Getting dressed for work

Of all the places where getting dressed with proper fit matters, it’s the workplace. Co-workers, bosses, clients, they are often judging by appearance, even if they don’t say so. Being properly dressed at work still matters, and getting the proper fit conveys that you care about how you represent yourself and the company. Looking sharp shows an attention to detail, and gives an appearance of being organized and having it together.

At Peter Manning NYC, we’ve made it our mission to allow shorter guys to look dapper without having a tailor reconfigure your 9-5 wardrobe. Make sure your sleeve length is right, to avoid bunching of fabric at the wrists.  Make sure your inseam length is right to avoid bunching of fabric at the ankles.  Wear pants with a proper rise, so they don't look baggy. Wear proper fitting shirts for the same reason. Because our clothes are cut to scale and properly proportioned, you’ll look great without having to worry about it (or pay extra for it!).

The PMNYC Dress Shirt or Everyday Shirt can serve as the foundation for a great office rotation. The length of each is ideal - not too long, but just long enough to stay tucked in, even after a full day of meetings. And we’ve worked hard on the fit around the body, which is not too slim or too billowy. Keep one of our Essex Jackets on a wooden hanger in the office, so you’re always ready to dress things up if necessary.  Available in classic navy and grey, these jackets make it easy to get dressed and look great. And they can be paired with our Essex Pants if your office calls for suits. Add a tie, even if not required - no one will ever fault you for dressing too nicely.

If business casual is more the norm, our shirts can just as easily be paired with chinos. Basic khaki or navy go with most any shirt, so these are always a safe bet. If you have other color pants, either stick to a solid blue or white shirt, or be careful in your pairing. A navy jacket (and tie!) will help set you apart in these business casual environments, which we feel have perhaps gotten too casual.

Finally, make sure you invest in a great pair of shoes. You can upend your whole look with a bad pair of shoes. Try to avoid square-toed shoes or too many buckles. Basic loafers and lace-ups are always a good bet, and these days a nice brogue is too. In more formal environments, best to wear black lace-ups with navy and grey suits; brown shoes and loafers in less formal environments. If your office allows it, you can add some style with more casual shoes, like a fashionable pair of understated sneakers. But make sure you know what you're doing! See our blog post on shoes to get some ideas.

Follow these basic rules and you'll always dress confidently for work!