Does your job require you to follow a dress code? Many companies set dress codes for practical reasons. Dress codes can help to display branding, they may help to add a level of formality or they may have health and safety benefits. Whilst they can often be advantageous to the company, some people resent dress codes because they take away a certain level personal freedom.
However, most people don’t realize even the strictest of uniforms often still have a level of leeway when it comes to personalization. Even if your company demands wearing a black suit and tie, there may be other ways of accessorizing your outfit that make you feel more in command of your appearance for those forty hours a week. Here are just a few ways that you can add your own personal touch to a dress code.
Use pops of color
Some companies have strict rules when it comes to wearing certain colors. Boardroom attire for example is traditionally black and white only. However, there may still be ways that you can add pops of color.
Men can often use their tie to add a pop of color. For women, the handbag can be the secret weapon. If you’re not confined to black shoes, you could even get matchy-matchy with your handbag and shoes for a bigger pop of color. Other features such as watch straps, glasses frames, fingernail varnish, bracelets and even socks can also be used to add pops of color.
Color can have practical psychological motives in business. Red is a powerful color that can add a sense of authority and energy – it’s ideal for sales pitches and debates. Blue is better for more calming situations meanwhile where you may want to build trust or put clients at ease.
Recently more people have been pushing the boundaries with color, experimenting with suits ranging from pink to green or using loudly colored shirts and blouses. So long as there are no written rules about what to wear and you’re still staying within the formality it doesn’t hurt to try some of these colors out.
Add a sparkle with jewelry
Jewelry may not be allowed for health and safety reasons in some jobs in which you may be working with food or machinery. However, in other roles, it can often be a great accessory for personalizing your dress code.
Obviously, you may want to stay away from anything too blingy. Thin bracelets that don’t rattle and necklaces that don’t have large pendants are acceptable in most environments – feel free to mix metals and play with gemstones. You may even be able to push the boundaries with earrings.
Men can also wear jewelry, even with a suit on. For example, you may even be able to get creative with cufflinks. The likes of https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/ has some great novelty cufflinks to choose from. Badges and tie pins can also be experimented with.
Some jewelry may be worn for religious purposes. In most cases, an employer will allow this jewelry, although it can be a controversial matter for others.
Wear a watch
Wearing a wristwatch to work can make you seem like you’re organized and a good timekeeper. It can also be a great opportunity to express yourself. Wristwatches come in all kinds of styles – some people even have a selection of watches to wear throughout the week. As with jewelry, certain job that deal with machinery and food may ask that you remove your watch, although in most professions it isn’t a problem (wearing a watch may even be encouraged).
Step up your footwear
You may only be able to wear black shoes or work boots, but there’s a whole diversity of these shoes out there to choose from that could be an extra way to add some personal fashion sense.
In an office environment, women have a range of shoes to choose from. Pumps may be the classic choice, but there are also sandals and d’orsay flats and espadrilles and ankle boots to choose from. Men meanwhile have options such as brogues, loafers, desert boots and Chelsea boots. There are even trainers out there for men and women that cross the boundary into acceptably formal territory.
When it comes to work boots meanwhile, there are also different styles out there which can still offer the practicalities needed. Sites like https://www.engelbert-strauss.co.uk have a great selection to choose from for men and women.
Get it in the bag
Bags are also excellent ways to stylize your outfit. As mentioned earlier, the handbag is the secret weapon when it comes to women’s accessories. Cream faux-leather handbags can match any formality, whilst quilted leather can also be effective. You can color co-ordinate your handbag with your shoes or nails. You can even accessories your handbag – tying a scarf around the handle or adding a keychain can give it a whole new look.
As for men’s bags, there are also lots of options here from leather satchels to backpacks with in-built portable chargers. You could even go classic with a leather briefcase – modern briefcases are now designed to fit laptops in.
Stylize your specs
If you need to wear glasses, these may be another opportunity to add your own personal touch. Don’t just stick to the basic frames – it’s possible to get away with many of wackiest glasses with the right amount of confidence. Even if you don’t need glasses, this doesn’t mean you can’t still give them a go. Glasses do add a sense of intellect – whilst clear-framed glasses have become renowned for being worn by hipsters, they can help some people feel more confidently knowledgeable when trying give a seminar or teach a class.
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Glam up your gadgets
You can also turn your personal gadgets into fashion statements. A funky case for your smartphone or tablet could help to bring some style to business interactions. Sites like https://www.mywoodenshop.com/ have some great wooden cases for these items, even including cases for hard-drives. Engraved steel cases meanwhile may be able to add some extra personalization.
Have fun with flowers
Flowers aren’t just an accessory for weddings – you may be able to wear them to work for a cheery touch that could even help you to be more endearing to clients. You could wear a flower in your hair – this is best placed near the ear. This may be too hippy-ish for some formal work environments, although you may still be able to wear a flower on your suit’s lapel. Picking the right type of flower is key – sites like https://www.xojane.com/ have a more in depth guide to wearing flowers.
Use seasonal accessories
Each season also brings its own fashion accessories. Even if you can’t wear these in the workplace, they could help you to stay stylish as you commute. For example, in the winter you can try out jackets and scarves. You may also be able to make use of hats and umbrellas. Meanwhile, in the summer you can try out your best pair of shades and even try wearing a summer scarf.
Know the boundaries
Whist many jobs with dress codes will allow these accessories and statement pieces, it’s important to know the boundaries. Going too casual in a formal environment could start to anger your employer, who may see it as a way of challenging the company ideals. You may want to ask permission if you’re not sure about a certain accessory or fashion aspect. This will show that you’re not trying to be rebellious by wearing a certain item of clothing and that you respect your employer’s rules.
Alternatively, if you disagree with part of the dress code, you may be able to argue your case with your employer as to why you should be able to wear that particular clothing. This may be harder when working for massive corporations in which the rules are set by someone high up the chain and far away, however if the employer you directly report to sets the rules, there’s no reason why you can’t discuss the dress code with them. There may even be some aspects of your uniform that you find discriminatory or sexist such as having to cover up tattoos, being forced to wear heels, having to wear a short skirt or not being able to wear religious items.
Most employers will respect their employees’ wishes and be willing to relax a dress code if it’s what everyone wants. It’s possible that the job field may have once been more formal than it is now (fewer companies are opting for boardroom attire nowadays) and they may simply have not moved with the times. By arguing that your formal dress code could be having a negative effect on the relationship you have with clients, you may be able to convince an employer to loosen up the clothing rules.
How do you push the dress code envelope?
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