. 

Accessories 

Accessories are part of your attire, and they include smaller attire-items like belts. Your belt should have plain buckles, and is preferably dark in color. Your socks, although not always visible, should be dark as well, even with a stripe pattern. Just make sure they are not coloured or have pictures on them. The best socks are plain black ones, which go well with everything, including light-coloured pants. Other accessories, which are not necessary, include wristwatches and earrings, all common jewellery, but should be conversative in appearance. A plain silver, gold, or other color is appropriate for a watch, as well as earrings. Earrings should be small, not big hoops or flesh gauges, just small studs in silver or white or another colour. Lastly, the bag you bring in should be a plain black or brown colour, a messenger bag or briefcase. 

Now that you understand the dress code, go check out your wardrobe to see if you have these clothes clean and ready for work. Iron them, wash them if need be, and make sure there are no stains on them. It is up to you to decide what is fashionable but at the same time, respecting your office and its dress code.

Babak Eslami | Writer