Workplace Dress Codes

Style 101 for Young Men In my early years as a senior banker, I noticed that young men in the bank needed some guidance on dressing up. I often saw them wearing orange or red shirts with black ties, and black shirts with silver ties. I recalled the time when I was clueless, and took it upon myself to write this guide: 1. If you want to play it safe, wear light-colored plain shirts white, pink and blue. Try white collars and cuffs. Other shirt colors (orange, red, etc.) are tricky. 2. Ties should generally have a darker shade than the shirt. Put a dimple on your tie knot. Avoid the black or gray shirt with light tie combo unless you moonlight for a steak restaurant or a band. 3. Striped ties are better with plain shirts. But if you feel bold and want to wear a striped shirt, the tie stripes should be wider than the shirt stripes. And they should share a similar color. 4. If you are wearing a bold shirt, like a checkered one, wear a plain, sober tie. 5. Wear dark socks that match your pants. If you feel adventurous and want to wear colored socks, do not wear a patterned shirt or striped suit. They will clash. 6. The belt should match your shoes. Don't use a brown belt with black shoes. Better yet, don’t wear a belt at all, like Korean actors. I usually don’t. 7. Wear brown, tan, or burgundy shoes only with pale or navy blue suits. For suits in midnight blue and dark grey, pick dark chocolate brown shoes. Never wear brown shoes with black or near black suits. 8. The coat and pants should match unless you are wearing a blazer or sports coat (more business casual). If you wear a blue blazer, wear gray or khaki pants, avoid blue or black. Contrast is key. 9. The tie should reach the upper part of the belt and not go lower than the buckle. 10. Leave the lower coat button unbuttoned. Do not button everything. Only JFK and preschool boys are exempted from this rule. 11. Show some shirt sleeve, about half an inch, when wearing a coat. If more than an inch shows, have the shirt altered. 12. Slim cut is preferred, and flat front without pleats. Pants should not be too long, with only one break (wrinkle) and not much cloth hanging around the shoes. 13. Finally, if your suit is new, cut the threads from the pocket openings and the vents. You can’t imagine how many times I had to cut the vent threads from new suits of younger bankers. Have it dry-cleaned, especially if the tailor’s chalk marks are showing. One lady CEO still reminds me of the time I pointed out the chalk marks in her blazer. She was just new in the bank then. When having your first suit made, pick navy blue. Next, medium gray. They match most shirts. Then black for special events. Do pinstripes later. Find a good tailor and make him your friend for life. My shirtmaker has done work for my father, my brothers, my sons and nephews. But my suit cutter recently retired and migrated to Canada. (Reposted, per request)

Over the last two years, I’ve been intentional about improving my personal style for professional appearances. Working with a stylist during that time has taught me that looking put-together is less about trends and more about small, repeatable habits. Here are a few practical principles I’ve learned, and how to apply them: 1. Controlled hair + minimal makeup: keep hair pulled back, neatly shaped, or with the ends tucked in (especially with buns or natural styles). Keep makeup clean and restrained — groomed brows, even skin, light definition. 2. Deliberate accessories: choose one metal and make it your default. In my case, I prefer gold because it best accentuates my skin tone. A thin bracelet, simple studs, or small hoops are usually enough. 3. Moisturized skin: keep oil, lotion, or cream on standby. Hands, elbows, feet, and visible areas should never look dry. I treat this as part of grooming, not beauty. 4. Polished lips: carry a clear or nude gloss/balm and reapply before meetings, photos, or recordings. Small detail, noticeable difference. 5. Reliable staples: invest in structured basics you can restyle across multiple looks. Change accessories and shoes instead of rebuilding outfits each time. If you’re refining your personal style, keep this as a quick reference the next time you’re putting a professional look together.

For the longest time, I questioned why our appearance should dictate our credibility as professionals. Shouldn’t our expertise, intellect, and hard work be enough? And then, Sylvia Ann Hewlett burst my bubble. Executive presence isn’t just about looking good, it’s about inspiring confidence. It’s about showing up in a way that signals long-term reliability, competence, and influence. It’s not about dressing in brands; it’s about dressing the room. Think of it like this, ever walked into a room where someone’s attire was completely out of sync with the environment? A tech startup CEO in an ultra-formal three-piece suit at a brainstorming session might feel out of place, just like a financial analyst in sneakers and a hoodie at an investor meeting. Neither is “wrong,” but both have missed an opportunity to align their presence with their audience’s expectations. Our visual presence is the first handshake before we even speak. In a marketing agency buzzing with creativity, casuals might scream “I get this space.” But step into a high-stakes boardroom with industry leaders, and business formals say, “I understand the gravity of this conversation.” The trick? Authenticity with Adaptability. You don’t need to dilute your personality, but you do need to be mindful of the visual signals you send. As a leadership consultant, I encourage professionals to ask themselves before any critical meeting: • Who is my audience? • What message do I want to send? • How do they expect me to show up? Executive presence isn’t about a rigid dress code, it’s about strategic alignment. It’s about dressing in a way that ensures your presence commands attention, respect, and trust. Your expertise is your foundation, but your presence is your amplifier. Dress authentically while respecting the decorum of the room you step into. In doing so, you won’t just be seen, you’ll be remembered. So, the next time you stand before your closet, don’t just pick an outfit. Choose your presence. #ExecutivePresence #DressingTheRoom #NyraLeadershipConsulting

Most women in leadership do not have a confidence problem. They have a strategy problem. Because highly intelligent women do not feel safe operating randomly. And yet when it comes to personal style, so many women are still relying on: random shopping random trends random outfits random Pinterest inspiration and random advice from the internet. Then they wonder why getting dressed creates anxiety instead of confidence. Why every outfit feels like: “Am I trying too hard?” “Is this too much?” “Do I look ridiculous?” “Are people judging me?” This is exactly why executive presence and personal branding matter so much more than people realize. Because when women build a Style Code, everything becomes intentional. You understand: ✔ what colors work on YOU ✔ how to wear color strategically ✔ what silhouettes create authority ✔ what proportions flatter your body ✔ how to create visual contrast intentionally ✔ what makes you memorable ✔ and how to build a recognizable leadership presence without feeling performative That is what creates safety. Because your wardrobe no longer feels random. It becomes: methodical strategic aligned and built around the woman you already are professionally. And honestly? That is the difference between: randomly wearing pink one day and hoping nobody judges you… versus understanding exactly how to use color, presence, and personal brand intentionally. This is why women in leadership do not need more clothes. They need structure. That is exactly what we build inside The Style Code. Comment CODE to learn more

If a Fortune 500 CFO called me 12 days before her IPO roadshow, here's the framework I'd run. Because this is the kind of ask I get — and the timeline is always too short. Here's what I'd do: 1. One uniform. Not 15 outfits. For a 10-city roadshow, variety is a liability. Repetition builds recognition. 2. One color story across every look Navy, gray, one accent. No surprises for the brain — hers or theirs. 3. Fabric that photographs Wool crepe and silk-wool blends. Nothing that shines under investor-deck lighting. 4. Shoes that survive 14-hour days Two pairs, rotated. Leather, structured, under 2.5 inches. Your feet are on stage too. 5. A jacket that fits across a boardroom table Not a conference-room table. A boardroom table. The difference is 3 inches of sleeve and where the shoulder sits. The goal wouldn't be to look like "a CFO." The goal would be that no investor remembers what she wore. Just what she said. That's the difference between dressing for the job and dressing for the outcome. P.S. CFOs, founders, GMs — what's the next big room you need to walk into? #ExecutivePresence #IPO #WardrobeStrategy

15 years ago, I stepped into a styling studio for the first time. The moment that changed everything. Since then, I’ve worked with celebrities, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs—helping them dress like the powerhouses they are. But you don’t have years to figure this out on your own. So here are my 7 biggest styling lessons: 1. Fit is 90% of your outfit. Nothing looks expensive if it doesn’t fit. Period. Most people focus on “outfit combinations” first. Big mistake. First, make sure your clothes fit impeccably. Then, add personality. 2. Wear contrast to command attention. I teach this to every single client. Contrast—whether in color, texture, or style—instantly elevates your look and makes your presence impossible to ignore. 3. Details cut the boredom. Piping, ruffles, trims—small details make a big difference. The right details take an outfit from forgettable to striking. 4. A polished wardrobe is 100% strategic shopping. Instead of shopping when you need something, fill in the blanks ahead of time. What’s missing from your closet? Basics? Statement pieces? Edit first, shop second. 5. Add texture. Make your outfit interesting. Plain is fine. But texture adds dimension and depth. It’s the difference between looking nice and looking intentional. 6. Build your wardrobe for your life—not a checklist. Forget capsule wardrobes. They don’t work. Your wardrobe should fit your lifestyle. That’s the only way you’ll actually wear it all. 7. Always ask: "What am I dressing for?" Not "What should I wear?" Dressing with purpose is everything. Working from the couch? Cozy sweatpants + a knit sweater. Attending a conference? A bold blouse + tailored slacks. When you dress for the occasion, you always look right. Your wardrobe should be your secret weapon, not an afterthought. When it's intentional and strategic, it speaks for you before you even say a word. ----------------------------------------------------- Hi, I’m Basia, an ex-celebrity stylist turned personal stylist for professional women and entrepreneurs! I believe that every woman deserves to feel confident and empowered in her clothes the moment she steps into any room. The first step? Grab your Elevated Work Style Guide and learn how to dress professionally without relying on black suits and gray dresses. Here is the link: www.dress4impact.com