Your office dress code should err on the side of conservative. According to the Lipstick & Lollipops, let these five rules with a bit of Coco Chanel be your guide:
http://www.chicagonow.com/lipstick-lollipops/2014/03/office-dress-code/
Dress for Success
What you wear is still relevant. And some of these studies, although a bit dated, are still holding true. The truth is that business has changed. But not as much as many people assume. Most businesses are still conservative – and many are moving towards ultra-conservative in a backlash against business casual.
The bottom line is that even today, the women who mimic the dress of the top executives in their organization still get promoted more and paid more.
If you want to be paid more and promoted, it may help you to think about your time at work in a different way. Instead of seeing work being an extension of who you are, start thinking of yourself as being on Broadway, playing the role of a ladder-climbing executive. And think, “What costume fits my role?”
Costume designers know that smart dressing involves sending subliminal messages. They don’t first think, “What colors will go with that back drop?” Instead, when casting the part of a successful woman climbing the corporate ladder, they think:
- “What clothes portray a serious businesswoman who’s successfully climbing the ladder?”
- “What judgments will people form when first seeing her based on the wardrobe?”
- “What accessories and clothes would take away from the desired image?”
If you’re smart, you’ll think like a Broadway costume designer and be aware of the messages your clothing sends.
Sources: When Doing It All Won't Do: A Self-Coaching Guide for Career Women
