Take your cue from colleagues when choosing work attire.
If you're a professional assistant, you no doubt have a senior colleague who supervises your work and probably acts as your manager also. In many cases, this person's attire serves as a reliable blueprint for your own work wardrobe. There are some exceptions -- for instance, if your supervisor dresses badly, or if your role requires a particular uniform. If your company has a formal dress code or uniform, follow guidelines closely; also, pay attention to your coworkers' outfits, especially those who look put together and appropriate.
Emulate the Boss
Aim to wear clean, tidy clothes at the same level of formality as your manager's usual work wear. For instance, if your boss wears tailored pants or skirts and a suit jacket every day, you should do the same. If she wears jeans and T-shirts, you can do so as well. If your immediate supervisor dresses poorly, inappropriately or more casually than the workplace norm, observe and emulate other assistants and supervisors instead.
Observe Other Departments
Dress as well as the interdepartmental colleagues with whom you work with regularly, even if you fulfill different roles in the company. For instance, if you are a corporate library assistant or an information technology assistant, dress similarly to the users that you assist. If you dress more casually, coworkers may resent you or your department.
Shop Smart
If your boss dresses expensively, you may need to find appropriate garb at much lower price points. Rather than shell out for designer duds, buy inexpensive basics that fit perfectly, which will make them look more expensive than they are. Visit a tailor if necessary. To get maximum value for each purchase, pick versatile, timeless pieces such as black trousers, button-down shirts and blouses and neutral blazers. Stay away from trendy pieces; they have short life spans and don't provide good value.
Shoes
Work shoes merit special attention, because comfortable, attractive shoes will dress up basic outfits and prevent performance-sapping foot pain. For everyday wear, pick shoes that cover your toes and most of your foot, such as loafers or low-heeled pumps. Avoid bare shoes like flip-flops and strappy sandals, which are too casual unless you work as an assistant lifeguard. Athletic shoes, too, are unprofessional unless you're on your feet for hours as a server, bartender, health care provider or athletic coach. In those cases, clogs or sneakers are appropriate and necessary.
Basic Rules
When in doubt, you can follow basic rules that hold true in nearly any workplace. Wear collared shirts, tailored pants or skirts and neutral shoes. Choose attractive but unobtrusive patterns and colors over loud, outlandish prints. In jeans-friendly workplaces, wear basic, dark-wash, well-fitting jeans with no holes. While it's desirable to show some personality, do so in the details with interesting scarves, ties and purses. Use common sense about what to avoid. Revealing or sloppy clothing, such as spaghetti-strap tank tops, shirts that show cleavage, miniskirts and anything ripped or stained, won't fly in any workplace.
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