By Chuah Kee Man
“Go Professional Programme” 2014
By Academic and Career Exco
Sakura Residential College, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Disclaimer
I’m not a fashion expert
or an image consultant.
I am just an ordinary man....
What’s the point of
knowing how to
wear professionally?
To let others be
impressed,
you must first be
well dressed.~Chuah Kee Man
You cannot climb the
ladder of success
dressed in the
costume of failure.~Zig Ziglar
For decades, studies
have shown people
who are hired or
promoted tend to
dress better.
Dress decently but not
merely imitating the
celebrities or models…
..because your
workplace is not a
fashion runway,
It’s your stairway to
success.~ Chuah Kee Man
No matter how we try
to ignore,
People still judge us by
our appearance.
And sadly even more so
for women!
Wardrobe considerations for work, women
usually have more to think about…
The “Terms”
Business Professional Business Casual Casual
Part 1
Head to Toe
The Hair• Avoid dyeing your hair with striking colours
• Well-groomed hairstyle
• If your hair is rather long, tie your hair
neatly
Fun FactRecent surveys and studies showed:
More than 70% of men indicated that
they notice women because of their
hair.
~Glamour.com
The Hijab• KISS – Keep it Sweet and Simple
• Keep to “1 colour”
• Avoid complicated patterns
• Best colours? Shades of brown, pink or grey
The Face• Clean and no visible piercings
• Minimal make up with conservative tones
• Eye brows and “eye shadows”: natural
The Ears• Simple ear rings
• Avoid long dangling ones
The Body• Wear according to your body size
• Clothes must be suitable with professions
• Not revealing or eye-striking (not too shiny)
• Avoid elaborated accessories
The Hands• Clean
• Trimmed Fingernails (not too long)
• Hand bags? Not too big or glittering.
The Accessories• Minimal (if possible don’t use them)
• But make use of the suitable ones (simple
yet elegant) to make you stand out.
The Shoes• Clean and well-polished
• Not too fancy (No sneakers, sandals, boots)
• Stilettos or pumps are fine (but not too high)
Part 2
The Overall Look
The Basic 3Cs Principles to
Look Good:
Colour Comfort Cleanliness
ColourThe color of your clothing sends a
subconscious message about your
personality.
Loyal and Committed
Authoritative
Calm and cool
Friendly
Powerful
Clean
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
ComfortMake sure you feel comfortable too.
Not too tight/loose, not revealing and
most importantly the fabric suits you.
Match the clothes with your
professions.
CleanlinessIt’s very important to be clean which
includes well-brushed teeth and fresh
breath.
These 3Cs will lead to
the ultimate C…
CONFIDENCE
Part 3
The Big NO
No “Sexy” Attires
Never assume being sexy gives
you better prospect
No Excessive Perfumes
Employers may be allergic to
perfumes and it can be distracting
No Chewing Gums
Distracting and also indicates that
you are not showing respect
No “Bad” Manners
Good Manners will enhance your
look. Bad manners will surely “kill” you.
Part 4
The Inner Beauty
Body language is
equally
important. Don’t
forget to “wear”
your smile!
Project positive
“aura” or vibes.
And show your
inner beauty.
In a nutshell…
To dress professional does
not mean you have to
spend on expensive
brands.
Start simple by focusing
on improving the way
your dress. Being
moderate is the key.
Dress according to your
profession too. Follow the
dress code if it is given.
Most importantly, make
sure you feel good about
yourself.
Thank you.A copy of this slide is available at
http://is.gd/dressforsuccess
