Knowing how to appropriately dress in business professional attire is crucial to your future career success. This style of dress is what you will wear for interviews and many formal recruit   ing events. Not only do you have to demonstrate your thorough understanding of professional attire in the accounting industry, but you also have to know how to stand out among a sea of suits.

Business Professional

You will come to find that there are two types of business professional dress. There is a more traditional, conservative version and then there is a more current version. The more current version includes items such as business dresses and jackets/bottoms that are not of the same color. This current version can be utilized at events such as firm tours and the banquet. However for Meet the Firms, the traditional and more conservative version will be required. This version is pictured and described below.

A few key areas that you absolutely must understand include:

• Always making sure clothing is ironed and crisp (wrinkles or lint indicate carelessness)
• Ensuring clothing is not baggy, dirty, or ripped/worn down
  

  Women Natural makeup, no dark or colorful eye-shadows or lipstick Knee-length skirt or slacks that match jacket color Shirt must be button-up and collared Conservative colors for shirt: white, light blue Jacket must be a full, long sleeve blazer Suit color: black, navy blue, or dark grey Minimal jewelry (stud earrings, one ring) Closed-toed, solid-dark colored flats or heels that are no higher than 2 inches Hair should be away from your eyes/face so it’s not distracting If you wearing tights, must be skin toned in color

  Men Suit color: Black, dark grey, or navy blue Belt must be worn Shoes must match the color of your belt Crisp, collared, button-up shirt, complemented by a tie Conservative tie color, nothing too colorful or distracting Button rules: (3 buttons) Sometimes, always, never rule – (2 buttons) Button the top button and not the lower one Neat and trimmed facial hair

  You aren’t dressing to go to a club, you’re dressing to go to a formal interview.

  Business Casual “Dressing for Success” does not always imply dressing business professional. Many networking events, job interviews, and daily work environments require business casual attire. Unlike business professional, business casual gives you more opportunities to show some of your personality in what you wear. While this is more casual attire, the main guidelines set in business professional still apply: Make sure your clothing is neat, pressed, and appropriate Limit the use of perfume and cologne

  

  Women Conservative blouse or long-sleeve/elbow length button-up shirt (pastel colors) Slacks, knee-length skirt, or dress (black, gray, khaki, or navy blue colors) Blazer or cardigan (optional) Simple small jewelry (one ring, one bracelet) Closed-toed, solid-colored flats or heels no higher than 2 inches Natural makeup, no dark or colorful eye-shadows or lipstick Hair should be neat, conservative, and away from your eyes/face so it’s not distracting

  Men Long-sleeve button-up collared shirt (solid color or conservative stripes) Tie should complement the shirt and be 2½ to 3½ inches wide (optional) Simple long-sleeve V-neck sweater (optional) Black, dark navy, gray, and khakis are all acceptable colors for dress pants Black or brown leather dress shoes that match the belt A watch with a gold or silver band – no digital sport watches

  Business casual may be more comfortable, but remember, you are still in a professional environment.