You only get one chance to make a first impression, so choose your attire wisely! This is especially important for young professionals looking to enter the corporate world. If you wear the right clothes and groom yourself appropriately, you'll present yourself as being confident and punctual. But if you pay little-to-no attention to your attire, you'll present yourself as someone who doesn't care about the way he looks. So, if you want to start your career off on the right foot, consider the following wardrobe essentials for young professionals.
Blazer
Why do you need a blazer? Well, there's been a growing trend towards "business casual" attire in the modern workplace. While some companies continue to follow the traditional suit-and-tire dress code, others are taking a more lax approach by allowing workers to wear business casual attire. Business casual blends elements of casual and formal attire to achieve a comfortable yet still business-like impression. And while you can achieve a business causal look using any number of clothes, a blazer is an excellent choice. Blazers aren't as dressy as suit jackets, but they are still more formal than sports coats, making them ideal for a business casual outfit.
Leather Oxford
Don't forget to wear the right shoes with your business casual outfit. For this look, many professional stylists recommend leather oxfords. The subtle, classic look of leather is sure to compliment your appearance, while keeping you comfortable all day long. You can find leather oxfords available in countless colors and styles, though traditional brown/tan is usually the most versatile. Assuming you aren't wearing black -- brown and black don't mix -- you can wear brown leather oxfords to compliment your business casual outfit.
Slim Necktie
We can't talk about must-have wardrobe items for young professionals without mentioning a slim necktie. Again, you can find neckties available in countless styles, though slim has become a popular choice because of its ability to create a slimmer appearance. The narrow design elongates your body, making you appear slimmer and taller. When choosing a necktie, though, it's important to color the color, fabric and other quality of construction. A good rule of thumb is to choose a necktie in a color that contrasts to the color of your shirt, preferably in a darker tone. Neckties are also available in many different fabrics, the most common of which are silk and cotton. A cotton necktie is better worn for occasions during which you'll be outside, as it's naturally protected from water/moisture damage. A silk necktie, however, is preferred for indoor use because of its shiny appearance. These are just a few things to consider when choosing a necktie for use in the professional world.
Fitted Suit
When wearing a suit to the office, make sure it's fitted for your body shape and size. If your suit is too big, it will create the "clothes hanger" effect, in which it appears to hang off your body like a clothes hanger (not attractive). No two men have the exact same body, making it difficult to find the perfect fit. You can spend countless hours scouring the local department stores, only to walk away empty-handed. If this sounds familiar, consider ordering a suit here at
StudioSuits. When ordering, you can specify your own body measurements, which we'll use to customize your suit so it fits perfectly. There's no need to take your suit to the tailor, as we perform all the necessary customizations for sizing.
Leather Messenger Bag
A high-quality leather messenger bag is another wardrobe essential that young professionals shouldn't overlook. Once you hit the corporate world, it's time to let go your backpack. While effective for carrying stuff, backpacks lack any sense of fashion. On the contrary, a backpack can hurt your appearance. To avoid this problem, it's recommended that you choose a more professional-looking travel bag, such as a leather messenger bag. Using it, you can store and transport items such as your laptop, documents, notebooks, etc. The key thing to remember, however, is that a leather messenger bag is also a fashion item; therefore, you should choose one to match your outfit. Brown and black all-leather messenger bags are excellent choices, though it's recommended to choose a color that matches your current outfit. If you're wearing a black suit, stick with a black messenger bag. If you're wearing a brown or tan suit, choose a brown messenger bag -- you get the idea.
Cufflinks
If you plan on wearing a suit -- and the suit doesn't have built-in buttons -- you'll need to wear cufflinks to secure the wrists. Cufflinks are available in dozens of different materials and styles, some of which include pearl, stainless steel, gold and silver. With that said, you should wear cufflinks if your shirt doesn't have buttons.
Wristwatch
Another essential accessory for young professionals is a wristwatch. In the past, a wristwatch is a staple item worn by nearly every man. With the advent of the smartphone, however, they've become less common. Nonetheless, a wristwatch is still a must-have accessory for young professionals, as it offers both functional and aesthetic benefits. It allows you to keep track of time while also adding new color and style to your outfit. Whether you choose a fabric or metallic band, you should compliment your outfit with a matching wristwatch.
Chinos
Unless you're wearing a complete 3-piece suit, you should avoid wearing suit trousers due to their overly dressy appearance. However, khakis typically lack the necessary formality for the workplace, which is why chinos are recommended. Chinos are more formal than khakis but still less formal than suit trousers. You can wear them to achieve an attractive business casual appearance for the workplace. Now that you know which items you need to include in your wardrobe, head over to our store and start shopping!
