Your appearance is your image

JAKARTA (JP): As an executive who is expected to appear and perform professionally, it is obviously important to have a totally professional appearance.

The image you build communicates with others, telling them several things about yourself, such as personality, status, knowledge and the skills you possess.

One does not need to attire oneself in expensive or branded clothes and accessories to put across an impression of quality. The important thing is that your clothes should be neat and clean, be appropriate for the circumstances and goals of the occasion, for instance a meeting.

In your working environment, quality is far more important than fashion. Determine which clothes and accessories are appropriate for the occasion and the culture of your company.

Conservative

A conservative dress code is usually imposed at state bodies and institutions and private businesses focusing on financial matters, such as banks and insurance firms, which reflects a solid image and a sense of being well established.

It is suggested that male staff wear a suit in somber colors, like black, charcoal, gray or medium blue.

Another option is a single-breasted jacket with two dark buttons and a shirt in a solid color. The trousers can be plain legged or have cuffs and should be the same color as the jacket.

For women, a skirt suit in black, dark blue, beige or white gabardine, crepe or silk is an essential garment. The suit can be worn with a bright blouse and tight-fitting or long skirt that matches either the jacket or blouse.

Contemporary

This style reflects a dynamic image and is found at newly established companies or those majoring in sales and marketing, such as advertisement agencies, telecommunications firms, property developers and auto sales companies.

Men wear suits made of mixed fabric, such as polyester and wool, silk and wool. The suit can be any color as long as it is suitable for males. Choose shirts in bright colors and with a single or doubled-breasted jacket and trousers with or without cuffs.

Women wanting a contemporary look can wear a tailored suit made in various fabrics. The color can be green, yellow, reddish purple or gold. A combination of single or doubled-breasted blazer, a colorful blouse and a tight skirt is a popular alternative.

Bridge type

This dynamic combination is often seen at companies whose staff work in the field and at places such as transportation firms, manufacturing companies and construction firms.

The male staff can wear a medium-weight woolen suit which can be mixed with polyester and wool in any color, except taupe, patterned green and terra-cotta. Avoid wearing single or doubled- breasted three-button jackets. One or two buttons are preferable. A buttoned-down collar shirt in any color, except pink can be worn under the jacket. Any kind of trousers suit this type.

For women, dresses made from wool, crepe and silk should be avoided. Instead wear a miniskirt or pipe trousers with a masculine-looking blazer in dashing colors, except reddish purple.

Trendy

This one, dubbed the "fashion forward" style, is mostly used by those working at companies which demand a high degree of creativity and innovation such as those in the publishing, garment, cosmetics, retailing and film industries.

Workers at these businesses always turn up for work wearing the latest models and even become pioneers of new trends. The fabrics, the motives and colors of their clothes are always the latest ones.

2-3-4 matrix

This type of attire has to be suited to three elements, namely time, place and kind of event to be attended.

Wear, for example, bright colors in light fabrics from morning until late afternoon.

When heading for the office, wear a conservative office dress. For a party, dress in contemporary clothes.

Now for shoes. Men can wear black, burgundy or brown shoes as long as they go with the clothes being worn. Women can wear court shoes in black, white, burgundy, red chili or brown. Match the color of the stockings.

Overall, it's all up to you. Again, your appearance reflects who you are.

This article is presented by Jakarta Consulting Group.