"Dress for Success" Tips
DRESS FOR SUCCESS - FOR WOMEN 
The Jewelry
• Seven pieces of jewelry maximum – count gold or jeweled buttons as jewelry
• One earring per ear – should be small, not dangling
• Watch – dress, not sports
The Hosiery
• Neutral colors only: taupe, off black, navy, off white – avoid textures
The Suit
• A business suit – matching jacket and skirt – is most appropriate – is preferable to a dress
• Pant suits may be acceptable; however, if you are not sure, wear a skirt and jacket suit.
• Should be conservative color – solid or small pattern – black, navy, gray, brown, taupe
• Should fit – not too tight or too loose; avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily, such as linen
• Blouse should be conservative to medium color – not bright color
• No short skirts – hem should be longer than mid-thigh!
The Shoes
• Closed toe ONLY! No sandals – even those with heels
• Heels 1½ inches to 2 ½ inches high - conservative colors only – no gold, silver, red, etc.
• No “spiked” heels – should be comfortable for walking
The Purse
• Carry either a purse or briefcase – but not both – should be neutral color
• A nice portfolio containing a note pad and extra copies of your resume may be carried with purse
The Make-up/Hair
• Less is more
• Go easy on the blush, eyeshadow and lipstick
• Wear little or no perfume
• If hair is longer than shoulder length, wear pulled back from face
DRESS FOR SUCCESS - FOR MEN
The Jewelry
• Less is more
• Wedding band/watch is sufficient
• Small and simple cuff links are acceptable
The Socks
• Nice, thick material; dark, solid or small pattern
• Long enough to hide leg hair when legs are crossed
The Suit
• Generally in business environments, a suit is more appropriate. However, research the company/organization to determine most appropriate dress.
• Expensive is not necessarily better in terms of a suit – should be proper fit, however!
• Wool at least 55%; medium to dark colors, solids or conservative stripes
• Jacket length: should pass “finger curl test”
• Tip of jacket sleeve should fall 5 inches above tip of thumb when thumb is extended down
• Shirt: pastels, solids, and conservative stripes are acceptable
• Shirt sleeve: should extend one half inch below jacket sleeve edge
The Shoes
• Should be leather; should be lace-up; should shine, shine!
The Tie
• Small, repetitive pattern or solid – no “theme” ties (e.g., “Tabasco”)
• End of tie should touch top of belt - should contain loop in which to insert small end of tie
The Other
• Carry nice portfolio containing a note pad and extra copies of your resume; carry nice pen
• Wristwatch should be dress, not sports
• Use aftershave sparingly – and no cologne