How to Dress Up – A Style Guide for Any Occasion

The Importance of Proper Attire

Want to know how to dress for different social situations? Appropriate dressing means dressing with the occasion in mind. Years ago, we had a defined code such as suits and jackets for work and we dressed up for all occasions such as going to the theater and dinner parties. The code is still there but the guidelines are blurred and confusing. Here we attempt to give some guidelines.

Sending the Right Message

One useful personal goal when deciding how to dress is to determine what message you would like to project, suitable for your personal and professional role as well as the occasion. In addition, you should ensure that you are comfortable, feel great, and are confident about the way you look.

With the guidelines of the situation in mind, make sure your attire makes statements about you that you intend and meets the expectations of your audience. Don’t leave it to chance!

Boosting your Confidence

Dressing the part and looking good play a more powerful role than we may imagine. In fact, studies have shown that a good appearance boosts confidence, which in turn plays an important role in helping you make a good first impression. Choosing proper attire for different functions will make you feel confident about your look: a factor that will help you capture the attention of your audience, communicate effectively and express your personality. Confidence will also ensure that you maintain eye contact and the right posture for positive perceptions.

Creating Status

There is no doubt that people judge us by the clothes we wear. Based on your dressing, you can increase your perceived status among your peers. People are also likely to pay attention to what you are saying if you are dressed appropriately for the function or event. Whether it is an interview, political campaign, television show, business meeting, or social event, proper attire can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

The Role of Grooming

Excellent grooming is the single element of dressing that is noticed and judged first. The message created seems to translate in people’s minds that the best groomed among us have high attention to detail in other areas. Sloppy dressers, it appears are judged poorly compared to their neat colleagues. This may not true or course but nevertheless the perception is so important that it’s worth paying attention to your clothing details. For men and women alike, these are the details that studies show are important to them.

• Hair cut is current and well designed
• Clothing is pristine not creased or soiled
• Collars are pressed and perky
• Nails are clean and well -manicured
• Clothing colors coordinate, fabric is lively not shiny or threadbare
• Shoes are clean and well repaired
• People smell clean and wholesome. Others may be allergic to heavy aftershave and perfume
• Clothing fits and sits well on the body. No tugging, pulling, clinging or hanging
• For women: makeup is light, manicure colors are normal, no butterflies, no roots show, no heavy lip gloss
• For men: hair, facial, ear and nose hair are short and neat, personal hygiene details are attended to

How to Dress

Different social situations often require different attire. Here are our recommendations:

Public Speaking

When speaking publicly, dress in a suit or jacket. It will lend you credibility and authority. An audience pays more attention and gives credence to your words if you are in the jacket, which is the quintessentially professional piece of clothing. As an example, in most airlines, the pilot is required to wear his jacket when addressing a member of the public.

Weddings

When choosing appropriate attire for a wedding, you should be guided by the invitation, the season and the hour. In the US guests normally consider a wedding to be a dress-up affair to honor the happy couple. For women, short dresses and light-colored suits or trouser suits for the day; long skirts or long day dresses are fine if the dress code is more casual. Deeper shades, more formal fabrics, and long dresses are good for the evening. Gentlemen choose your look depending on the formality of the occasion. Suits, sportscoats or blazers and evening suits are always correct. Check if tuxedos are expected.

Cocktail Party

Fashionable short dresses, trouser suits, boleros and pashminas in lovely shades and prints are great choices for a cocktail party. Avoid very low-cut clothing for work or even social events if you want the attention to be on your face and on what you are saying. Stay away from clingy fabrics, scarves that slide around and noisy or long swinging jewelry.

Business Dinner

For a business dinner or a company party, you should maintain the culture of the office. Ladies, you can never go wrong with a little black dress. Other styles of dresses are also good choices; suits and trouser suits with a camisole, heels, and earrings change the character of a workaday look. Avoid wearing jeans, anything very casual or very provocative. Men have it easier. You can’t go wrong with the suit and tie or blazer and tie. No tie is required if the dress code is business casual.

Job Interview

When going for a job interview, you can never go wrong with dressing in a navy suit. This kind of dressing will tell the interviewer that you are seriously interested in the position.

Religious Ceremony

Honor the religious ceremony with classic clothing like a suit or dress and jacket or knee-length coat. The formality of the occasion requires formal clothing.

Funeral

If you are in mourning in the US, you do not have to wear a black outfit. However, your appearance has to be respectful and reflect the somberness of the event. Dark shades are more appropriate than light and simple classic styles will not offend anyone.

Dates, Meeting In-Laws, and School Social Functions

For dates, the first meeting with your in-laws, or any kind of school function, you will need to create a good first impression. Surprise your date and schoolmates by ditching the jeans for once and wearing a dress or another kind of unpredictable outfit. The in-laws will appreciate it if you make an effort, so wear something dressed up.

Consider Hiring an Image Consultant

Dressing appropriately for different social situations is not always as easy as it sounds. If you have difficulties selecting the right attire or do not want to take risks with your appearance, you should consider hiring an image consultant. A professional will not only instruct you on the most appropriate outfits for the occasion or event but can also help you improve your communication skills and behavior.

If you would like to train others, learn more about personal branding and improve your image, you should consider taking an image consulting course. London Image Institute offers image consultant training courses via campuses in Atlanta, London, Singapore, and India. As an institution that is committed to helping people find the courage and freedom to flourish professionally and personally, this is one of the best places to jump-start your career as a professional image consultant. Contact us today for more information on the institution and our training programs!