What to Wear in the Workplace: Dressing Post-Grad

Dressing for a professional setting can be difficult, especially for postgraduates just entering the workforce. Millikin provides options that can make the transition easier. One of the many events hosted by the Student Success Center (SSC) is “Dress to Impress.” Each semester on the first floor of the University Commons (UC) building, students are able to make a selection of one full business attire outfit from a large selection of clothes, accessories, and shoes. The people facilitating are also there  to help you compose an appropriate outfit.

If you can’t make it to the event, or if you need an outfit sooner, there is another great option for students that the SSC also facilitates. On the third floor of the UC, room 336, there is a career closet with acceptable business attire. The closet is open Monday through Friday from 8AM-4PM. If you want advice when choosing, schedule an appointment with Max Monroe or Lindy Taylor. But it is important to note that appointments are optional. Just stop by the SSC, in room 312, and someone will help you. 

When choosing work-appropriate outfits, it is important to have an understanding of the different dress codes employers will use. The four main dress codes tend to be business professional, business casusal, smart casual, or casual. While there can be some categories in between, these are the main four. Read below to get an idea for each.

Business professional:

• Typically found in government, finance, and law.

• Keywords: Dressed up, traditional

• Basics

  • Keep it simple. Colors should be brown, black, navy, or grey.

  • The suit and tie look is the most common, whether that be pant suits or skirt suits, but suit jackets should match the bottoms.

  • Button-down shirts should always be tucked in.

  •  Can include accessories like a necktie or bowtie, but keep them simple.

• Tips

  • Dry clean business professional outfits once every four to five wears. Do not wash, washing kills a suit—in order for them to last, stick to dry cleaning. 

    • Click here to see how to dry clean at home!

  •  If you are on a budget, keep it simple. Have one or two suits and build around them; you can mix and match different shirts and ties with the same suit. 

Business casual:

• Typically found in media and marketing firms, nonprofits, or in education.

• Keywords: polished, comfortable

• Basics

  • A little more freedom than business professional wear.

  • Can incorporate professional dresses, skirts, or dress pants. Business casual can also include professional shirts like polos or sweaters.

  • Neckties are typically optional accessories.

• Tips

  •  Buy timeless pieces and use them to mix and match outfits.

  • Can incorporate some prints/patterns or colors.

Smart Casual:

• Typically found in tech companies or start-ups.

• Keywords: dressed down, neat

• Basics

  • Dark denim is allowed.

  • Shirts can be untucked.

• Tips

  • Use your current wardrobe and dress it up.

  • This dress code can be more difficult to understand; look at your coworkers and see what liberties they take. Try to follow along with what others tend to wear.

Causal:

• Typically found at small companies, in the arts, or tech companies.

• Keywords: comfortable, informal.

• Basics

  • Use discretion but still lean conservative in your dressing.

  • Avoid flip flops, baseball caps, and athleisure.

• Tips

  • Dressing in casual wear can be an opportunity to stand out in a positive way; if you shoot for more “smart casual,” you may be seen as going above and beyond.

 At the end of the day, if you are still confused, refer to the dress code given to you by your employers, look at your coworkers, try to match the surrounding workplace, and always ask questions if you are really confused. Remember, it is better to present more formally than not be dressed formally enough.

For more information visit The Ultimate Guide to Workplace Dresscodes.