Professional Appearance Checklist for Men
Before you leave for work or a business-related engagement, examine, along
with your best friend�a full length mirror�the overall picture you present and
the details from your head to your toe. Make the necessary changes, add or
replace accessories, and make sure your appearance and grooming are
impeccable. This daily exercise will take just a few minutes, but the benefits
are worth it. If you can check all the points, you are ready to face the
world!
 Basics
Short and clean hair; should not touch shirt collar
Hair in nose and ears are trimmed
Avoid excessive gels and lotions
Avoid facial ornaments
Avoid heavy fragrance
Clothes are clean and well-pressed
There are no buttons missing or falling hems
Nothing is torn, stained, or discolored
Dress Shirt
- No wrinkles in collar, cuffs or facing
- Collar loose enough for one finger to fit in neckline
- Collar of shirt stands one-fourth to one-half inches above collar
of suit
- Sleeve extends one-eighth to one-fourth inches below the jacket
- No short sleeves with suit jackets
Business Casual Shirt
- No wrinkles in collar, cuffs, or facing
- Well-pressed
- If buttoned, leave only first button opened
- Short sleeves at elbow
- No T-shirts (unless accepted in your organization)
- Keep colors and patterns subtle
Sweater
Crew or V-neck sweaters
Turtleneck
Vest with shirt (with or without jacket and/or tie)
No sweatshirts
Jacket
- Does not wrinkle across the back
- Length must cover buttocks--measure from collar seam to floor and divide
it in half for length
- Collar lies flat against the shirt
- Sleeve length at wrist bone
- Top-stitching is even, no loose threads
- Leather or metal buttons on sport coat only
Tie
- Ends at top of the belt line
- Width matched to lapel width
- Pattern small to medium
- No tie tack or clip
- Tie not is balanced with shirt collar
- four-in-hand knot with most collars
Pants
- Just breaking in the front
- If uncuffed, tapered toward the back
- Fall straight from buttocks
- Fit above stomach
- Pockets remain flat, no bulging
- Well pressed
Shoes
Highly polished (if
leather)
Oxfords and suede must be cleaned
The best quality you can afford
Dark color: black, cordovan or brown
Thin or medium soles
Tie or slip-on and tassel loafers for suits and sport coats
Penny loafers or loafers with low vamp for business casual only
Avoid boots
Sneakers clean and good condition (if accepted in your organization)
No sandals or clogs
Socks
Always wear socks
Color blends with pants and shoes
Subtle patterns that resemble solid from a distance
Argyles for business causal only
Long enough to cover calf; no skin showing
Briefcase
- The best quality you can afford
- Leather only, hard or soft
- No molded plastic or metal
- Discreet combination lock
Jewelry
- No bracelets, chains or fancy rings
- No earrings
- No heavy sport watches or calculators
- Simple and elegant are best choices
- Gold , silver or leather strap
- Cuff links simple, small size; no fancy or clear stones for daytime
- Silver-toned cuff links with silver watch; gold toned with gold watch
Other Accessories
- Pocket square that complements tie, never identical to it
- No tinted glasses
- Braces in neutral color, or to complement tie, jacket or shirt
- No clip-on suspenders for business
- Never wear braces with belt
- Simple, classic leather belt design
- No large or ornate belt buckles
- Belt color matches shoes
- Belt must be in good
condition
An impeccable professional image earns you respect and provides you with a
competitive edge. Quickly checking these points on a daily basis will help you
to sustain a consistent and engaging visual impression.
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Professional Dress
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