Are we really met by clothes and saw off by mind?

By Azernews

By Gunay Hasanova

To follow some unwritten rules whether to want or not is very important if one wants to hold a certain position in the society. Remember: first you judge “how nice”, then you judge “how wise”!

As a result, sometimes we have to give up on the things we like to wear, at least, at our workplace.

In the working world, clothes matter more, especially if your job involves lots of face time with coworkers or clients. Even if your office doesn't have a written dress code, if your attire falls short of professional standards, there's nothing more awkward and embarrassing for you and your boss than being called in for your own private episode of “what not to wear”. Here's a rundown of how to choose your work-wear and avoid any fashion faux pas.

No matter how you like the mini-skirts or shorts, the office dress code will not accept them.

Moreover, it is unlikely you will be able to agree with your boss on this issue.

However, one can still manage to pick strict business dress styles and l look stylish, simple and elegant.

Unfortunately, we need to remember that it is obviously unacceptable to look like a Beach Queen in the office.  Therefore, there are certain rules regarding the way we should dress in the office to follow.

 There is a dress-code style called "boardroom attire” - the fanciest and least flexible of professional fashion categories, usually reserved for upper management, accountants, lawyers, and entry-level folks who have a lot of contact with high-level execs.

Men should wear a suit, tie non-optional, and a pair of well-polished professional shoes with socks. Slates and slippers perfect shoes, especially for the summer, but not for office. Even if your company is not burdened by a strict dress code, still leave suck kind of shoes for the beach.

For women, a pantsuit or mid-length skirt suit, black or neutral closed-toe pumps, and a conservative blouse are your best bet, although you have a bit more flexibility in terms of cuts, styles, and color. Both sexes should keep flourishes to a minimum—a bold-colored tie, a modest necklace—hair should be neat, and makeup should be unobtrusive. Even if your bare legs are perfect, you'll still want to wear pantyhose with your skirt.  It is better to give preference to strict blouses and shirts. By the way, if the heat is at its peak, you can put on top with wide straps. But remember no transparent materials! It is considered OK to wear clogs for females depending on the occasion. Alternatively, they should keep an eye on a model with closed toe and open heel, or vice versa.

Another dress code category, which is “easier” comparing to “boardroom attire”, is “business casual”. This is the point at which employees of both sexes can sigh with relief and put their suits away. For women, short-sleeved and sleeveless tops are now acceptable as long as they're made of office-appropriate fabric and keep your décolletage relatively covered. Hemlines can climb a few inches above the knee; you can also wear a shirt or shirtdress in a solid color, or a printed blouse or skirt as long as the pattern isn't too flashy.

For men, jackets are entirely optional and ties are completely unnecessary. Khakis or chinos are also acceptable in lieu of dress pants, and while your shirt should still have a collar, a black, navy, or neutral-colored polo can stand in for a button-down. And if you've been dying to sport the loafers-with-no-socks look, here's where you can try it out.

Business style should be restraint and elegant. It doesn’t accept overly bright colors or some “glamorous” gizmos.

Another small, but very important part are accessories.

Accessories - an integral part of women's wardrobe, so their choice should be taken with the utmost seriousness.

Hence, try not to overdo it with your decorations: bulky bracelets, rings and huge and bright earrings are inappropriate in the office.

Keep the accessories as simple as possible no matter whether they are gold or silver.

 A very small but essential detail is the flavors you use. Even the most pleasant smell of perfume may seem for intolerable to your colleagues since some of them may simply just have an allergy to its smell, so definitely take this into consideration!

What about jeans at work? In a casual office, they (probably) don't mind if you wear them. Just make sure you're not the only one sporting denim, and opt for your classiest pair. For men, collared shirts are optional—though, if you're going to wear a tee, make sure it's clean and in good shape. For women, cropped pants (not tops), bold prints, and mid-thigh-length skirts are OK. And as long as you're dressing for daytime and not the red carpet, your makeup and jewelry are yours to choose.

It should go without saying, but sports jerseys, evening gowns, exercise wear, pajamas, and any clothing that sports an offensive image or slogan are a bad idea no matter where you work. Even if your workplace is accepting of very casual or creative clothes, there should still be a discernible difference between your work attire and your loungewear. Stained, torn, and worn-out stuff gives the impression to your boss and coworkers that you're lazy and doesn't care.

It is strongly recommended to follow these simple rules of decency. This is especially important when your work is related to the communication with customers. The dress code fosters a sense of proportion and style.  Like it or not people” meet by clothes and see off by mind”.

“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the person”, as Coco Chanel once said.