What to Wear at Networking Events - Shanghai Networking News

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What to Wear at Networking Events

Andrew Law Suit and tie

"The clothes maketh the man" is an old cliche that still rings true.

What you wear at a networking function can enhance you and your business or do the opposite, depending on how you go about selecting your attire.

The first rule in business related to clothing is dress for success. Whatever your profession, dress in quality clothes and be neatly presented. They don't have to be the latest brands and hugely expensive clothes, but rather smart and of a good standard.

If you look around a conventional chamber event, lounge suits are most typical with businessmen. However if you're in IT or a creative industry such as photography, a more relaxed style is appropriate -- this doesn't mean jeans and a T-shirt, but perhaps a quality dress shirt with chinos or slacks.

If in doubt about what to wear, remember it is far better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Plan ahead -- call the organizers and find out the dress code. If it is an annual ball the dress code may be black tie, i.e. dinner jackets for men, cocktail dresses for ladies.

There is nothing worse than turning up to a black tie event in a lounge suit or casual attire.

Tie

It could be a seasonal event, like a Halloween party or St Patrick's Day, in which case the organizer may ask you to wear a colour such as black or green. If you don't know about the rule you may feel slightly out of place and not feel part of the event.

Remember, what you wear projects your image (and your company's image) to others. It is something you have control over so "why chance it?" as an old business colleague of mine once opined.