Students and Alumni

Dress Tips

There are three types of business attire.

• Interview Attire
• Professional Attire
• Business Casual Attire

Interview Attire

What is Interview Attire? Black, navy, and dark gray suits with little or no pattern (i.e. pinstripes or plaid). ell-pressed, long-sleeved white collared shirts (light subdued colors like pale blue may be appropriate, but classic black or dark colors with white is preferred). Simple ties with minimal patterns and tame colors. When to wear Interview Attire Interview Formal business meeting Formal presentations When a first impression is extremely important When you are uncertain of the attire

Professional Attire

What is Professional Attire? More expressive and unique colors and styles can be incorporated, as can more pronounced patterns (i.e. pinstripes and plaids). May include skirt suits, pant suits, and blazers and pants that coordinate but are not matching colors. Suit jackets are not required. A nice shirt or blouse Ties optional Pressed pants or a skirt is appropriate. Long or short sleeves  Less formal materials (such as tweed) When to wear Professional Attire An established job that allows more freedom in attire Less formal meetings and presentations

Business Casual Attire

What is Business Casual Attire? Polo shirts, khakis, and sweaters Short sleeves More freedom in colors, patterns and materials When to wear Business Casual Attire When the company dress code allows it When it is clear that all members of an organization are wearing it

General Tips and Guidelines

Regardless of the type of attire, the following guidelines should always be followed:

• Properly iron clothing (pants creased, shirts neatly pressed).
• Have your clothing items for important interviews or meetings dry cleaned and ready to wear.
• Wear properly fitting attire; avoid tight clothing or too big/loose
• Walk and sit in your clothing to ensure comfort.
• A black leather portfolio for note-taking or carrying resumes
• A black or brown shoulder bag or briefcase is appropriate.
• In the case of uncertainty, error on the side of too formal.
• Once a part of the company, be sure to gather as much insight into your attire as possible through a company’s dress code and by observing what other employees are wearing.

Women's Attire

Guidelines more specific to women include the following:

• Subdued hair, makeup, jewelry, and nails (becomes less stringent in business casual)
• Skirts should fall at the knee.
• If wearing a skirt, wear nylons that match your outfit.
• Avoid knee-high boots, stilettos, and open toe shoes.
• Shoes comfortable for walking and standing
• Belt and shoes that match
• A small black or brown handbag is appropriate but consolidating all items into a single bag is ideal.

Men's Attire

Guidelines more specific to men include the following:

• Pants that hit the shoe and never touch or drag on the floor
• Socks that are calf-length and neutral colors matching your pants (black, navy, brown, gray, or tan)
• No earrings