10 Things Men Should Never Wear to Work

Dressing nicely for work shows your peers that you take your job seriously, have confidence, and are looking to make a good first impression. In fact, dressing nicely can impact office relationships, career opportunities, and even your salary!

There’s no denying that wearing the right business casual attire to work is important. However, it’s just as important to know what not to wear to work.

With that being said, here are the 10 things men should never wear to the office.

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10 Things Men Should Never Wear To Work

1. Too Much Cologne / Fragrance

Although wearing cologne is a great way to enhance your personal style, you’ll want to be careful with how much you spray. Wearing too much cologne is obnoxious and can disturb your co-workers.

When you’re putting on cologne, it’s a good idea not to overdo it. That way, you’ll smell nice while not bothering your peers.

Typically, spraying your fragrance two to three times is a good way to smell nice while not having too strong of a smell.

2. Wrinkled or Dirty Clothing

When you’re choosing your outfit for work, never wear wrinkled or dirty clothing. Wearing wrinkled or dirty clothing will make you look sloppy and unprofessional.

It’s a good idea to prepare your work outfit in advance. This way, you’ll avoid mistakenly wearing clothing with a stain or that is creased.

Remember, the outfit you wear to work can impact future career opportunities, so you’ll always want to look your best.

3. Overly Casual Clothing

As a guy, you should never wear overly casual clothing to the office. Wearing a T-shirt, sweatpants, shorts, or flip-flops to the office is way too casual and looks unprofessional.

When you wear overly casual clothing to the office, it can create the perception that you don’t take your job seriously and have no respect for the dress code. Always adjust your work outfits to the environment you’re in and consider a business casual look if appropriate.

4. Overly Flashy Outfits

Unfortunately, an office isn’t the place to wear overly flashy clothing. Avoid wearing bright colors, bold patterns, and flashy accessories, as they will distract your co-workers.

Oftentimes, in business casual environments, flashy clothing is seen as unprofessional. If you’re wearing a flashy outfit, it can even make you feel less professional.

If you’re interacting with clients, the last thing you’ll want to wear is a flashy outfit. Wearing flashy clothing can create the perception that you’re immature and lack business experience.

If you’re looking to make a fashion statement, do it outside of the office so you are not a distraction to your peers and potential clients.

5. Athletic Wear and Running Shoes

Athletic wear and running shoes are clothing items that should never be worn to the office. Wearing a pair of shorts, a workout T-shirt, or running sneakers to the office is unprofessional and inappropriate in a work environment.

At the very least, you’ll want to wear business casual attire. Instead of wearing sportswear, try wearing a button-down shirt, a pair of chino pants, and a pair of Oxford dress shoes.

This type of outfit is more stylish, professional, and appropriate in a business casual setting.

6. Hats Indoors

Wearing hats indoors is never acceptable in a professional environment. In fact, many companies have policies prohibiting their employees from wearing a hat in the office.

Instead of wearing a hat to your workplace, take the time to style your hair. By styling your hair, you will look more professional and well-put-together.

7. Ripped Jeans

Although ripped jeans may be in style, they’re inappropriate in a professional setting. Typically, offices allow denim jeans on casual Fridays. However, wearing a pair of ripped jeans is too casual!

You’ll want to project a professional image when you’re at your workplace. By wearing a pair of ripped jeans, you’re projecting the image of someone who dresses too casually and does not take their job seriously.

8. Sagged Pants

As a grown man, you should never sag your pants. As you can imagine, sagging your pants in a professional environment is probably the biggest fashion mistake you can make.

When you sag your pants, you look sloppy and immature, and you come off as someone who has no awareness. Sagging is something teenage boys do in high school, not grown men working in an office.

So, pull up your pants, buy a belt, and never sag your pants when you’re going to work!

9. Clothing That’s Too Small

Wearing clothing that is too small creates an unprofessional appearance. Furthermore, if your outfit is too tight, it will affect your mobility, which can be very uncomfortable.

It’s important to remember that how you dress at work reflects your personal brand. When you’re wearing clothing that is too small, you create the perception that you don’t care about the way you look and you lack attention to detail.

So, next time you go shopping, make sure to purchase clothing that fits your body type the right way.

10. Political / Divisive Clothing

As a man, you should never wear graphic T-shirts to the office. Furthermore, political or divisive graphic T-shirts certainly should never be worn in a professional environment as they can be offensive to your colleagues.

When you work in an office, it’s important to dress professionally. Wearing a graphic T-shirt makes you look immature and as if you don’t belong in an office.

Instead, save your graphic T-shirts for the weekends when you’re not around your co-workers.

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Final Thoughts On Things Men Should Never Wear To The Office

While dress codes can vary depending on the workplace, it’s essential to dress nicely. The way you dress for work is a direct reflection of you.

Your co-workers, potential customers, and boss will notice when you dress nicely and follow the dress code. So, take the time to prepare nice and clean outfits to make a lasting impression on your peers.

In this post, I shared the 10 things men should never wear to the office.

What are some thing that men should never wear to the office? Please let me know in the comments below.