SavvySugar

Your Two Cents: Do You Dread Business Casual?

SavvySugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:36:48 -0700

You've conquered your interview with intelligence, charm, and a confidence-building tailored suit, and you are prepared for your first day on the job. You're picking out your outfit for the first day and are trying to create something that says "business casual" - but what does that mean exactly? It can take a few days to figure out if your office leans more towards business or casual, and a work-wear consultant describes this obscurity as "the black hole of style." Do you find yourself struggling to get it right?

How to Dress For Interview Success During the Recession

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:30:19 -0700

If you asked your grandmother for interview fashion tips, she'd probably advise to "dress for the job you want, not the job you have," but the professionals seem to think now is the time to simply play it safe. Wearing casual or unusual clothes in times of economic success can be a positive because it gives the impression you're a risk-taker, but that's not what employers are looking for given the current market.

Sandy Ruddock, who is the founder of image consultants Public i, recommends plain dark suits and white shirts for men and a simple jacket, skirt and blouse combo for a woman. My general rule for interview attire is to dress one step up from the company's dress code (unless of course their dress code is extremely formal). So, if employees adhere to business casual guidelines, you should wear a suit for your interview.

I think it's most important to focus on the overall success of your interview and the things you shouldn't do, but it's clear first impressions go a long way. What would you wear if you had an interview right now?

Do You Dress More Casually on Fridays?

SavvySugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:05:24 -0700

Here at Sugar HQ we're lucky to dress as we please every day of the week, but I didn't always have it so good. My old office had me buttoned up day in and day out, though on Fridays most employees interpreted our business-casual dress code on the more casual side.

Men would wear khakis and a more colorful button-up shirt, and women might wear a sweater or a more comfortable dress than usual. There was nothing in our extensive code saying that we could tone it down on Fridays and we simply established the habit for ourselves. The majority of you have business-casual dress codes at the office, but does Friday mean you dress more casually?

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Ask Savvy: What Should I Wear to a Job Interview?

SavvySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:30:45 -0700

Q: Dear Savvy,

I have an advanced degree in Science and Engineering and am currently job hunting. I keep seeing and hearing conflicting reports about what to wear to my interviews. Any advice?

A: Office attire seems to be a common theme this week - the Project Runway contestants certainly had some interesting and varied ideas of what attire is appropriate for a college graduate entering the working world. Some of their creations may have passed once you've been established as an employee, but figuring out what to wear on an interview is more pressing because it's all about making your best first impression. See my tips for interview appropriate attire when you read more.

The general rule for interview attire is to dress one step up from the company's dress code (unless of course their dress code is formal). So, if employees adhere to business casual guidelines, than you should choose to wear a suit for your interview. Likewise, if you're interviewing in a casual office you'll want to dress one step up. I don't recommend wearing jeans to an interview, even if they are your dressy denim.

I find that a well-tailored (but not mini-length!) dress can be a great solution when you're interviewing in a casual office. If you're someone who is more comfortable in pants, then wear a freshly-pressed pair of pants that are more dressed up than jeans and a top that is conservative but not stiff. And if you're not sure of the dress code? Call the office's main number and ask the receptionist!

Do any of you have additional job interview attire advice? Please share!

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What Is Your Office's Dress Code?

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:27:04 -0700

When your office requires a specific dress code you can end up with several wardrobes: one for work, one for casual daytime, and another for nights out. Leaving a business-casual environment (no sleeveless shirts, open-toed shoes, denim, etc.) and moving to a casual environment was a truly freeing experience for me! Not to mention the money I save from not having to buy a separate work wardrobe. What do you wear to the office?

Do You Judge Your Co-Workers by How They Dress?

SavvySugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:30:23 -0700

Old adages may tell us to "dress for success" and "dress for the job you want, not the job you have," but 49 percent of you define your work dress code as "business casual." I happen to think business casual is perfectly appropriate for most professions and when it's not companies usually create a dress code; however, it seems pretty obvious that we all judge a book by its cover from time to time. Do you find yourself judging your co-workers based on their style?
Photo courtesy of NBC

Tap Friends of Friends to Make Educated Decisions

SavvySugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:00:48 -0700

Some of the most valuable people in job searching have been those I've known only casually. They aren't people I networked with in order to find new jobs; rather, they're resources I used to determine whether or not particular jobs I already had my eye on would be a good fit for my goals. While networking to find new jobs is a priceless tool, sometimes it's not the job you need help with, but getting more information in order to make an educated decision.

When you're looking for a new job, ask your friends and relatives if they know anyone in your industry of interest. After you've been introduced in person or through email, ask the industry insider any question that isn't too personal to them. For example, ask them to describe the organizational aspects of companies in the industry, what it takes to succeed, what you can expect in the positions you've been offered or have applied for, if there's seasonal business, etc.

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Poor, Unfortunate, Pantyhose: The Right to Bare Legs

SavvySugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:05:08 -0700

Pantyhose and I are not friends. We have never been friends, and I don't even like the way it sounds when I say "pantyhose." Fortunately, I haven't been forced into wearing them since childhood, and apparently I should consider myself lucky. Some offices require that women wear hose, and The Wall Street Journal did some serious investigation into the world of women and their legs at work.

They unsurprisingly found that there's a distinct generational divide when it comes to pantyhose preference, but it hadn't occurred to me there would still be a geographical divide as well. Jim Holt, president of a small financial institution in Wichita, Kansas attended a seminar and received this advice regarding women's business casual wear: "Nylon hose and dress shoes are to be worn at all times. We're not New York or San Francisco. We're the Midwest."

Here's their video of New Yorkers of both sexes weighing in on their opinion of pantyhose. Where do you stand?

Fashion Tightrope: Interview Attire

SavvySugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:59:44 -0800

Whether we like it or not, our appearance is part of the overall first impression when we're interviewed for a new job. If your resume is polished but your attire doesn't mesh with the company's culture, you may be overlooked for someone with a similar resume that took time to dress appropriately. A well thought out interview outfit will not only let the company know that you're serious about the job, but you'll feel more confident knowing that you've done everything you can to make yourself a memorable candidate.

Interviewers can be more observant than you'd think and pay attention to everything from peek-a-boo bra straps to ragged socks. The Wall Street Journal featured a "Dressing to Impress" list for job seekers composed by business-etiquette consultant Ann Marie Sabath. To see her tips for dressing up and dressing down, just read more

These are her tips that I found most compelling.

Iron your shirts - even the no-iron ones.
Keep a sharp crease in your pants.
The higher a woman climbs on the corporate ladder, the more light-colored suits she can and should wear (to be less intimidating).
The definition of business casual: one notch down from business normal.
Dress for the position you want, not for the one you currently have.
Match the culture of the industry: Call ahead or have your recruiter suss out the office's style.

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