“What should I wear for comfortable work attire?”
This has always been the question every employee asks themselves. There’s a certain importance to dressing appropriately and professionally. It shows your colleagues and clients that you take your work seriously and that they, in turn, should also take you seriously.
Dressing comfortably, on the other hand, is also of great importance. Comfortable work attire ensures that you’re able to fully concentrate and relax. There’s nothing more distracting than a tight-fitting waistband digging into your tummy while you’re sitting at your desk.
With that said, you can dress both professionally and comfortably at work. Here are some tips to follow:
1. Clean, Properly-Fitted Clothes
The basic is to have clean and properly-fitting outfits. Whether you work in a corporate setting where suits are required or in a tech office that encourages casual attires, making sure that your clothes are clean and well-fitted is a must.
If your clothes are too small or too big, they’ll not look good on you. Tight-fitted clothing is uncomfortable to wear and, most of the time, doesn’t look appropriate. Meanwhile, clothing that’s too loose looks messy and sloppy and, depending on your work, could even become a job hazard.
Dirty clothing can also make you look untidy and can violate your organization’s hygiene policy, particularly if in the healthcare or food industry. In a large medical center or hospital, scrubs like the ones on sites like keswi are most suitable and comfortable for surgical settings. Customers may think twice about entering a restaurant if employees arrive at work wearing a permanently stained uniform. Patients could report a nurse wearing bloodied scrubs around the hospital’s vicinity.
Regardless of what you’re wearing, these are the two basic tips that you should primarily tick off for dressing appropriately in any work environment.
To top it all off, no one would feel comfortable in clothes that are ill-fitting and unclean.
2. Follow The Dress Code
Every business will have a dress code. And the employee handbook should officially list it. So, make sure to follow all comfortable work attire guidelines to show that you take your job seriously.
Also, there are some unwritten rules. In such a case, you need to take a look at what your boss, superiors, or co-workers are wearing. Does everyone dress very professionally and conservatively, or is it a more casual atmosphere?
If everyone around you is wearing prim-and-proper dress, then you’ll look unprofessional and stick out like a sore thumb in your colorful shirt and tattered jeans. It won’t be comfortable when others stare at your outfits.
3. Think of The Work Setting
Where you’ll be working is also a factor in your choice of attire that’s also comfortable. Each different setting requires different types of workwear. For instance, there are different attires that a healthcare worker can wear. In a private clinic, formal business dress with or without a white lab coat is suitable.
4. Slip On Comfortable Shoes
Of course, you should also think about your shoes. In terms of choosing shoes, comfort, work, safety, and the appropriateness for the environment are key concerns.
Are you required to wear stilettos or heeled shoes? Do you need to walk a lot? Does your work have any hazards that might need you to wear safety boots?
These are all important considerations that can help you determine the best shoes to wear. If your work requires you to climb hundreds of steps or walk on slippery floors, then safety should come first. Choose shoes that have some traction, or go with flat shoes.
Next, you want to observe what your colleagues are wearing. Do they wear sneakers? Or is it more of a sophisticated dress shoe or high-heel work environment? Whichever it is, you can find something that’s both comfortable and reflective of your working environment and style.
If everyone else in your work wears stilettos, it doesn’t mean that you should wear one too, especially if you’re not comfortable with it. You don’t want to force yourself to wear stilettos only to awkwardly walk around or, worse, trip or fall to the ground. You can still wear heels— but opt for wider and shorter ones.
5. Avoid Clothing With Offensive Text or Graphics
As an employee, you’re responsible for making sure that you do your part to make the workplace peaceful and comfortable for everyone. Wearing something that is overtly offensive or rude can make some or all of your co-workers uncomfortable. It can lead to arguments between colleagues and may even result in disciplinary actions. Again, you won’t be comfortable working like this.
It’s best that you keep all political, religious, sexual, rude, or other obnoxious clothing at home. Also, if you’re unsure about the appropriateness of a specific item, then just skip it. If you want to wear it, you can just discuss it with HR and find out if it’s appropriate or not.
6. Skip The Noisy Accessories or Clothing
Whether it’s your gigantic puff sleeve blouse making swishy sounds, your stilettos going “tok-tok-tok” every time you take a step, or it’s your bracelet with several bell charms on it, noise can be quite distracting and uncomfortable for others and you.
So, make sure that you wear something that fits nicely, not overdramatic, and accessories that don’t clink can go a long way to ensuring that you’re dressed appropriately with comfortable work attire.
7. Dress According To Temperature
If it’s the winter season, then you want to cover up with long sleeves and comfy coats. If it’s the hot months, then go with attires that don’t leave you sweltering in the heat.
Other than that, you also need to consider the office temperatures. At times, the AC can be too low or too high. It’s a common problem in most offices. So, consider wearing layers. Wear short sleeves in case the AC needs some maintenance. But, bring a cardigan in case the office becomes too cold after the maintenance.
In short, you need to be flexible based on the temperature in and outside your work. You can’t properly work on your computer if your hands are shivering or focus on the presentation if you’re busy fanning yourself with the presentation reports.
Conclusion
As frustrating as it may be, the truth is that we’re often judged (subconsciously and consciously) based on our appearance. In the workplace, we want to be taken seriously. Our clothing often reflects that attitude. Still, we want to wear something that makes us feel comfortable and relaxed. By following the above tips, you can come to work with a respectable aura without feeling awkward in your comfortable work attire.
