Men’s Fashion: Office Clothing Tips for Men

Whether you're fashion-phobic or simply need some helpful advice for organising your professional wardrobe, a few office clothing tips for men never hurt. It's always a good idea to have some information on hand in case you have a job interview, an important meeting, or simply want to make a good impression at the office.

The Basics

When shopping for your office wardrobe, keep in mind that everything is subject to the dress code. Is it informal, formal, or somewhere in the middle? You'll be able to narrow down your options to a few key pieces based on this information. In general, the Indian men at home wear kurta pajama or handloom lungi at home for comfort but the office attire is on the formal side of the spectrum, if not completely dressy, then polished and crisp. At the very least, clothes should be pressed, ties should be worn (generally), and shoes should be spotless.

Office Essentials

Despite the fact that professional wardrobes differ from one office to the next, there are a few key pieces that tend to define the traditional work wardrobe. The following are the office clothing essentials you should have:

Suits are, of course, required whether you work in an office or not. It's a good idea to have at least one or two crisp, single-breasted suits on hand because they'll come in handy on a variety of occasions throughout your adult life. Look for styles with two buttons and classic colours - black is inherently timeless, but grey and navy also complement work wardrobes nicely.

Even if you already have a couple of suits, you should have at least one blazer. It provides you with additional options if you need something different to pair with your khaki pants or a different coloured dress shirt. As always, neutrals are best and avoid ostentatious fabrics (no velvet, please) that aren't appropriate for professional settings.

Even if you own a couple of suits, you must wear pants. Mix and match these with a variety of blazers and dress shirts. For spring and summer wear, choose a couple of dark pairs - black or charcoal are ideal - and at least one pair of khakis.

Shirts over cotton vests are also necessary. Of course, you'll need one to go with your suit, but a basic dress shirt (or two) can be worn in a variety of other situations as well. Again, stick to neutrals - white or light blue are always a safe bet. If you choose a print, you can also use subtle pinstripes.

Sweaters become your best friends as the weather cools. Vests aren't bulky, so they fit well beneath a suit jacket; look for neutral or dark colours that are appropriate for professional settings. Typically, you can get away with wearing a hunter green sweater and a grey suit (both stylistically and professionally speaking). Long-sleeve pullover sweaters are ideal for more casual settings, but avoid prints and bright colours.

Helpful Office Clothing Tips for Men

The little things, in addition to what you wear, make a big difference in the impression you make. These practical office clothing tips for men will ensure that you always look the part:

Avoid wearing patterned or white socks. Stick to neutrals like black or brown, and make sure the colour of your socks matches the colour of your shoe.

Wear a white undershirt or cotton vest beneath your dress shirt.

Don't forget to bring your belt. In most cases, it should match the shoes and be as simple as possible (this means avoiding oversize buckles and any other type of embellishments).

Ties give you more freedom than any other part of your outfit. Choose a colourful, printed style that complements your suit, but avoid outlandish, bold styles in traditional workplaces. You might be able to get away with something brighter if you work in the creative industry.

Take your cues from employees who have been with the company for a long time. You should dress similarly to them if you want to blend in (the office is not the place to start making fashion statements).