Fitting in at Work

STYLE: Spring 08
At interviews or in the early days of a new job, you want to dress well and make a professional impression. For the first day or two, don’t just dress to meet the standard, kick it up a notch to make a killer first impression. But if you’re donning a suit and tie while your co-workers are in jeans and t-shirts, don’t be a tool – ditch the suit and dress to fit in. You can be a brofessional regardless of what you are wearing – just remember to be appropriate for the situation and the occasion. For example, jeans might fly in your workplace, but when meeting with a potential client or investor, you want to dress for the occasion. Alternatively, if you find you’re the dude who missed the memo on the dress code, make sure you put in the extra effort to make sure you’re not the office slob, but the cool new bro with a classy wardrobe.

This season, here are a few tips that could work well in a variety of workplace dress situations:

1. Layer It– Layer it this season with a sweater covered by a small or fitted Barbour coat. It’s not about the size of the coat, it’s about the fit of the layered look. (Men’s Style – The Uprgrader)
2. Go All the Way – the half-business, half-casual look is so last season. This year it’s either/or – either dress sharply or casually, but don’t mix the two. Pair a jacket with dress pants, not jeans, and wear jeans with an appropriate shirt.
3. Fitted is In – Whether it’s skinny pants or slender sleeves, the fitted look is the way to go. Fitted casual wear, fitted suits, and fitted jackets are all en vogue this season. Ditch the baggy pants and the oversized shirts and catch the slim vibe.