Dress Codes Decoded: Formal Corporate/Corporate (men)

Now that the Ladies are settled, it’s time for a bit of guidance for the Men.

The Formal Corporate/Corporate dress codes are the most formal and conservative levels of business wear. As for women, suits are mandatory and should be kept cool and dark (black, grey, or navy) for Formal Corporate or warm and neutral (brown, taupe, or beige) for Corporate in either solid or subtle patterns such as pinstripe or windowpane check. 

Understanding Dress Codes is almost like a branch of Semiotics. It’s the study of the common meaning of certain signs by an intelligent population…right? So, how will you know if you’re facing a Formal Corporate or Corporate dress code? Read the signs! As I mentioned in the Ladies’ post, the sea of suits and ties will be a dead giveaway. You may also notice that nary a pant suit will be found on any of the women. Why? In the most conservative dress codes, it is preferred that women wear skirts.

Literacy at these levels of dress means: choosing heavier and more refined fabrics such as wool, woven cottons, and leather. The unspoken message here is of serious bid-naz, professionalism, and authority. Here’s what you need to know to get to the advanced level class: 

• Suits: Suit up! Cool, dark neutrals for the most Formal business environments, with the possibility of warmer, lighter neutrals for Corporate business environments. Solids, pinstripes, or subtle tone-on-tone check patterns are great ways to add a little interest without going ‘Don Cherry’.
• Socks: Trouser socks should match the trousers  (surprised?) and should be mid-calf to knee length. Why? Two reasons: 1) Matching the sock to the pant elongates your leg. Matching it to your shoe cuts of your leg and elongates your…shoe. 2) When you cross your leg your audience will want to see more sock – no leg.
• Shirts: White is preferred and should have a collar and long sleeves.
• Shoes: Black or neutral dress shoes are ideal and should be in a high-shine polishable leather.  Slip ons, Oxfords and Brogues are great options. What’s a neutral beyond black, you ask? Deep Brown, Oxblood, or Cognac. 
• Belts: You should always wear a belt with a suit – unless you choose braces (suspenders). One or the other please. Belts should coordinate with your shoes which means: classic, smooth leather.
• Accessories: What accessories!? There are lots of choices: watches, cufflinks, a ring. But as these levels of dress are conservative, whatever you choose should be low profile and focused around classic metals in white, yellow, or platinum. Eyewear should be kept simple as well, with non-reflective lenses.  Carry a pen? Make it a nice, metal one.
• Briefcase: Neutral leather briefcases are ideal for these levels of business attire. Keep your bag streamlined, and looking well maintained. Ix-nay on the crazy overflowing bags.
• Grooming: Keep your complexion fresh and clear with your hair groomed and maintained in a shorter cut.  Facial hair’s not generally in the cards at these levels of dress. The smooth-shaven look is typically much preferred.

Posted in Dress Codes Decoded, For the Guys |

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