Workwear for men can be dull especially if you’re adhering to a strict office dress code! But, with a bit of creativity and smart dress sense, you can still look stylish and professional in the workplace. When considering your office wardrobe, taking note of stylish details can turn your workwear from drab to modish without overstepping any boundaries.
Want to discover what you can do to improve your workwear appearance while still fitting in with the organisation’s dress code policy! Whether it’s corporate or less formal workwear men can change their office style by using these tips.
Workwear for Men: 3 Tips to Looking Stylish in the Office
1. Start With the Basics
If you’re putting together items for your office workwear, start with the basics. This way, you have a foundation on which to build your wardrobe, over time. Let’s go from the bottom upwards:
- Shoes: Buy good quality office shoes that look smart and have minimal details. Oxfords and Derby’s are classical but stylish without being flashy. They look good with all types of clothing.
- Trousers: If you’re not required to wear suits to the office, add some well-cut chinos to your workwear collection. Go with cotton and wool blend fabrics for comfort, smartness and durability.
- Shirts: Oxford shirts are the best style to begin with. It’s smart but modern at the same time. Only use polo shirts if your company uses this style as part of their uniform.
- Jumpers and cardigans: Lightweight fabrics are great for layering with this clothing item. Opt for a crew neck for a more professional and stylish look.
- Jackets and coats: Depending on how formal your office dress code is, you can pick a more relaxed fit for a stylish appearance. This means jackets and coats that don’t have any lining or padding. Opt for styles that have less rather than more details such as pockets, buttons and zips.
The secret to selecting the right basics is going with good quality materials, a good cut and fewer details. Understatement is often more elegant than going over the top!
2. Colour
Picking the right colours for your office workwear is crucial if you want to maintain a look of professionalism and panache in the workplace. While bright and funky Hawaiian shirts is your weekend style, toning down is recommended in the office!
When picking workwear for men, be selective about the colours:
- Shoes should always be in black or brown.
- Beige and khaki is acceptable in most workplaces nowadays for chinos.
- Formal colours such as navy and black are the norm for corporate bottoms and jackets but they also work well with most colours worn on top. Charcoal grey is another option though not always popular.
- You can’t go wrong with the classical white shirt.
- Note that chambray shirts in indigo blue is a popular choice for office style as is the micropatterned shirt in subtle colours. Both look good on most men.
3. Cut and Fit
Well-designed clothing should fit properly and suit your body shape. This means taking note of the cut when trying on trousers, shirts, jackets and jumpers or cardigans.
Trousers
Focus on the rise of trousers and make sure your pants fit properly, whether you’re sitting or standing. Trousers should sit naturally and comfortably on the hip without being tight in the crotch region. Avoid tapered legs at all costs!
Shirts
Shirts must fit neatly with the shoulder seams sitting on the edge of your shoulders. If the seam goes over the shoulders, you’ll end up looking sloppy. Make sure the fabric doesn’t bunch at your waist. Raise your arms up and down to ensure the shirt moves freely, whether you’re sitting or standing, without popping a button or pulling out of your trousers.
Jackets
Apply the same shoulder-seam rule of shirts to jackets and coats. Sleeves should stop at your wrist and not halfway up your arm or on your fingers! When closed, make sure your jacket fits comfortably without pulling across your chest or waist.
Other Quick Tips for Stylish Men Workwear
Here are some quick tips to take note of for keeping stylish in the workplace:
- For long-lasting, quality shoes look for designs that include the Goodyear welt.
- Have more than one pair of office shoes so you can rotate them regularly to avoid too much wear and tear.
- Low rise pants make your legs look shorter!
- Avoid wearing jeans in the workplace even if they are from a designer label.
- Wool and viscose blend is a durable material for sweaters.
- De-pill those pesky small balls on jumpers and pullovers using a sharp razor.
- Never wear a two-buttoned jacket with both buttons done up. Only use the top button.
- Always fasten the middle button of a three-button suit. Never the bottom button.
Final Thoughts
By using these simple tips, you can look stylish in the office while complying with most dress codes. You can also add a dash of personality through items such as belts, socks and headwear without raising eyebrows from senior management! By getting the basics right, you can earn a reputation of best dressed in the office and impress clients and bosses alike!
