Get the Basics Right: Shoes and Pants for Young Professional Men

While most of us want to feel comfortable at work, it doesn’t mean we sacrifice fashion. While suits for most jobs have gone by the wayside, looking good at work is something a lot of young professionals take pride in. As younger workers we want to be taken seriously and realize that it’s sometimes hard with a wrinkled shirt and jeans.

Tad Johnson

I'm a big fan of tailored wool dress slacks. You can find some great deals when the department stores put out last season's inventory on clearance (and really, slacks don't change too much season to season). Plus they'll always fit you perfectly since they're tailored just for you.

March 21, 2008 1:59 pm
GenerationXpert

Liked this article a lot. I have a point to add - make sure the sleeves of your sportcoat are not too long. It makes you look like a schmuck.

March 21, 2008 5:52 pm
Michael H

Ooh yeah! Fashion's an area lots of us need help on, particularly because many of us don't like to shop. But the impression we give by being well dressed is too good to pass up when you're looking to get your foot in the door. Looks really do count.

My Mom said when she married my Dad she threw all his clothes out and started over again. I'm hoping to be a little better than that and not drive the girls nuts by slovenly dressing. But yeah, a little time, a little money, it does pay off. I've even found that my level of confidence and the attitude I project changes for the better when I feel good about how I'm dressed.

March 21, 2008 6:15 pm
Nathan Snell

Thought I'd throw in that you can get your stuff dry cleaned. I'm not so great at ironing, and often don't have time to do it anyway, so I usually schedule in advance days to get my clothes pressed.

Also, and this is just my opinion, I think while dressing for the job above you is important, making sure how you dress is inline with your personality and compliments your natural features is just as important. Meaning, if you look better in khaki than you do in black, I'd say wear the khaki. Or if your style is slightly different (maybe you wear pinstripe more), to go with that.

March 21, 2008 9:51 pm

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