How to Dress Professionally

How you dress heavily impacts people's perception of you. A sharp dresser communicates that they pay attention to detail and have self respect, while a sloppy dresser does just the opposite. Employers and clients will look to see how you take care of yourself to get a idea of how you will take care of them in a business relationship. The following post contains highlights from GQ's Guide to Dress Shirts and Shirting, a necessary tool for any guy wanting to appear employable. I encourage you to read the full article -- multiple times-- and then go update your wardrobe. Remember, if you look good, you feel good; confidence is key; and dress for success.

Photo: Paola Kudacki

The GQ Guide to Shirting

Think of Your Dress Shirt as Your Bulletproof Vest

It's the first thing you put on and your last line of defense. When you button it up in the morning, you should feel confident, in control, even invincible. Seriously, putting on a crisp, clean shirt that fits perfectly makes you feel like you're the boss. But here's the thing: A dress shirt is not any old shirt—there are a lot of details to get right, from the collar to the cuffs to the cut of the torso. All that said, buying the right dress shirt isn't quantum physics. You can find it at your local mall just as surely as at the fanciest, priciest, most fashionable store on Madison Avenue. You just have to understand the following principles.

• Know what size shirt you wear. Get measured.

• Always buy a fitted dress shirt—even if you're not model skinny.

• When in doubt, go with a semispread collar. It works with everything.

• Unbutton and unpress your oxford—it's cooler that way.

• Inject some personality into your workwear—try a plaid or gingham dress shirt. And pair either one with a dark tie.

• Be a man: Wear a pink dress shirt to the office.

• Get some attitude: Unbutton your shirt cuffs.

• Don't settle for a limp collar. Use stays.

• Learn to wash and iron your own shirts. You'll save cash and ensure quality care

Read More http://www.gq.com/style/style-manual/201204/shirts-guide-sizing-fit#ixzz1vnrLRPhc