You’ve officially made it. You got the degree you’ve been working on for years and now you finally have a job in the field of your dreams (or you’re at least on your way there).
The big day is approaching. As you mark off days in your agenda, you realize you’re getting closer and closer to the first day of your first post-grad full-time job.
There are so many things to be worried about. As a fresh graduate, will you be taken seriously? Will people at the office like you? What if you realize that this isn’t actually the career path you want to take?
With all of these ideas weighing on your mind, you don’t have time to be fretting about whether your first day outfit is office-appropriate or fashionable enough. While the first day outfit plays a big role in determining the office’s first impression of you, it doesn’t have to stress you out as much as it currently may be.
Read on for some advice on how to pick the perfect first day of work outfit.
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We’ve all heard the maxim, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” and let’s be honest – your first post-grad job probably isn’t where you want to stay forever.
Thus, thinking about this statement is especially important on day one – it shows that you’re not stopping here. You’re going to keep rising to the top. Remembering this helps you give the impression that even though you’re new, you’re eager to learn and to improve your skills.
Of course, when deciding your outfit, you should deliberate on what kind of environment you’ll be working in. If you’ve been in the office before, what did the employees tend to wear? If you haven’t been there, what field are you in? Does your workplace lean more towards the conservative side or the casual side? Understanding your environmentwill help you project yourself professionally.
Part of determining the social landscape is determining what the company’s expected dress code is. Many corporations offer a basic dress code for their employees; it may be smart to contact your company’s HR department and find out what it is before you have to find out what it is the hard way.
The dress code is enforced to make you and your coworkers feel as professionally comfortable as possible. Teri Hockett, chief executive of the career site for women “What’s for Work?,” explains to Business Insider that possessing a fundamental understanding of the dress code, whether it’s expected or explicit, is “important because sometimes the way we dress can turn people off to approaching us, or it sends the wrong message.”
Of course, while impressing others isn’t always the number one goal in how we dress, it should be a priority on your first day in a new workplace.
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So what exactly do the different dress code distinctions mean? While there can be slight variations between companies, there is a general consensus about what each one requires. Business Insider states that business casual affords a short-sleeve top or button-up shirt, skirt or slacks, and relaxed shoes (for girls, this can mean open-toed, but use common sense – your rainbow flip-flops probably aren’t going to cut it).
It only goes up from there; business professional attire means you have to be a tad more conservative, and business formal attire is often prescribed for fancy evening events.
Of course, it’s okay (especially on day one) to exceed the dress code and dress nicer than you may be expected to, as previously explained.
Part of looking professional is not looking over-the-top. One of the easiest ways to ensure a great first day outfit is to keep it simple. When you’re shopping for your first day outfit and beyond, try to stick with classics that will not only last long (sorry, Forever 21) but also be able to be worn well into the future. Target can be a good place to shop for these items, but if you’re looking for something high-quality that will last you more than a few wears, J. Crew and The Limited are great options.
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While still keeping it simple on your first day, you may also want to think about using some type of statement piece to make yourself stand out. Best-selling business author Bernard Marr suggests colored socks, pocket squares, scarves, and costume jewelry as possible statement pieces.
Taking all of these tips into consideration, you shouldn’t stray from what makes you comfortable and what expresses who you are. It’s not just dress to impress; it’s alsodress to express. Since the outfit does have a lot to do with your coworkers’ first impressions of you, you want to present yourself accurately.
To put it simply, if you don’t like it, don’t wear it. If you’re not comfortable in it, don’t wear it. The point is to feel confident and make a good first impression on your first day, not feel uncomfortable because you’re trying too hard to be something you’re not.
