Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Tuesday, so this post is on personal impact.

Your attire is a big part of making a positive personal impact.  A recent AskMen.com newsletter had some great advice on putting together a business wardrobe.  I’ve posted the salient points below – with a few comments by me.

AskMen.com on Creating a Business Wardrobe

"There’s nothing worse than serving someone a $200 bottle of wine when they can’t tell the difference between a fine beverage and a carafe of the house red or white. On the other hand, wouldn’t it be great if you could whip up a $2 package of mac and cheese and fool everyone into thinking it was a gourmet meal?

"Treat your wardrobe the same way you would food; pay more for what people will notice and pay less for what they won’t. There’s no point, for example, on spending $200 on a pair of socks that no one will see. Splurge on a quality suit, however, and you’ll cut a dashing figure at any social event.

"Confused about what pieces to drop your hard-earned cash on and when to save your money? Read on to find out which items are worth a little extra investment and how you can save on the stuff no one will notice.

What to Invest In

Cuff links

AskMen.com advice:  They may be small, but they speak volumes about your sense of style. It’s the little details that count the most and few other items of clothing can add so much instant class and polish to your look. 

Bud’s perspective:  I have several pair of cuff links.  However, I wear two most often.  The first is a set of turquoise and onyx inlaid cuff links that I bought on the Zuni reservation in New Mexico.  They are both unique and beautiful.  I always get compliments on them.  The second is a set that was made from old typewriter keys.  Both have my initial “B”, one has a white background with a black letter, the other has a black background with a white letter.  These cuff links often get noticed and compliments. 

Watch

AskMen.com advice:  A great watch may last you the rest of your life and will stylishly enhance anything you wear. To make sure you buy a timeless piece, go for something with a black leather band and a silver or, if you can afford it, a diamond face.

Bud’s perspective:  I have four watches that I wear for business and casual.  (I also have a Casio with a rubber band that I wear for exercise.  My favorite is a Cartier Tank watch.  It is elegant and great for business and dress.  I have a Tag Heuer sport watch.  It is suitable for work and for casual wear.  I have two Swiss Army Watches which I wear for business casual events and for social events related to business – like ball games.  All of my watches have a leather band.  I prefer a leather band to a metal bracelet.  I think it looks more sophisticated.

Coat

AskMen.com advice:  You wear it every day for much of the year and it’s what people initially see on you, so consider what kind of first impression you want to make when you buy your coat. You probably won’t own too many coats, so make the one you do own an invaluable addition to your wardrobe. A great coat will complement your work clothes handsomely and will even add style to a jeans-and-T-shirt look. For a timelessly stylish look, choose a knee-length, button-up wool or cashmere coat in black, gray, navy or camel. Get your coat dry-cleaned by a reputable service a couple of times a year and you’re good to go.

Bud’s perspective:  I am a Burberry fan.  I have two Burberry trench coats.  One is single breasted.  The other is a classic double breasted, like those worn by British officers in the trenches in WWI (hence the name trench coat).  I find that these coats work well for me.  I do not own a wool overcoat.  I think such a coat is necessary only in very cold climate cities – Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis.  However, if you like the look of an overcoat, I suggest a single breasted wool or cashmere in black, navy or gray.  I am partial to an understated herringbone pattern for such a coat.

Suit

AskMen.com advice:  Invest in one good, classic cut suit and you’ll live in it for the next 10 years. Choose a black suit whose pieces can be worn as separates, and look for straight-cut pants and a sharply tailored blazer. Wear the pants with a classic white-collared shirt for a semiformal occasion and dress up scruffy jeans and a T shirt with the blazer and some sleek black runners for a night out.

Bud’s perspective:  I suggest that every man should have one black suit, one navy or charcoal gray suit and one good quality navy blazer with a pair of charcoal gray slacks.  I am big, so I prefer double pleated pants.  I think they look better on me.  If you are thin, plain front pants may be the way to go for you.  I suggest that you never wear a suit jacket without the suit pants.  The jacket and pants will look unmatched after a few cleanings.  When I travel, I take a blazer and a few pair of charcoal slacks.  This makes packing easier and my slacks always are fresh and pressed.

Sunglasses

AskMen.com advice: These will be the “bling” accessory that will make you look cool all year round, conceal late nights and get you noticed right away. Black or darkly tinted lenses are most alluring and will never go out of style, so stay away from flashy-colored lenses or frames. Get a pair with built-in protection from UVA/UVB rays and do your eyes -- and your wardrobe -- a favor.

Bud’s perspective: I am partial to Ray-ban Wayfarers or Ray-ban Aviator glasses.  These are classic styles that always look good.

What to Save On

Jeans

AskMen.com advice:  With so many choices of denim these days, it’s easy to buy most of your jeans for a lower to moderate cost. Feel free to experiment with different styles and looks by spending less on jeans. One caveat: Whether you wear jeans every day to the office or just for nights out, do spend a little more on one dark-colored pair with a slightly boot-cut leg, as you’ll look great in them no matter what you pair them with, and they’ll actually improve with a bit of age. Additionally, if the rest of your jeans are inexpensive, occasionally wearing a more expensive pair with the label prominently displayed will give the impression that you spend more on all of your jeans than you actually do.

Bud’s perspective:  I agree.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money on jeans.  Keep them freshly laundered and looking good.  I find that wearing some khakis when everyone else is in jeans makes you stand out in a crowd.

Shirts

AskMen.com advice:  Never spend more than necessary on basics like T-shirts, button-up shirts and other casual shirts. These pieces will be worn and washed often, and will therefore wear out more quickly. Changing up your shirts every so often is also a very inexpensive and easy way to keep up with trends and ensure that your look stays fresh.

Bud’s perspective:  I disagree.  Good looking dress shirts are an important part of any business wardrobe.  I may be a bit stodgy, but I like to wear white shirts for business.  In fact, white shirts have become my signature.  I buy my white shirts at Brooks Brothers.  I get their no iron, all cotton shirts.  They look clean and crisp all day.  You may not like white shirts.  That’s OK.  However, I suggest buying shirts that give you a signature look too – bengal stripe, contrasting collar and cuffs, tattersall.  If your shirts have a uniform, distinct look, people will notice you.  Always send you shirts to the laundry – they come back looking better than you can do them at home.

Socks and underwear

AskMen.com advice: As long as you get solid black, navy or gray socks you can save money on them because, quite frankly, no one will notice. Great looking underwear can also be purchased inexpensively. Check out sales in department stores for discounts on designer duds. In lower-end department stores you can also buy underwear cheaply; just stick with standard patterns or solid colors and avoid no-name designer logos and weird pictures (like Papa Smurf).

Bud’s perspective: I agree

Ties

AskMen.com advice:  Save on ties but take into account the texture of the tie and be sure to choose only ties made from quality materials -- such as silk -- as these feel much nicer to wear and be tied up in. Show your playful side to the ladies and experiment a bit with ties by having a variety of colors and patterns.

Bud’s perspective:  Buy silk ties only.  They look and knot the best.  I wear striped ties only.  This is part of my look – white shirt, striped tie, dark charcoal slacks.  I suggest that you choose your ties carefully.  Avoid whimsical ties – like Mickey Mouse or Snoopy.  Choose ties that will add a bit of color to what you’re wearing, but won’t attract too much attention.

Belts

AskMen.com advice: A truly useful item, the solid black, leather belt with a silver buckle shouldn’t cost you much and you’ll wear it for years until it falls apart. At this price, you can afford to buy two, so buy a second in brown leather with a gold or bronze clasp as a stylish standby.

Bud’s perspective:  I agree.  You can spend over $500 on a belt.  I buy my belts in department stores for less than $100.

The AskMen.com article concludes: “Fancy packaging for products, like wine and food, can fool others into thinking you paid a lot more for a product than you actually did. Clothes are the same way, so dress up your package a little and you’ll seem like the definition of class -- even if the rest of your outfit was purchased for half-price at a discount store.  At first, you may need to shell out big bucks for some of the pricier items, but remember that these are investment pieces, so you’ll be wearing them for years to come -- some may even last you a lifetime. Plus, after your bank account recovers from your more expensive purchases, you’ll save tons of money each season when all you have to do is pick out a couple of cheaper items to stay in style. Here’s to looking great!”

I agree.  It’s not hard, nor even real expensive, to look good.  It takes a little thought, and a willingness to find a style all your own.  However, once you find a style all your own, you’ll be on your way to making a positive personal impact.  And, positive personal impact is one of the keys to becoming a career and life success.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.