6 Ways to Make a Better Impression with Business Casual

The average work wardrobe is about as memorable as a PowerPoint slide. Stand out with these smart upgrades

A relaxed dress code may seem like a gift from the corner office gods. Careful: It could be a test—or even a trap, one that prevents you from joining their ranks.

“Business casual allows you to exude your brand, personality, and style, and that’s why it’s so risky,” says Joseph Rosenfeld, a brand consultant based in Silicon Valley. “Men don’t always think about what their clothes communicate.”


What says “chill and in charge” to you might come off as “sloppy and slackerish” to your colleagues. Use this simple wardrobe cross-check to make sure your clothes are working for you.

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1. Step in the Right Direction
A more casual office may let you remove your wingtips from the rotation, but think twice before replacing them with your Air Jordans.

Look for sneakers that combine simple designs and high-end materials, like suede or crocodile-embossed leather, says Rosenfeld.

“The right shoe will communicate that you’re an active, friendly, approachable guy.”

2. Learn to Divide and Conquer
Still hanging on to old jackets and suit pants? Break heavy suits into separates for more options, says celebrity stylist Ashley Weston.

Pair a suit coat with jeans, or trousers with a sweater. Neutrals like navy and gray are versatile—especially if the material is textured or patterned, says Weston.

Avoid anything thin with a silky sheen: “It’ll just look tacky,” she says.

3. Put Your Neck on the Line
Your Windsor knot skills have atrophied, but you still long for the authority that a necktie conveys. Here’s your middle ground: the knit tie.

Its narrow shape and subtle texture make it more relaxed than silky woven or printed options.

Just one warning: “Pair it with a patterned shirt,” Rosenfeld says. “A solid dress shirt will look too dressy.”

4. Make the Little Things Count
Accessories convey that you respect details, says Weston. A tie bar or pocket square instantly elevates any look, but people also tend to notice your wrists and feet.

(Related: Simple Style Tricks That Make You Stand Out.)

“Men don’t have many pieces to show off,” Weston says, “so a metal watch with a leather strap, or well-made leather dress shoes, will rise above the fitness trackers and comfort kicks.”

5. Know When You Need to Downsize
Laid-back doesn’t mean loose, says Rosenfeld. The more slack fabric you can grab, the worse off you are.

“When everything is a size too big, you look less fit, nimble, and alert,” Rosenfeld says.

But when clothing skims your frame, it signals to your colleagues that you’re ready for action.

“And when you dress strong,” he says, “your ideas will only seem stronger.”

6. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Save the frayed light-wash jeans for the family cookout. Instead, opt for a slim cut in a dark wash with no whiskering or distressing, Rosenfeld says.

“Combine a sport coat with a cotton button-up shirt to look more authoritative,” he says.

Twill trousers—a hybrid between jeans and casual pants—are an easy but not overly formal way to work color into the mix.


Source:

http://www.menshealth.com/style/make-a-better-impression-with-business-casual