THE
SINGAPOREAN MAN’S GUIDE TO DRESSING WELL FOR WORK
Is it true that when you dress better, you work better?
We think so, and most likely your bosses do as well. After all,
studies have shown that people who dress well in the office are
given more responsibility and are shown more respect.
The hard truth is, people will always judge you
for your appearance, especially when it comes to first
impressions. You never know when you might run into a future
employer, potential client, or even the love of your life in the
course of work, so it’s better to dress well and
appropriately.
Here are 8 guidelines on what to wear – and what not to
wear – at the office so as to make the best impression on
everyone around you.
1. Understand Your Industry
Photo: Maurizio Pesce
Unless you’re Mark Zuckerberg or working in the
creative industry, you probably can’t get away with wearing
t-shirts and jeans to the office everyday (even then, there are
guidelines such as no shorts or no tank tops). In a corporate or
office environment, it’s important to dress sharp and clean,
for you never know when an important meeting may occur. When in
doubt, look at the people around your office to find someone to
imitate.
2. Make Sure It Fits
Basically, if you feel that your clothes are too big or
too small, it doesn’t fit and it won’t look good. Baggy dress
shirts and too-long trousers are the main culprits here. The thing
about off-the-rack items are that they won’t fit someone who’s too
tall, too short, too pudgy, or too skinny. Even then, there’s bound
to be several aspects (such as sleeve length and trouser rise) that
doesn’t sit quite right.
3. Style Your Hair
Nothing says “I don’t have my life together” like
unkempt hair. For most hairstyles, get a trim and
shave every few weeks or so, and keep it up – or down – with
some gel, wax, or pomade. Also, never leave your house with wet
hair, which makes you look like you woke up late that morning.
4. Bag and Accessories
Is your briefcase torn or tattered? Unless it seems
salvageable, toss it and get a new one. Make sure it’s always
zipped or closed, unless you want the whole world to see your
personal items. Keep it clean inside, in case anyone sneaks a peek.
The same goes for wallets and cardholders. And if you really must
use a backpack (“STUDENT”), please don’t get one of those intended
for outdoor sports use.
5. Maintain Your Shoes
One way to tell the men from the boys: their
shoes. Shoe styles aside, ensure that your shoes are polished from
time to time, clean, and in good condition. If something is falling
off, it isn’t difficult to find a cobbler around Singapore. Loafers
are less formal than Oxford lace-ups and Derbys, so don’t wear them
to an important meeting.
6. Choose The Right Watch
The watch you wear speaks volumes about your
status, or so we’ve heard. That said, we’re not asking everyone to
a year’s salary into a Jaeger-LeCoultre . Even a cheaper
quartz-movement Casio or Seiko can look professional when paired
correctly. The fewer details and cleaner a watch is, the more
elegant and classy it looks. And please, no G-shocks at a corporate
office.
7. Richer Colours
Walk along the CBD on a weekday and you’ll see endless
seas of white, light blue, and purple shirts with black
trousers. Pay attention to your colour choices and liven up your
outfit with both light and dark colours (incidentally, darker tones
make a stronger impression) to stand out from your peers. You
should probably avoid neon or overly flashy tones though. You can
also play with the colours and prints of your socks (no ankle
socks!)
8. Trim That Facial Hair
If you’re Asian, and are lucky enough to be able to
grow a beard or moustache, appreciate and respect it. While having
no facial hair is the most professional, a little bit of hair might
work for you, depending on your face shape and features. Find other
people with similar features and experiment with that look and
haircut, making sure to trim it with scissors or a razor every few
days. But please, no goatees.
Tailored Solutions
Ultimately, we believe that every man should invest in
a few perfectly fitting shirts, trousers, and at least one good
suit (read our guide on buying
a suit). For that, it is better to go to a professional
tailor who can advice you on the best styles, colours, and make
them for you. Here are a few that we can recommend:
The Prestigious
Founded by Master Tailor and former President of the
Singapore Master Tailor Association, Thomas Wong, The Prestigious
crafts bespoke clothing to exacting standards, with every piece
completed in their Boat Quay home. Employing fabrics from the
world’s best houses – including Thomas Mason and Grandi &
Rubinelli – your shirt, trousers, or suit is made by tailors who
has gone through years of training under the master himself. The
retail premise also stocks shoes, clothing care products, and books
on how to dress well.
Prices start from: $150 for a
shirt and $1200 for a suit
The Prestigious is
located 62B Boat Quay Road, Singapore 049850, p. 6705 6708.
Open Mon 2pm – 6pm, Tue-Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat 10am –
5pm.
CYC The Custom Shop
Established way back in 1935, CYC was one of the first
shops to offer custom-tailored shirts in Singapore. Since then,
they’ve been tailoring everything from tuxedo shirts and suits for
weddings to dress shirts and trousers for the workplace. Plus, they
have a large range of accessories that include ties, cufflinks, bow
ties, belts, pocket squares, and even suspenders. A fine attention
to detail and the best fabrics from Europe and Japan is what makes
CYC so awesome.
Prices start from: $135 for a
shirt, $190 for a pair of trousers, and $788 for a suit
CYC The Custom
Shop is located at Raffles Hotel Arcade, Orchardgateway,
and Republic Plaza II. Click here for
individual store opening hours.
Of course, appearances aren’t everything, but it pays
to understand how dressing and grooming well can go leaps into
helping you succeed. It might sound superficial, but welcome to the
First World.