A two-button suit will give a man a slimmer, more streamlined look and will better show off your shirt and tie. The shoulders of the suit should fit snugly, but not too tight and the sleeves should stop at your wrist, not any further. The pants of the suit should stop right before they hit the ground to prevent from being baggy or stepped on. For longevity, dry clean suits infrequently and instead steam press when needed.
You'll need a sweater— charcoal gray flatters most men and a v-neck style allows for wearing with a button down shirt underneath. A v-neck sweater can be dressed up or dressed down and can be worn with jeans and cords in the spring or summer, or even a dark suit in the fall or winter. Also, men relish the comfort of T-shirts! Stock up on classic crew neck shirts in a variety of colors to round out your wardrobe. You’ll be thankful come Casual Friday.
You’re going to need a belt to hold up your new suit. Invest in a black belt because it will match most of your other clothing. When choosing a style, opt for a fancier black leather that will work well with suits, you can also wear it with khakis and jeans.
When in the corporate world, a tie is a necessity. A dark, slimmer tie will instantly make you look sophisticated and classic. Also, it will match almost everything from jean jackets to suit jackets, unlike wider ties.
Invest in a classic raincoat… you wouldn’t want to ruin your new suit. A raincoat should be trim and tailored—before people see your suit, they’ll see your coat. The trick is to look sharp and fresh, even when the weather is not.
Invest in a quality briefcase in either black or brown—whichever suits your style. A harder weatherproof style may last longer if you do not want to invest in a new case every year, however a softer leather style will also work if you do not carry that much and are after fashion more than function. What else to carry? Keep a slim wallet—there’s no need for a thick wallet stashed away in your back pocket. All you need is your ID, no more than two credit cards, and your business card—anything else will stretch out and wear down your pants.
Long gone are the student days when summer meant vacation. Long hours in hot weather equate to a sweaty shirt. When you can’t make it home to change and get fresh again, you’ll be thankful for the spare tucked away in your office.
Have an extra drawer in your new corporate office? Stow away essentials such as aspirin, band-aids, condoms, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a razor, and anything else that will fit into a sleek leather case— and you'll always be prepared.
The last thing you want to do at a new job is be late for a meeting or appointment. When choosing a watch, remember that a dress watch should be smaller and more discreet than a sports watch which tends to be larger.
When transitioning between college and the working world do not be afraid. Look the part and you will find it easier to act like a professional.
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