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By justBurbank.com | March,2008
Don’t kid yourself. At first glance, we Californians may be a little more casually dressed then some of those buttoned-up types on the East Coast. But scrape that tanned surface just a little and you’ll find a fashion consciousness that rivals the most ruthless, Paris-based couturier.
In Southern California it’s all about “The Look”. However, no matter how much of a “fashionista” you are, not all looks are okay at the office:
- Even in sunny California, sandals are a no-no and dress shoes should be shined.
- Another basic rule: be neat and clean, no shirts pulled out of the corner in the morning, no sweaters with makeup stains and no frayed jeans, at least until you get the lay of the land in your particular company.
- Keep the piercings, tattoos and pink hair for weekends or to a minimum. It might be very cool on your date, but maybe not so much to a prospective client.
- Wear clothes that fit well and get suits tailored if needed.
- Find a great hair salon/barbershop, get to know your stylist and stick with a good one.
- Sometimes, you might have to let them tell you what looks good, and don’t get stuck in a look associated with a particular decade, that’s deadly.
- If you wear make-up, keep it professional and simple. Remember the anti-blue eye shadow campaign? Well, they’re still right about that one.
- Firm handshakes can still make a good first impression with neatly trimmed or polished fingernails. For both women and men, err on the side of conservative.
- You are not trying to meet the man/woman of your dreams, you are doing business. Low-cut blouses are distracting and not always in a good way. Men with open shirts and gold chains send the same message, “kinda dumb, kinda sleezy, don’t-do-business-with this-pinhead.”
- If it’s cool outside, wear a classy coat. A great coat or jacket goes a long way to showing you’re serious, detail-oriented and professional.
You can bend some of these rules occasionally. Just be aware that the savvy businessperson knows they can only break the rules after they are successful.
The team at www.justBurbank.com collaborates on our articles. Each employee, contributes, then Kate edits for business-appropriateness, and Libby edits to make sure the article is funny and juicy. Our aim is to write helpful & entertaining articles.
