Every office imposes standards of etiquette, and dress codes vary from case to case. Some pieces, however, are best avoided by any stylish man, whatever the workplace. This article lists 5 wrong choices for the office.

1. Creased or dirty shirts: does nobody really notice?

Every man knows that a dirty or stained shirt has no place at the office. Yet more than a few overlook the fact that a creased shirt is just as disastrous. It says a great deal about its wearer. A buttoned jacket hides nothing: the front of the shirt gives the game away at once. It shows a lack of attention to one’s own image, which suggests low standards for oneself.

2. Clothes that are too casual: what do they say about the wearer?

In many fields, office work has become more relaxed, and dress codes less restrictive. Yet at work, a man represents his company through his conduct. Excessively casual clothes suggest that he does not take his job seriously and has little regard for his colleagues. This category includes loud T-shirts, shorts, tracksuit tops, floral shirts and clothes with vulgar slogans. At the other extreme, an outfit too formal for a relaxed setting is just as questionable and unnecessary.

3. Uncomfortable pieces: do they get in the way unnoticed?

Any item or accessory that gets in the way of work, the wearer’s or anyone else’s, is to be avoided. Shoes that pinch, a tie that strangles, a cloying fragrance and cufflinks that scratch the desk are the last things anyone needs during working hours. They lower productivity and invite reproach. The office is a shared space. Every man is free to make his own choices, but his freedom ends where that of others begins.

4. Fashionable clothes: why are they wrong for the office?

Items very much in vogue, especially with an oversized logo, are best kept out of the office. They draw attention to the wearer and suggest a need for validation to cover an emotional gap. The office is no catwalk. Decency, as ever, is the key to a balanced image.

5. The wrong footwear: what does it say about the wearer?

Many men overlook this point. The wrong shoes can cast even the most expensive suit in a poor light. Shoes are the criterion that separates stylish gentlemen from those merely playing the part. Sandals with socks, neglected shoes or sneakers that leave the ankle bare are among the most questionable choices.

In short, anything that oversteps the mark can cast its wearer in an unfavourable light. It also lowers productivity dramatically. An outfit is a man’s first calling card. Creased shirts, overly casual clothes, awkward pieces, fashionable items or the wrong footwear can all spoil it.