Menswear ? Putting Together A Business Wardrobe - Part 2

Here's the second installment of the "Menswear" series, on adding dress shirts to your professional wardrobe. Let's go guys!

Dress shirts come in a lot of different styles, fabrics and colors. Your choices should reflect not only your coloring (cool or warm) but your business field (banking vs. advertising, real estate vs. entrepreneurial, etc).

Here's a couple of rules of thumb: first, purchase 100% cotton whenever possible. They feel great against your skin (important, since you'll have them on for 8 ? 10 hours a day), and can be laundered and pressed / ironed either at home or professionally.

If you're not handy with an iron (and gentlemen, you really SHOULD be), or want to avoid the expense of professional cleaning, you can also opt for "no-iron" or "wrinkle resistant" shirts. The cotton fabric of these type of shirts is treated to resist wrinkles, but you'll pay approximately $15 ? 20 extra per shirt for the convenience. They'll only need a light touch with an iron after cleaning instead of a firmer hand.

Second, unless you see your supervisor or other managers wearing short sleeves, keep your purchases to long-sleeved shirts only. Remember, dress for the job you want, not the one you've got. Short sleeves are seen as more casual, and you almost never see and executive with short sleeves on his dress shirt!

You'll need 6 ? 8 dress shirts to start with, so that you'll have a couple of days leeway in case you can't get your laundry done (or get your shirts from the cleaners). If you work in a company where senior management dresses conservatively (banking, insurance, legal profession, etc) then plan on sticking to basics.

If you are in a client-oriented profession (real estate, financing, etc), then take your cues from your clients to a certain extent, and stick with basic dress shirts here as well.

To add some variety, you can add a pinstripe in a color compatible with your coloring (white with blue pinstripes, for example if your coloring is cool, white with red or yellow, perhaps tan or brown for a warmer-toned man).

Spread collars are currently popular, though traditional straight collars are always acceptable. Button-down collars have been popular in the past, but are now seen as more casual, therefore not 100% suitable for some more conservative professions.

If you want to express yourself a bit more within a conservative environment, you can choose a pinstripe shirt with a white contrasting collar and cuffs, or choose French cuffs (that require cufflinks) for a dressed-up traditional look.

If your work environment allows you to go beyond basic, look for a variety of patterns and colors. Those in the advertising or other creative professions have a wider choice of fabrics, and could select stripes, patterns or plaids (currently popular in gingham, glen plaids and tattersall plaids).

Choose patterns and colors that compliment your build (wide patterns are to be avoided on more strongly-built men), your coloring (warm or cool), and the shape of your face.

About the Author: Dianne M. Daniels is an Image & Color Coach, Consultant and Professional Speaker, and the author/publisher of "Polish & Presence: 31 Days to a New Image". She has helped individuals refine and define their personal and professional image, along with corporations and organizations. Learn how to create your Personal Climate for Personal and Professional Success at http://www.imageandcolor.com

---

Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Disposable Color Contacts - Are They Any Good?

The days when color contacts were unbelievably expensive are long... Read More

Stylish Messenger Bags

Messenger bags are not only an ideal way to transport... Read More

Fashionable Clothing That You Choose

Clothing encompasses a wide range of apparel. From big and... Read More

Rabbit Jewelry: A Sign of Refinement

There is a certain delight that comes with the sight... Read More

How You Can Be The New It Girl

I was reading an Instyle magazine article featuring Sharon Stone.... Read More

Sterling Silver Jewelry -- Classic Simplicity

Sterling silver jewelry is synonymous with class and style in... Read More

Fruity Fashion Picks & Tricks for Summer

Summer is here so it's time to freshen up that... Read More

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Whether we like it or not current trends in engagement... Read More

Fashion Trends for Fall 2005

The overall theme of fashion for Fall 2005 is an... Read More

Handbag and Purse Trends 2005

Handbags are becoming the most popular fashion accessory on the... Read More

The Marc Jacobs Handbag is a Reflection of Style and Sophistication

The Marc Jacobs handbag is a reflection of style and... Read More

Dolphin Jewelry Promotes Environmental Awareness

"And when the day comes that we can communicate intelligently... Read More

Earrings The Ultimate Fashion Statement

Earrings are an important part of every woman's wardrobe, whether... Read More

What to Wear: Summer Dressing in a Business Environment

Choosing appropriate clothing for the business environment can be challenging... Read More

The Royal Blue Contact Lens Really Stands Out

Have you always wanted to have sparkling baby blues but... Read More

Kate and Laura Mulleavy

If you've been following the fashion scene, by now you've... Read More

A Couture Fashion

Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture... Read More

Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses: Wild, and Practical Too

As a contact lens wearer, if you have searched the... Read More

History of Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry

Back to the era of the Hawaiian monarchy, the origin... Read More

The Charming Narciso Rodriguez

Narciso Rodriguez was born in New Jersey in 1961 to... Read More

Anne Klein ? the Past and the Future Extraordinaire!

Fashion designer Anne Klein was born Hannah Golofski in New... Read More

Stylin? Safety Glasses Are Hot to Look At

What do you think of when you hear the words... Read More

Turquoise Necklace Facts and Beliefs

'Pieces of sky.' That's how turquoise was called by some... Read More

Does Your Watch Keep Time with Fashion or Function?

If you haven't lived under a rock for the past... Read More

The Truth About Platinum

Is platinum a new metal? After all, in the... Read More