The Business of Casual

The vibe of the school I work at is relaxed. Super relaxed. And that’s great because, though I have enough suit, shirt, and tie combinations to make it through a month, I don’t always feel like wearing them. But the department I work in must tread carefully. And that’s perfect for me because it allows me to explore wardrobe options that I could in a more rigid corporation. If I feel like wearing a suit, I wear a suit. If I don’t have a meeting that day and feel like a polo and chinos with some Onitsuka Tiger low tops, I can do that. It’s important to have a fluid wardrobe these days because, as businesses lean more to a causal look in the workplace in order to make employees more comfortable, if you cannot walk into an interview looking both put-together and relaxed, you run the risk of not getting the job. No matter how great your résumé looks or how well-versed you are on the past, present, and future direction of the organization, an inability to present yourself a as good fit to that environment will invariably prevent you from gaining employment.

A few rules for being professional in a more liberal environment.
1) Ties are not always bad. Most days, I don’t wear ties because the parents at the school I work at put their kids here so that they would not conform to the corporate structure. They want their kids to think outside the box and, therefore, they must see the outside of the box on a regular basis. But, depending on what I have going on during a given day, I will wrap a stylish necktie around my collar and make a casual outfit look great.
2) There is a time and place for suits. I have traditionally cut and fitted suits. Depending on who I’m meeting with and the presence I want to have, I choose to wear a suit from time to time. Doing so is fine as long as it’s appropriate for my day. On Grandparents’ Day, because I’m working with a more traditional crowd, I’m dressed more conservatively. During the end of year party, jeans, a polo, and sneakers are perfectly acceptable. Realizing whose attention you have at the moment and being able to adapt to that audience is critical to your ability to succeed.
3) Look clean. Cleanliness has nothing to do with being dressed up. If ripped jeans and graphic tees are your organization’s thing, rock ripped jeans and an appropriate graphic. If you’re in slacks, a shirt and a tie, make sure they’re pressed. You don’t have to be dressed up but you should look (and smell) like you didn’t just roll out of the bed, rinse your mouth out, and hop in the car. Be intentional with everything from your hair to your shoes.

Today, I had to take a leadership role in a  committee meeting. For that, I put on the outfit you see in this post’s feature photo. Tomorrow is Friday and my calendar is pretty wide open. I’ll be relaxing. In liberal environments, don’t do the most when it comes to dressing, but don’t do the least. Be you and be comfortable. People will respect your style and your ability to maneuver in and out of different situations with apparent ease.

 

Make professional development a priority.

Know What to Wear Where and When and Win

Yes, that is a tongue twister if you say it 10 times fast. And, no, that is not a typo. Knowing what to wear where and when so that you will win in the professional world. Today will be a very long day for me. I woke up for some reason at 4:30 (grateful that I did wake up though) and so I began my day. I worked out, ironed my clothes for the day (which I would have done last night but just didn’t feel like it), looked over some client documents, and prepared my portfolio for a consulting opportunity. I’m going to need to be out of the house at 7:10 to handle some stuff before work and still arrive at the office between 8:15 and 8:30. But that’s not what’s going to make today long. Today will be long because I have an after work dinner to go to at which I will still be working. And it is important to know what to wear to this dinner so that I succeed.

Dressing is a lot like marketing. You have to know your target audience. Being that I’m in the field of fundraising, I know what events require my tuxedo and what lunches I’ll need to dress down for in some chinos and a polo.

Tonight’s dinner is with the new parents at my school. Now, I don’t want to come out in my most formal navy suit with all the bells and whistles like a french cuff shirt and a pocket watch. These are new parents who I may be developing relationships with over the next decade or so of their child’s life. I want to meet them and make them comfortable. So, since the weather is still nice out, I’m wearing my brown suit with a bow tie or a knit necktie and some bold (but not too loud) wingtips. Though my target market may eventually see me in my tuxedo, tonight is not a night to come on too strong.

Next week, on the other hand, we have our annual Major Donors’ Dinner to show appreciation to all those who have given a certain amount, as well as to court those who we hope to get to a certain giving range this year. That’s where the cuff links come out. My target market, though they don’t know me, is comfortable with someone in my position asking for x-number of dollars. There’s no need to ease them into the process.

You must know what to wear where and when in order to win.

And please believe that, tomorrow, I will be in chinos and a polo.

 

Make professional development a priority.

You’re Doing It Wrong

How many times have you heard “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have?”  That’s only true to an extent these days.  That saying came about when a collared shirt was a staple in casual (and I mean “grocery store shopping” casual) dress.  So there was nowhere to go but up as far as dress went.  But now we live in an era where the only time CEOs in certain industries don a suit is when they are meeting with potential investors.  And, actually, if you walk into certain interviews dressed in impeccable business professional regalia, you will have lost the job from the moment they see you and the interview will become a mere formality so as not to give the appearance of wasting your time.

So, how do you know when to put on your best suit for an interview and when to dress it down?  Glad you asked.

1 – Research the company culture.  Check out their website.  If they have a Facebook group or a Twitter account, see if they have any photos of inside the office posted.  These things will be very telling.  If no one is wearing a suit in the photograph, maybe you shouldn’t either.  If everyone is, guess what? … Yep.  You got it.

2 – Research the position.  If you see in the social media photos that only the CEO and COO are wearing suits and everyone else is in chinos and polos, for the interview, find a nice middle ground.

3 – If you’re wearing a tie, know what it says.  I save my knit ties for interviews with start-ups, my repp ties for higher ed, and my solids/lightly-patterned ties for corporate.  And the color of the tie is HUGE so be certain that you know what feelings the tie you’re wearing evokes in people.

4 – Always dress a step up for the interview.  Ok, the goal is not to out-dress anyone but it is to show that you have a range of articles within your wardrobe.  If they want to move you up in 6 months, you can do it without being put in a fiscally-irresponsible situation. Now, a step up doesn’t mean you wear a tuxedo if a suit is the norm there.  It just means that, if a suit is the norm, you put on your absolute best suit, shirt, and tie combo.  If a polo is the norm, put on a button down shirt.  And, if a button down is the norm, toss a blazer on top if it.  Just enough to show that you respect the position without saying “Hey, you… Yeah, you, there interviewing me.  Know that I’m coming for your job after a year.”

5 – In the event that you don’t have the clothes you need, thrift them.  That’s pretty self-explanatory.  Don’t go breaking the bank to interview for a job that you may not get (I would like to hope you’d get it but you never know).  I’ve found some of my best professional clothes in immaculate condition on the racks of thrift stores, consignment shops, and discount retailers. You don’t have to spend big bucks to look like big bucks.

In life, always know where you are and what you are there to do.  I don’t go to church wearing a preacher’s robe because, guess what?  I’m not going to be the one delivering a sermon that Sunday and, doing such would confuse both the actual preacher and the congregation.  People don’t like being confused.  So do your best not to confuse the person who is interviewing you.  That’s an easy way to eliminate yourself from the second round of interviews.

 

Make professional development a priority.

Layering

Here we are, halfway through October and the weather should be cooling down over the next few weeks. But, just because it’s fall/winter doesn’t mean you don’t have to still look your best at work. So how can you look great and still stay warm? Layering my friends. Layering.

Now, you don’t want to walk into the office (or happy hour or church or anywhere) looking like four random racks from the Goodwill so you have to have a plan of action when it comes to layering in the winter. Here’s a pretty good formula for making sure that you stay warm and still remain stylish. (If you’re in a moderate region, it may not be cold enough for this full outfit until December so bookmark this post and come back to it later).

First layer: Underwear

I don’t care what season it is, you CANNOT skip out on the underwear. Whether you’re a boxers or a briefs guy, please put on some underwear. And a tank top/A-Shirt may work to your advantage too just to provide some extra insulation if needed.

Second layer: Thermals
Thermals/Long Johns are a great way to insulate the body during the coldest times of the year. They are worn in place of a regular undershirt and a must-have in every man’s wardrobe if he lives in or plans to ever travel to an area where the temperature drops below 40 °F.

Third layer: Slacks/A Suit and a Shirt
You’re still going to work. You still have to wear pants. You still have to wear a shirt. But, since you have two layers clothing on underneath this one, you may want to opt out of wearing your most well-tailored shirt and suit. It will create for a pretty awkward day for you and those in your office. Just my suggestion.

Fourth layer: Sweater
You can wear a sweater between your suit jacket and your shirt. Make sure that it compliments your outfit though. You don’t want to be wearing a sweater the color of split pea soup with a black suit (or any suit that I can think of for that matter).

Fifth layer: Outerwear
In the event that you are dealing with unbearable cold and more than a suit jacket/blazer is required, it is time to pull out a top layer. In a formal business setting, I recommend a peacoat or a 3/4 length as a winter coat. Anything else will take away from your shirt and tie. However, if business casual is the dress code, you can get away with a well-kept jacket. Also, gloves, hats, and scarves are acceptable until you sit down at your desk. Then they need to be removed unless there is some kind of heating malfunction in the office that day.

Don’t be afraid to have fun with layering. It can really help you find your fall/winter style and add a whole new weapon to your arsenal of style. And, if you have any other suggestions, let me know. The more, the merrier.

The Gentleman’s Guide to a Perfect Suit

The Details

Have you ever heard the saying “The devil is in the details?” If you haven’t what that means is details are what make anything truly great. That goes for a presentation, a book, a blog, or a meal. And the same holds true for your clothing.

A solid white shirt is always a safe move to make but what if you decide you don’t want to be safe today? Finding a quality shirt with subtle details that make it look great with your suits is not always easy but it is rewarding when they come together. I love a nice gingham shirt or one with subtle windowpanes underneath a solid suit. Pair the shirt with an impeccable tie and you’ve won. But too many subtle details will quickly turn you from a runner up for GQ Man of the Year to a walking optical illusion. Don’t be that guy. Simple, subtle details. Not too loud. Just something to catch someone’s eye. Who knows? You might get a compliment. Or, better yet, a job offer.

Working Woman: Are you dressed for the job?

With today’s society playing a huge role in fashion, sometimes it is important to stick with the basics – what fashion guru’s would call essentials – when dressing for work or interviews. I know we all have our connotations for the word “basic”, but breath, it’s not always a bad term to gravitate to. It has been predicted that fashion will continue to become sexier and much more revealing, but it is certainly not what employers are looking for. As a female or male, details matter when dressing for an interview or a business-related job. To begin, I’d like to challenge you and say many of the reasons women are not getting jobs has nothing to do with your skills, qualifications or experience, but initially the way you dress. Let’s not get things out of order, the way you dress still goes a long with first impression. Don’t believe me? Well according to Forbes magazine, employers know within the first 10 seconds whether you are the person for the job or not by what you’re wearing. First of all, this is because how you dress says a lot about your personality. For example, if you come to work or an interview with a stain on your shirt, that’s all the boss or employer will see and could relate it to you being irresponsible, unprepared, etc. Second, a study was done stating that, “dressing wrong is equivalent to picking your nose during an interview”. Now, that goes without saying you should redefine what dressing “right” is. So today, I will leave with some major tips of how to land the job you want or impress your boss by the way you dress. If you have not already invested in these essentials listed below, it’s time to start:

Black, navy or gray skirt or pant suit
Casual white or black blouse
Button up or polo
Close toed black, navy or brown heels no higher than 3 inches.
These items can be mix matched making it over 6 different outfits.
Women don’t :
Ever, ever, ever show cleavage.
Wear too much makeup, especially not bright eye shadows or lipstick.
Put on noisy jewelry.
Wear too-tight or none-fitting garments, know your body type.
Women do:
Dress conservative.
Iron your clothes.
Put light makeup on.
Wear small earring studs and small arm watch (the watch eliminates any reason to check your phone for time).
Wear pantyhose with your skirt or dress, always.
Be positive and smile!
A general rule to remember : less is always more.

I hope these helpful tips better prepare you to begin dressing in the business environment. Now, are you dressed for the job?

Jatcie Varner is a current senior at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Born in Akron, Ohio, she moved to Gastonia, North Carolina as a young child with her parents. After being named “Best-Dressed” amongst her peers while attending Forestview High School, it fueled her creative style and her drive to pursue a career in fashion. “It honestly came as a surprise, but what I’ve learned is who you are will always show up in an environment and that’s when I became serious about fashion”, she says. Studying Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies with a minor in Business, she plans to excel in fashion retail, become an independent fashion stylist, open her boutique, receive her MBA and help people become aware of our social issues through social entrepreneurship after gaining her degree May 2014. While she stays busy working at the Limited and serving her community, she commits her time to many different organizations on UNCG’s campus including Threads (Fashion Club), Black Business Students Association (Vice President) and The Summit (College Ministry). She has always been passionate about fashion, which is why you can always find her researching new trends or trying the latest fads. If you have any questions about the Well-Dressed Woman column please email Jatcie Varner at jtvarner22@gmail.com.

The Weekender

More often than not, my trips are only one to two nights.  I’m sure the same is true for most of my readers, being that only a certain amount of vacation time is alotted to each employee.  One of the toughest problems I used to encounter as a frequent traveler was what to pack in my weekender bag.  But a few months ago, I found one that was the perfect size and, from that point on, I got it down to a science.

A what?
First of all, a weekender is not the size of a regular large duffle bag.  It’s a bag that is easy to fit in the passenger seat of your car or the overhead storage of a plane/train.  You can find them costing anywhere from $500+ (my dream weekender was around that price and is a leather work of art made my Ralph Lauren) or you can do what I did and rummage through thrift stores until you find a stylish one for $3.99.  And, luckily, mine was still in its packaging and in mint condition.  I guess someone just didn’t want it but, you know what they say: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Below, you’ll find a few weekender bags just so you can get the idea of what they look like.

OK, I’ve got one… What now?
So, now they question is “What do you put into your weekender?”  Well, after a bit of trial and error, it’s become pretty simple.  I’ll start broad and then get more specific as far as my 2 days, 1 night trip for this weekend goes.

Clothes
2 Shirts
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of pants
2 Tee shirts
3 pair of boxers
1 sweater (in cold weather)
1 tie
1 watch
1 pair of shoes
1 pair of sneakers
2 pair of socks (rolled up and placed in the shoes)
1 sweatsuit

Electronics/Accessories
Jewelery
1 Hat (I would carry this so it doesn’t get misshaped but if its a tobogan or something, go ahead and toss it in)
Phone charger
Headphones
Cologne
A lint roller/brush
A towel & wash cloth
An ink pen

Dopp Kit (a toiletry bag)

1 toothbrush
1 travel sized tube of toothpaste
1 roll of floss
A hair brush and/or comb
Klenex
Wet Wipes
2 Q-tips
Hand lotion
Hair cream
Razor to shave
Shaving cream
Aftershave/Alcohol
Bandaids
Asprin
Shampoo
Body wash and/or bar of soap
Deodorant
Nail clippers

Optional
A book
A travel sized umbrella
A shoe horn
A $20 bill
Gym clothes 

Business or pleasure?
In my opinion, a weekender isn’t ideal for business trips unless you’re planning on traveling in a suit.  I say that because I am not a fan of folding suits in the fashion that they would need to be folded in order to fit in this small of a bag with all the other items I’ve mentioned.  But if you do want to travel with one and still carry a managable bag, just hop in the car/on the plane/train with it and, before you know it, you’ll have reached your destination.  I honestly prefer my medium-sized roll-on for business trips because it gives me more room to plan for daytime meetings and nighttime adventures in whatever city I’m in and most airlines still allow it a bag of that size on to the plane.

Speaking of what to travel in, try to travel in an outfit that will allow you to step into whatever setting you will be in once you  reach your destination.  That way, you can possibly have a backup outfit in the bag.

Safe travels
Well, gents, there you have it.  You’re ready for your next weekend/overnight trip.  Oh yeah, so of course this isn’t the “always works” list.  Check the weather.  If you’re going to the beach, modify it a bit (Tank tops and shorts instead of shirts and sweaters).  But if we’re talking about a quick trip home to see mom and some friends from high school, this should fit the bill.  Below, you’ll see the contents of my weekender as I am packing (FOLDING IS KEY) and the final product.  Everything fits in my bag except my sneakers and that’s just because, instead of a traditional pair of converses, I wanted to be prepared for this weekend’s possible improptu basketball game which could happen at any time with fraternity brothers like mine.   But anyway, happy traveling.

My weekender, filled with everything I need for a comfortable 2 full days out of town

Sources: The Art of Manliness, Cool Material, and About.

Men’s Essentials 2.0

Great infographic I found a while back on Pinterest.  I’ve got everything mentioned except the gloves and some of the coats.  Those things will be this summer’s goals.  (Hint: Buying them during the summer b/c everything is less off-season).