Your personal image.

When you tell somebody, "How do I look?" what you're expecting them to reply with is, "You look great!" We ask because we care about how other people see us. And that caring is behind building a healthy personal image. What we wear and the way we behave doesn't only reveal our own style—it reveals the fact that we respect the occasion and the people around us.

Fashion goes out of style. Contemporary dress code isn't so much about obeying set rules. It's just about ensuring people do not feel uncomfortable around you. Expressing oneself is okay, but a considerate individual refrains from dressing in a manner that may leave others feeling embarrassed or disrespected.

What's Appropriate?

Looking right can make you feel right and as though you fit in. However, it can be tricky to determine exactly what to wear. It's fine to stand out because you dress neatly—but not because you're wearing utterly out-of-place attire for the setting. Sometimes you'll get clear dress codes for the workplace, the country club, or a formal invitation. But sometimes you will not. So you'll need to make your best guess and read the situation.

Jeans might be fine for a movie night, and dressing up for the theater makes sense. But what about dinner at a friend’s place or a charity lunch? If you’re unsure, it’s totally okay to call and ask the host what would be appropriate.

Conscious dressing also means being attuned to cultural, religious, and local sensibilities. Jeans, for example, might be fine at one place of worship but not the other. If you're not sure, it's best to inquire ahead of time what is considered respectful.

Tighten your dress to suit the occasion. A suit might be perfect when pitching an idea to a boardroom, but if you're meeting someone in a hip design firm where jeans and T-shirts are the dress code, overdressing will get your attention for all the wrong reasons. Socially, the same rule applies: a cocktail party will normally call for more formal wear than a backyard barbeque.

Grooming Matters

Taking care of yourself is just as important as dressing well. Proper grooming showcases respect for others and for yourself. You must try to be neat and clean. You will be observed when you fail to observe personal hygiene, and this can give a wrong impression.

Hair: Should be clean, neat, and well-groomed. Brush it when it needs it.

Nails: Trim them and maintain them in a clean state. If you wear nail polish, ensure it is not chipped. Don't forget about your feet if you're wearing open shoes.

Breath: Brush and floss your teeth and tongue, and don't forget to brush the tongue. Always have mints on hand. If you are still unable to overcome bad breath, try visiting a dentist or doctor.

Body Odor: Shower daily and use deodorant. If exercise is part of your day, consider freshening up before returning to work. Persistent odor might be a medical issue, so check with a doctor.

Fragrance: Use perfume or cologne lightly. A scent that lingers long after you’ve left can be overwhelming. Some workplaces even have scent-free policies. Choose lighter fragrances for daytime and save stronger ones for evenings.

Wardrobe Care

Even expensive apparel will not benefit you if they are dirty or worn. What you wear speaks volumes about you, especially when working. Ensure your attire is clean at the start of every day. Clean garments are prone to absorb scents like smoke or food, so do a smell test prior to re-clothing.

Neatness: Your clothing must be wrinkle-free, lint-free, and with all buttons intact and not tearing. Learn basic skills like ironing, repairing a button, or using a lint roller.

Shoes: Clean them and shine them. Well-maintained shoes can elevate your whole outfit to the next level.

Accessories in General

Accessories have the ability to make or ruin an outfit. The right tie, earrings, or bag can make your entire look, and the wrong ones can ruin it. Just like your clothing, accessories need to be appropriate for the environment or event.

Hats

Although no longer a part of everyday essentials, hats are still style and function. Find out when to take them off—a sign of respect. As an example, men take off hats indoors or during the playing of the national anthem. Religious or cultural headwear is an exception. If visiting a church of another faith, ask someone there for advice.

Jewelry

Jewelry must go with your clothes, not against them. Choose pieces that are fitting for the occasion. Flash or dramatic pieces may be suitable in fashion or entertainment but not in more conservative working environments. Avoid jarring pieces at peaceful places like movie theatres or religious services. Never ask what something costs when speaking of jewelry—it is more polite to say, "It's lovely" or "That's a beautiful piece."

Tattoos and Piercings

Body art is more in vogue now, yet it is not necessarily accepted everywhere. Several piercings or a small nose stud are typically fine, but more extreme body alteration may raise eyebrows—especially in the workplace. For job interviews or traditional professions, cover tattoos and minimize piercing jewelry. Always review corporate policy.

Eyewear

Keep glasses clean and in good condition. Don't wear sunglasses when meeting someone—blocks eye contact and may look distant. Remove them inside. Wearing them on your head at the office may indicate you're about to leave.

Bags and Cases

Choose bags, briefcases, or laptop cases suited to the setting. Don't bring an enormous tote to a formal event. You don't need to match your shoes and bag, but please don't make your bag block people's path in confined areas. And take care of professional bags like laptop cases or briefcases.

Men's Dress and Grooming

Boys' fashion is less formal now, but don't be a fool. Dress neatly and be slightly classy—even when you're dressed down. Removing a baseball cap or tying on a tie when the occasion calls is a small courtesy.

Etiquette Tip: Switching contact lenses during dinner? Not on your life. Any grooming whatever has to be accomplished in a private place, like a bathroom—whether with your best friends.

If you’re unsure what to wear, observe what well-dressed men wear in similar situations—or just ask someone. Calling a host or company ahead of time is perfectly acceptable.

Suits

A good suit is timeless for formal events—weddings, funerals, or business occasions. It should be clean, well-fitted, and in good condition. A tailor can make even an off-the-rack suit look sharp.

Men’s Accessories

Ties and Scarves: Reveal yourself, but dress up. Stained ties? To the cleaner, directly.

Handkerchiefs: Decorative ones are for show only. Don't wear both a boutonniere and a pocket square—choose one.

Jewelry: Keep it simple. Wedding ring and watch are essentials; everything else has to be subtle.

Wallets: Choose thin ones so the pockets don't have to bulge.

Hats: Hats are back as fashion statements. Take them off when:

(e.g., indoors, anthems, dinner). Baseball caps? No, not in the workplace or to formal events.

Formal Wear for Men

Keep it simple for formal events. Don't wear:

Flip-flops, loafers, or sloppy boots (unless thematic)

Sloppy shirts or ill-fitting suits

Vest and cummerbund both—use one

Shirts without ties except where allowed by invitation

Men's Grooming

Hair: Styled neatly and clean.

Facial Hair: Beards and mustaches need to be trimmed and neat.

Stubble: Okay if intentional and maintained.

Eyebrows, Nose, Ear Hair: Short. Do it at home—no audience.

Women's Grooming and Clothing

Women today have endless choices when it comes to clothes, which sometimes can be overwhelming. With such freedom comes responsibility—dress properly for the occasion. Consider:

What's the occasion?

What's the standard?

What will make you feel good about yourself?

Avoid clothes that are:

Too tight

Too short

Too revealing

Too loud

Too sheer

(And men—these rules apply to you, too!)

Women's Accessories

Accessories can add that extra oomph to your look—but be careful not to overdo it. Too many detract from your look rather than highlight it.

Wearing White

White is always in year-round. The heaviness of the fabric, not its color, determines when it's permissible. In hot months, employ light fabrics; in winter, employ "winter white" in heavier weaves. Abroad, observe what the people are doing there—white can be a mourning color in certain countries.

Hats and Gloves for Women

Hats: Can be part of a stylish look and may be worn indoors—except in offices or in such structures as theaters where sight is obstructed.

Gloves: For warmth or appearances. Removed during dining and drinking at formal occasions, but kept on while receiving lines.

Women's Grooming

Hair: Clean, styled, and well groomed.

Nails: Well manicured; it is better to be nude than to be chipped.

Makeup: Choose by time and place. Natural by day; more dramatic is okay for evening.

Dressing by Invitation

If the invitation includes "Black Tie" or "Casual," follow the advice. If no dress code is stated, use judgment based on time, place, and host. If unsure, ask.

Grooming in Public

Personal grooming should stay in personal spaces. Do not floss, clip nails, or wear makeup in public, particularly not in a shared environment or while driving. Lipstick is permissible if done subtly in relaxed situations—but in nicer or work environments, step aside and put it on in the restroom.