1. How to Dress to Impress:
A Guide to Professional
Success
Christina Bourgeois
Director, Undergraduate Professional Communication
Program
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
WECE Workshop Series
September 8, 2011

2. Definition of
pro·fes·sion·al
• a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a
profession
• b : engaged in one of the learned
professions
• c : characterized by or conforming to the
technical or ethical standards of a
profession; exhibiting a courteous,

3. What’s Not
Professional
A Head-to-Toe Look at
What Not to Wear

4. Too Much Make-up

5. Extreme Hair:
Style and Color Matter
Highlights should look
natural
Rainbow brite
is never a
good idea
Too long

6. Too Much Frangrance
Avoid heavy perfumes
and body odor

7. Over
Accessorizing

8. Ill-Fitting Clothes

9. Tattoos and
Body Piercings

10. Clothing
That is Too
Revealing

11. Workout Gear
and Beach Wear

13. Fine for “Going Out”
NOT for Going to Work
Too revealing
Too short
Denim is
too casual
Too high

14. What IS
Professional
Attire?

16. Women’s Business Formal
• Suit (pants or skirt)
o Fitted top and bottom
o Dark colors (navy blue/black/gray)
• Shoes
o Closed-toe
o Polished, well-maintained
• Hygeine
o Always wear deodorant
o Maintain fresh breath
o Nails should be trimmed; polish should be clear or
natural tone

17. What Business Formal
Looks Like

18. Business Casual
• Skirts and Dresses
o No shorter than 2” above the knee
o Must be able to sit comfortably in public
o Nothing tight, mid-thigh
• Slacks and Pants
o Cotton, linen, or blends
o No shorts, jeans, athletic wear
• Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets
o Sweaters, turtlenecks, sweater sets
o No sleeveless, midriff, halter, or graphic t-shirts
• Shoes
o Flats, dress heels
o No flip flops, sandals, open-toe, or strappy heels

19. What Business Casual Looks
Like Conservative,
Conservative
shirts/tops
muted make up
Low heeled
shoes

20. What Professional Looks
Like

21. Examples of
Professional Attire

22. Professional
Hairstyles

27. Pop
Quiz
Are these
women
dressed
professionally
?

28. Sleeveless
Too low
Too short
Too long
Too high

29. Questions?