Men's Dressing Rules

Men's dressing rules have become much more flexible in recent years, and while the advantages and disadvantages of this phenomenon can be argued, most will agree that this new level of flexibility has lessened the stress men used to feel when getting dressed.

Men's dressing rules have evolved over recent years, and one of the main underlying reasons for this was the tremendous uptick in wealth during the late 1990's, and very early 2000's. Prior to this era, it look a much longer time to acquire wealth; the consequence of which was that appearing "professional" was of the utmost importance.

However, as loyalty to one company, outsourcing, and quick wealth (much of it via the real estate market and investment banking) become the new norm, so too did "causal Friday's". So what about today? What are the new rules for getting dressed? Consider the following:

These factors and questions will help you dress appropriately for work:

• What Field Do You Work In?: Much of the way one dresses for work depends on the field you are working in. Traditionally, the "creative fields" allow for more freedom; you won't raise too many eyebrows if you are not wearing a tie. However, if you work in a field that's associated with the business side of things, you may want to continue dressing professionally.

• Take a Cue from Supervisors: This means that even if everybody else in your department is showing up in Mickey Mouse T shirts, if your boss is wearing a tie, then you should be too. This is not necessarily a bad thing; some supervisors skip the tie and just wear a dress shirt and slacks, and that's easy enough to emulate.

• Is Your Job in Jeopardy?: Along with dressing like your supervisors and colleagues, ask yourself, "Is my job in jeopardy?" If there is even a hint that you may lose your job, dress professionally, every day, but don't go overboard (if your boss doesn't wear a tie, you shouldn't either). However, make sure that your clothes are neatly pressed, and freshly laundered (showing up to work early won't hurt either!).

Whether single and actively looking for love or happily married, and stepping out with your spouse, more likely than not, you'll want to look nice. Don't worry though, this doesn't mean that you have to be uncomfortable. Instead:

• Match the Surrounding: If you are going to a fancy restaurant, call ahead and ask if its jacket required. If yes, a nice sports coat and a crisp shirt will do fine. On the other hand, if you are headed to the park, obviously you'll want to be comfortable and blend into your surroundings.

• Take Cues From Your Date: If you have no idea where you will be going, take your cues from your date. If your date is in jeans, there's a pretty good chance that you showing up in the same will be fine.

Playtime, like just relaxing, heading to the movies with friends, going to brunch, etc, is truly your time, so use this opportunity to express yourself. Whatever you feel most comfortable in, whether its jeans and a T shirt, or a tweed jacket and jeans, wear it! Take this time to show off your personality, and to play by your own rules. After all, no one owns this time, but you, so make the most of it!

Some other men's dressing rules worth noting include:

• Matching: Matching is not necessary, except if you are wearing a suit (jackets should match pants). In all other cases, it's perfectly acceptable to wear shades within the same color family.

• Cleanliness: No matter what you happen to be wearing, if you plan on leaving your home at all, make sure that whatever you are wearing is clean. After all, even the most professional looking outfit will fall flat if it's dirty.

• Wear Clothing That Fits: No matter what you decide to put on, make sure that it fits you well. Outfits that fit- that are not too tight- tend to look best on everyone.

The key factor to keep in mind is that the "rules" of the past has relaxed quite a bit in recent years, but that doesn't mean that you should show up in something that is not appropriate for the occasion in which you are attending. The best thing to do is to wear clothes that are within the same color family, but this doesn't mean that you can't express your personality or creativity. In fact, the best time to do so is when at "play" or running errands. This way, you're sure to have the best of both worlds.

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