How to Dress to Stand Out (Not Stick Out)

Gentlemen, have you ever stared despairingly at your open wardrobe and felt deeply sapped by its array of boring, uniform, black/grey or navy suits?

Or, ladies, sat in a meeting distracted by worries over the appropriateness of your outfit?

Putting together a wardrobe of elegant, contemporary and individual clothing is a day-to-day challenge, especially in a work environment.

It's dull to be always in a boring dark suit, but difficult to be too 'different' in case you're thought of as outrageous or inappropriate. However, it can be done, you can be different and I hope that I can help you to find your own style and banish some of your dark suits to the second-hand shop.

Getting the basics of good dress is similar to good business -- it's about a sensible budget and getting the team mix right. It makes sense to ask yourself whether your wardrobe is cost effective and you are making the best of every garment hanging there.

I would suggest that you put aside each month some affordable amount into a savings account strictly for your working clothes. Think of it as an investment that you are looking for a return on.

It's a good idea to have a 'working wardrobe' exclusively for your working life. The way you are dressed is the first thing people see when you walk into a room.

Your clothes reflect your brand, but they should also consistently reflect the job you want as well as job you've got. Aim for about two positions higher.

So, it's good to have a few general rules to start:

'Fit', 'fit', 'fit'. Nothing can let an outfit down more than being ill-fitting (no matter how expensive it was). Whether it's a too-tight shirt with buttons gapping on the front or rolls of those excess Christmas pounds bulging over and under the bra strap, or an oversized suit with cuffs dangling over knuckles or trouser bottoms triple folded around the ankles or dragging on the ground. Even if all you do this year is to take all those garments that need alteration to the tailor, you will have made a great start and feel more comfortable and smart.

'The Rule of Three'. (Now this will save you money) How many times have you bought an expensive suit or outfit only to find that for whatever reason it is hardly worn? Let us imagine that you have found a jacket that you simply must have. Stop. Hold it up on its hanger, look at it and very carefully ask yourself:

1. What three seasons can I wear this through? In our world of air conditioning and central heating we can wear lighter-weight clothes in our offices through most of the year, a heavy tweed might not answer that question.
2. What three events can I go to in this? Think about your working life and where you could wear this jacket â€" it should suit at least 3 occasions -- a board meeting, a client lunch, and maybe with careful accessorising, an evening event. If you can't honestly place it in all three, comfortably, then you will need to have another option at extra cost.
3. What three things do I have hanging in my wardrobe that will go with this jacket? If you can't name three or more really good matches then think again. This jacket is going to cost you extra money buying more stuff to go with it.

Create a capsule wardrobe. Effectively what the 'Rule of Three' is doing is giving you a set of questions that can save you a great deal on ill-considered purchases. What it also does is to ensure that you begin to build a really good working wardrobe which co-ordinates throughout and where you can put together several different outfits from just a few quality garments -- better known of course as a capsule wardrobe.

Many women are familiar with this concept, but for gents who don't have to be formal in their office, clever co-ordination of a selection of trousers in basic neutral shades, a couple of jackets, good quality, well-fitting shirts -- especially around the collar and stomach -- and good accessories will co-ordinate most wardrobes. All this can be enhanced by knowing what palette of colours to choose to wear to truly bring you into focus. Men can do this as much as women. Colour can be a great way to make an impact in the office and I'll focus on that in the future.

(Pic: Photomish Dan cc2.0)