How to Dress for Success

Co-authored by Joanne Gruber

Last Updated: July 9, 2022 References

Dressing for success can help you feel confident and ready to tackle the world. Whether you’re attending an interview or assembling a daily wardrobe, dressing for the occasion is key. In addition to choosing appropriate outfits, always make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free. If your wardrobe needs an upgrade and you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry! Dressing for success doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, so have patience and build your collection gradually.

This article is based on an interview with our professional stylist, Joanne Gruber, owner of The Closet Stylist. Check out the full interview here.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dressing Appropriately for the Occasion

1
Familiarize yourself with the setting’s dress code. Whether you’re starting a new job or attending an event, find out how other people will be dressed in advance.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} Ask an employee about a company’s culture, drive by their office to see what people are wearing, or look for photographs on their social media pages. If you’re planning your outfit for an event, consult the host or check the invitation for information on the dress code.^{[2]
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- If you're not sure about a dress code, it’s always better to be overdressed, especially in professional settings.
2
Wear formal attire to interviews, presentations, and important meetings. For a masculine look, stick with a neutral, navy or gray suit, white collared shirt, and a plain tie (no bold, eccentric patterns or graphics). Feminine business formal choices include a pant suit or skirt suit with a white or light-colored blouse.^{[3]
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- Coordinate your dress shoes with your belt, which should always be worn with masculine outfits. If you wear a tie, it should just barely cover your belt buckle.
- Heels should be less than 2 ¹⁄₂ inches (6.4 cm), and skirts should be no shorter 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the knee.
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3
Pair a button-up with dress pants or a skirt for a business casual look. While business formal attire is best for job interviews and important occasions, business casual is usually the day-to-day dress code. Definitions vary by company and industry, but typical outfits include khakis with a collared shirt, a blouse with dress slacks or a skirt, and a knee-length dress.^{[4]
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- Since business casual is more relaxed, patterned shirts and blouses are acceptable. Sweaters and vests are also appropriate.
- Ties are preferred in industries such as finance and law. Creative fields, such as advertising and entertainment, on the other hand, usually enjoy more flexibility. Even neat, dark denim is acceptable in some settings.
Tip: If you want to stand out from the crowd, follow the “plus one” rule and add a bit of formality to your look. For example, if most people in your office wear collared shirts, add a blazer to elevate your outfit. If most of your coworkers wear blazers, take you style to the next level and wear a suit.^{[5]
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4
Put together neat, presentable casual outfits.^{[6]
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Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 July 2019.} You should still dress for success at low-key social events and when you’re out running errands.^{[7]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} For instance, pair well-fitting, dark jeans with a crisp tee or polo, or hit the town in a stylish sundress.^{[8]
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- When you’re out and about, avoid wearing tattered tee shirts, sweatpants, and baggy jeans and shorts.
- It's okay to wear athletic clothing when you hit the gym or go for a run. Just make sure they fit well, are clean, and presentable.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Polishing Your Look

1
Practice healthy grooming habits. In addition to dressing your best, make sure you’re neat, tidy, and well-groomed. Shower, wear deodorant, and brush and floss your teeth to ensure you smell fresh. Keep your hair well-kempt, and trim and clean your nails. If you choose to paint them and will be in a professional setting, go with a plain, light-colored polish.^{[9]
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- While you should smell fresh, it’s best to avoid wearing strong-smelling cologne or perfume in professional settings. Additionally, keep your breath fresh with mints instead of chewing gum, which comes off as unprofessional.
2
Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free. Press your clothes with an iron, and avoid leaving the house with a wrinkled outfit. Check your clothes for stains, missing buttons, and tattered hems, and polish away any scuffs in your shoes. It’s also wise to run a lint brush over your clothes, especially if you have a pet.
- It doesn’t matter how well-dressed you are if your clothes are dirty or wrinkled.
3
Add personality and color with accessories.^{[10]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} Neutral colors, such as navy, gray, and black, are typically preferred in professional settings, but there are still opportunities to liven up your attire. Ties, pocket squares, scarves, and other accessories are great ways to add pops of color to your outfits.^{[11]
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- For instance, an orange pocket square or tie would stand out nicely against a navy suit.
- Watches, cufflinks, simple jewelry, and other smaller accessories can also help complete your look.^{[12]
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Tip: Accessorize to add personality, but don’t go overboard, especially in formal settings. Additionally, it’s best to avoid wearing large or dangling jewelry, a bulky handbag, or heavy makeup.^{[13]
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4
Tailor your clothes whenever possible.^{[14]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} When it comes to a polished look, nothing beats neat clothes that fit perfectly. You can buy a super expensive suit, but it’ll look cheap if it doesn’t fit well. Likewise, having an inexpensive garment tailored can make it look high-end.^{[15]
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- If you’re on a limited budget, start by tailoring a suit and, if possible, at least 1 or 2 collared shirts. That way, you can put your best foot forward at interviews and other formal occasions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Building Your Wardrobe on a Budget

1
Choose items in neutral colors that you can mix and match. To start, focus on putting together a collection of 5 to 10 collared shirts and at least 5 dress bottoms (including slacks and skirts). Instead of purchasing trendy or wildly patterned garments, choose simple, timeless, and easy-to-match items.^{[16]
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Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 July 2019.}^{[17]
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- For instance, slacks, shirts, and skirts in navy, gray, beige, black, and white are better choices that polka-dot blouses and neon green jeans.
Upgrade gradually: Don’t feel like you have splurge on an entire new wardrobe overnight. Try to find some wiggle room in your budget, save money where you can, and add to your closet bit by bit.
2
Shop at discount retailers, thrift stores, and consignment shops. It may take some digging, but you can often find gently used, quality items at discount and second-hand shops. Stores in affluent areas are especially great for bargain hunting.^{[18]
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- Try to find out when a store stocks the shelves, and visit it on those days to search through the new inventory.
- Find steals and deals, but go for quality over quantity. Invest in well-made items that will last for years instead of garments that will fall apart in a matter of months.
3
Hunt for end-of-season deals. In addition to shopping second-hand, look for end-of-season sales at brand name stores and outlets. If you wait a few months and shop for clothes at the end of a season, you can often find items discounted by 50% off or more.^{[19]
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- Again, the key is to end-of-season shopping is to choose pieces that will stand the test of time. A simple, white collared shirt or blouse won't go out of style next season. On the other hand, wild patterns, ruffles, and other trendy details may not be so fashionable next year.
4
Take care of your clothes so they last longer. With proper care, well-made clothes can last for years.^{[20]
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Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 July 2019.} Wash your clothes according to the tags’ instructions, and hang or fold them promptly to help preserve the fabric.^{[21]
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- Try to keep machine drying to a minimum, especially for dress shirts and slacks. Instead, hang your garments and allow them to air dry.
- As for stains, dabbing any spots with cold water and, if necessary, mild detergent, often does the trick, provided you attack the stain within a few minutes. The one exception is ink, which should be treated with alcohol instead of water.
5
Invest in a versatile suit for formal occasions. You might need to splurge on a good, well-tailored suit, but it's definitely worth the expense.^{[22]
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Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 July 2019.} Choose a solid, neutral color instead of pinstripes, patterns, and flashy colors. Navy or gray are good options, as they’re more versatile and stylish than black.^{[23]
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- A suit may be one of the priciest items in your wardrobe, but you can get plenty of use out of it. In addition to wearing it to interviews and formal events, you can mix and match the jacket and pants or skirt with other garments.^{[24]
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  Joanne Gruber
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 July 2019.}

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I dress more fashionably?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

For style inspiration, find photos on Instagram, Pinterest, or in magazines. Notice how each outfit aligns or if there are any common elements among all the inspiration photos. Think of how you can bring those elements that you like into your own wardrobe. As a basic rule of thumb, a nice pair of shoes will always take you a long way.