In my attempt at humor (but with an underlying truth), I thought an article about men’s fashion was the right thing to do on Recruiting Blogs after the somewhat ridiculous response that took place after the article about workplace fashion for women.

I think that the way someone presents themselves is extremely important when trying to find a job or coming into work. Having a little bit of personality is great; maybe some men like wearing that bright yellow tie or that suite that is a little bit too baggy. Ultimately, no one is that critical when it comes to men’s fashion, and I think most would agree that there is also no reason to be that critical about women’s fashion. In most cases, whether you’re a man or a woman, small fashion choices outside the box are noticed for a quick second and then it’s over.

Men’s Questionable Workplace Fashion Choices

However, there are those fashion choices that have a “look at me” reaction that is a bit inappropriate in the work place. In my opinion, any outfit that is distracting and takes away from productivity is inappropriate. So are females the only ones who can make this faux pas? Absolutely not. Below are some outfit faux pas that many men are found guilty of in the workplace:

• Too Tight – Many men choose to wear outfits that are a bit too tight. You might have a lot of muscles, but this can be distracting to the women in the office. It’s best to show off those muscles at the gym or the beach and keep them hidden at work.
• Too Casual – You want to stay away from rips in your jeans and baseball caps. Believe it or not, this is distracting in a different kind of way. The way you look is a reflection of your company, and it’s distracting to know that someone might be giving your company a bad reputation through an outfit. For example, if an important client is coming to see you, you might feel uncomfortable if there person next to you is wearing a T-Shirt.

The most important thing you can do is follow the dress code at your new company. If the dress code says you can wear a T-Shirt, by all means guys, wear a T-Shirt. It’s simply something to consider. Get a feel for how people dress around your office so that you can ensure you remain appropriate (and avoid embarrassment later).

Isn’t This Common Sense? Why It Matters

I think the real reason articles like this exist is because fashion is getting confusing—especially for men. The workplace used to be a suit and tie, yet more and more companies are trying to create a casual look. Therefore, some men innocently take this too far. Casual for you might be showing off those great muscles, and casual for you might be wearing a baseball cap. However, this isn’t always appropriate in the workplace.

It is important that you talk with your boss about the dress code and look to see how some of your male co-workers are dressing. It’s okay to put a little bit of personality into your outfit, just make sure, no matter what age or what industry, you consider two things when getting ready in the morning: 1) Am I distracting someone from their work? 2) Am I representing the company in a way that it would want to be represented?

Why You Should Take Advice from a Woman

No, I am not going to say because I have a better fashion sense than you. The reason I think it can sometimes help to take fashion advice from the opposite sex when it comes to a work situation is because they can see things you don’t. This can be extremely awkward if done in person, so I think articles like this are a great way to throw out a few tips without personally “attacking” (yes, it could feel like an attack) one person.

For example, I might think I look perfectly fine one day, but after reading an article written by a man I may realize that those bracelets I like to wear are noisy and distracting to many men who aren’t used to the sound. Some women would get defensive and say they should be able to wear whatever they want, but it’s best to see things from the other side. If a man with rips in his jeans walked in the day he was giving a presentation to important clients, wouldn’t you feel like you should say something? Or wouldn’t you at least want to say something?

It’s hard to comprehend because for many this seems obvious. What woman would wear a low cut shirt? What man would walk into a meeting with rips in his jeans? I assure you, it happens, and I assure you, articles like this are needed.

Photo Credit: 123rf.com

Amanda DiSilvestro is a writer on topics ranging from fashion to background checks. She writes for an online resource that gives advice on topics including telemarketing to small businesses and entrepreneurs for Resource Nation.