What accessories should you wear to your civilian job?
Cell phones, personal organizers and watches should all look and sound professional.
by Rita Gworek 

When you dress for business, everything you wear must also say business. So your watch, rings, briefcase, wallet, MP3, CD players, cell phones and personal electronic organizers should look and sound professional. For example, you do not want your cell phone ringing out a song if you forget to turn it off during a meeting. Be sure that all of the ring tones, messages and other recordings are professional when you are using them in a business setting. Keep it professional and make sure the appearance of your gadgets fits a business dress code.

1. Watches
Watches for a business suit should be the highest quality you can afford. It can have a dark-colored leather band or a metal band in gold or silver. It should have a flat, plain face – your watch should only tell time. If you need to know every time zone in the world, that information should be available on your personal electronic organizer. So keep the watch simple and professional. A Rolex would be reserved for a high-powered position. The organization may think you don’t need a job if you can afford a Rolex.

2. Rings
Rings can include your wedding band and a graduation ring. Any other rings should only be worn for social events. Too many rings can be a distraction. When wearing a business suit, your accessories should look professional. Pinky rings and lots of stones in a ring should be reserved for dress-up evenings and other social occasions.

3. Wallet
Your wallet is not a filing cabinet – it should not look like George Costanza’s wallet on “Seinfeld.” A low-profile or checkbook style is best. It is placed in the inside pocket of your suit. Normally you keep your identification, credit cards and dollar bills in it. Every night remove any items you do not need to carry with you. A Velcro style wallet is used only with very casual attire, if at all.

I have not mentioned earrings, bracelets or necklaces. The reason: You should never wear these accessories with a business suit. The only acceptable bracelet would be a memorial-style bracelet. You do not want to cause any controversy or conflict by what you choose to wear. Someone may not like what you are wearing and therefore may not treat you fairly.

Lapel pins usually designate an association or a preference. It can be a great icebreaker. However, you also could offend someone around you without knowing it, creating an unwelcome experience.

Tie chains are a nice accessory to secure your tie without damaging it like clips and pins sometimes do. The tie chain has motion to it, so it can become a distraction when speaking with others.

If you carefully consider everything you wear when dressing for corporate America, you should have no problem looking professional and making a good first impression.

© Copyright 2010, Rita Gworek is a presenter for the TAP/ACAP seminars on “Dressing for Success.” A master tailor, she is an image consultant in the Washington, D.C., area.