Working Life > Business Clothing > Business Dress for Men

Business Dress for Men

Definition, Explanation

Success in business does not only depend on performance and competences, but is also influenced by factors like appropriate manners and complying the general as well as the gender-specific dress code. Some carreers end already in the application interview if the applicant is dressed negligently or does not fit into the dressing ideas of the company.

A neat physical appearance is obligatory in every occupation. Even the beard is a divisive element of fashion and is unusual in some lines of occupation, in certain levels of the hierarchy. A no-go in the world of business are generally the „three-days-old beard“ and the „half-day-old beard“. Rules of special strictness govern the outer appearance in the sectors of banking, insurances, and in renowned consulting firms. Even combinations like a blazer with gray trousers do not fit in, here. Rather, the expected is the suit with a tie and black shoes, in line with the classical „informal attire“.

Tips, Checklist

• Prefer classical clothing. Fashion-gags are appropriate only in artistic or advertising professions.
• Get advice when buying your clothes in special shops and assure, above all, a good fit.
• When compiling your clothing, take care of:
  • Suit, dark
    The least chance of doing wrong is wearing a dark suit, whether single- or double-breasted, with or without a waistcoat (vest). It is the universal dress for many kinds of occasions. Usual coulours available are anthracite, midnight blue and black. The proper accessoires are a plain white shirt and a decent tie, perhaps a pocket silk in the upper welt pocket, black socks and black, smooth leather shoes. The choice if to take single- or double-breasted is subject to fashion changes and personal preference, too. Double-breasted suits shape the wearer more compact and thus are less advisable to men of short height
  • Bermudas
    Things that have absolutely no place in business are short pants or Bermuda suits
  • Blazer
    On semi-offical occasions, you can pick the blazer or a combination. Over the shirt, in such situations, you can also wear a thin v-neck slipover under the jacket
  • Pocket silk
    The pocket silk or pocket square enhances the suit. Have it match the shirt and tie! It is often sold in a set with these
  • Shirt
    The classic shirt with the very official business suit has been and will be plain white with turn-down collar and double-button cufflinks. Slight deviations in the tone of coulour are accepted as well, like light blue and light beige, whereas strong coulours or patterns, sport cufflinks or collar forms like button-down, tab or pin-collar rather belong to semi-official business apparel. The collar of the shirt should be always visible about half an inch above the jacket. Cufflinks should be close to the sleeve and should sit at least half an inch outside the jacket sleeve. Polo shirts are no alternative to the regular shirt but count as leisure time wear
  • Trousers
    Take care of a good fit and the right length. The length is right if the leg of the trousers touches the shoe, being slightly bent
  • Cuffless trousers should have the bottom edge slightly descending towards the heel, which makes the trousers a little longer at the backside. Cuffed trousers can be a little shorter
• Even in the heat of summer, a jacket is worn. Only when your host, or boss, takes of his jacket, you can follow him in this
• Once you stand up, close the buttons of the jacket
• Ties should end at the belt buckle. Extravagant ties with comics, wild patterns, knit-ties or leather ties are not business-like
• Wear classic, neat black shoes
• Avoid sports socks. Socks should colour-match the trousers and shoes, be unicoloured and cover the skin of your calves
• Accepted jewellery are a watch, cufflinks and maximally two rings

Last update: 06/02/2010