Wardrobe is very important. How you move in your clothing and how you wear it are very crucial. The clothes you wear must be immaculate, well-pressed and spotless. For more such innovative content on management studies, join WeSchool PGDM-DLP Program: http://bit.ly/DistanceLearningSldShr Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/welearnindia Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeLearnIndia Read our latest blog at: http://welearnindia.wordpress.com Subscribe to our Slideshare Channel: http://www.slideshare.net/welingkarDLP

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CHAPTER-04
BUSINESS WARDROBE
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BUSINESS WARDROBE
Wardrobe is very, very important. How you move in your clothing and how you wear it
are crucial. There is even an 8 to 20% variation in entry level salary received based
on personal appearance.
The clothes you wear must be immaculate, well pressed and spotless.
General
When planning your wardrobe you must ensure that what you wear suits you and is
appropriate. When in doubt, dress conservatively.
White shirts are more formal than coloured shirts. Pale colored shirts are more formal
than bold or bright colors. Solid colors are more formal than patterned.
Ties, shoes and socks should match the clothes you wear. Socks should match the
color of your trouser and extend above the trouser when seated.
Women’s accessories should compliment their clothes and be tasteful.
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Business Men
To a great extent the clothes that one wears will depend on the age of the person and the position that he
holds and where he works. The key focus is to be properly and appropriately dressed.
An accountant or a banker may wear pinstripes or dark suits whereas an advertising person may wear more
casual attire. In software companies, most individuals come in jeans or other very casual clothes. A
management trainee up to a middle rung executive should wear a dress shirt, well-tailored trousers and a
tie. More senior executive should wear a dress shirt, well-tailored trousers and a tie. More senior
executives should wear formal suits that are appropriate to a business environment. The one wear not
appropriate in a business environment is jeans.
Shirt collars should preferably be the standard or the button down. Cuffs can be singular or double and should
extend beyond the jacket sleeve for smartness. One should wear tasteful cufflinks whenever possible.
Trousers should be well cut and in dark colors. Your tie reflects your individuality. It should reach up to the
belt (if one wears one) or to the waistline. The width of the tie should harmonize with the width of your
suit lapels. Belts should match the trouser. They can be either black leather or dark brown. The general
rule is that brown shoes should be worn with brown clothes. Black shoes are to be worn with all others.
Avoid white shoes. Shoes should be clean and well polished. Buy the best you can afford.
Your briefcase should be leather.
Wear a good watch that reflects your personality.
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Remember
1. When wearing a suit the two lapels and both shoulders should line up.
2. If you have too many things in your trouser or coat, it will not hang well. Keep as little as possible.
3. There should not be extra material between the shoulder and the waist.
4. Trouser legs should not be cut too wide for your frame.
5. Armholes should not be cut too deep.
6. Sit down and move your arms to check for comfort and fit.
7. the length of the jacket should be shorter than the middle knuckle of the thumb.
8. Trouser hem lines should reach the shoe and then break by folding inwards. They should conceal the first
few laces of a laced shoe.
9. With regard to accessories have a good writing instrument, belt, wallet and cufflinks.
Business Women
Women have a large variety of clothes to choose from – from business suits to ethnic ware. What they wear
and how they wear it will determine how they are perceived.
Senior executives should wear either sarees or a business suit comprising of a jacket, shirt and skirt.
Middle executives should wear either sarees or a business suit comprising of a jacket, shirt and skirt or a salwar
kurtas.
Junior executives should wear either sarees or a business ensemble comprising of a shirt and skirt.
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A trouser is considered too casual
Wear colours that suit you. Avoid loud bright colours. Jewelry should be subtle. Buy the best foot wear and
handbags you can afford. Choose a leather briefcase that has a feminine look. Always choose good hosiery.
Smart Casual
Men
The classic smart casual in the western world for men is a blazer with a white shirt and a grey or dark trouser
with a sporting tie. In the tropics a light colored short sleeved shirt, smart trousers and good shoes
complete the ensemble.
Smart casual for women can be sarees, salwar kurtas, blouses and skirts or pant suits. All these would be
conservative not dressy. Skirts should not be too short.
Traditionally on Saturdays, dressing down days and holidays people go to office in casuals. The casual clothes
one wears should be that which the person would feel comfortable in wearing in a smart restaurant.
Client Party
This is an opoortunity to meet clients in an informal setting to bond with them and strengthen relationships. I
would suggest formal attire – the clothes you wear to the office.
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Office Party
To an office parties wear what would be appropriate to the event – at a beach party – beachwear
is acceptable, on a sportswear will be the right wear, dining at a person’s house or in a
restaurant conventional attire would be expected.
Formal
Formal clothes are more applicable abroad.
There are two types of formal occasions – black tie events and white tie events.
Black tie
Black tie events are charity events, theatre openings, dinners and balls.
Men are expected to wear:
• A dark suit, white shirt, dark tie and cufflinks or
• A tuxedo with a cummerbund and a bow tie or
• A dinner jacket
• Black shoes and black socks
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Women would wear:
• A formal (silk) saree, salwar kurta (with zari work) or
• An evening gown in muted colors with a wrap
• A small handbag
• Shoes (if a gown is worn)
White tie
A white tie is for the more formal event. These are inaugural balls, fund raisers and to meet heads of
government.
Men would wear:
• A tailcoat
• While bow tie
• White tuxedo
• White cummerbund
• Black shoes and socks
Women would wear:
• Silk saree
• Silk salwar kurta with heavy embroidery
• Long evening dress (floor length)
• Fabric shoes
• Gloves
• Wrap
• Small handbag
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What you wear should be immaculate, stylish and appropriate to your image, your status, your location, the
weather, your body shape, your personality and your aspirations.
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