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Permalink Reply by Leo Doom Occulta on August 12, 2009 at 8:20pm

What type of company do you work for?

What do you make/sell/do?

How professional are you expected to appear and act?

Is your clientele upper class or normal?

We can help you more once we have some more info :)

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on August 13, 2009 at 6:11am

Company is a carpet cleaning company. We do carpet, upholstery, stone tile/grout, leather, etc...

Of course, we want to appear as professional as possible. My boss didn't shell out that money for kicks, right? :) The target demo is upper class women, 35-64, and anything else you might have is appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Leo Doom Occulta on August 13, 2009 at 9:10am

Considering all the things you mentioned, I would recommend a blazer (not navy), collared shirt, tie and odd trousers. A suit might seem a bit formal, or even out of place, when potential customers see the company's line of work. However, the blazer combo will have you looking spiffy w/o looking like you're trying too hard.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Norris on August 13, 2009 at 9:34am

Joseph,

All though college I managed and bought for an upscale store, dressing people from the governor to local businessmen. I learned several no fail rules during my stint -

1) It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

2) Stay with the classics. While it's OK to ad some current flair to you wardrobe (ex. - a tie ), don't be a trend follower. If you follow the trends you'll look back a photo's every few years and laugh at what you wore, as will others.

3) Dress like yourself. Don't try to be someone else or no matter what garb you're wearing you will look costumed. Clothing should look effortless.

If your demographic is upscale women at broadway shows then i would suggest the following -

You can't go wrong with a suit. To be true to the nature of your business, leave out the tie. You will appear more relaxed and believable. you may also go with a dress shirt and slacks or a dressy polo style shirt with slacks. If it's cold out, throw a sport coat over the polo. You can't go wrong with these classic looks.

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Permalink Reply by Leo Doom Occulta on August 13, 2009 at 12:00pm

I think it's better to wear an odd coat and trousers with a tie that a suit without a tie.

A suit without a tie is like an ice cream sundae without a cherry - something's missing, small, but integral. Moreover, a tie-less suit might make you look "hip" rather than professional, which I think you're trying to avoid.

My recommendation:
Odd Jacket. Try a tan tweed/plaid or grey herringbone if you can get one and it's not too hot. Otherwise, see if you can get linen/cotton if it's going to be sweltering outside.

Odd trouser. Not black. Not Khaki. Black is boring and trite. Same with Khaki. Try a navy trouser.

Tie. Something simple. A pin dot or repp stripe.

Shirt. White, long sleeve. Not a button down collar.

Shoes. Brown captoes, well-polished.

Make sure you're clean shaven!

I think this outfit will make you look professional, but not too dressy for the line of work that you do.

I would not recommend a polo or short sleeve shirt - they're too casual for that you're trying to do.

If you want to do the suit, just please, god, make sure it's not black. Navy, charcoal, lighter grey, plaid, all acceptable. Black is just too slick and fashiony.

With the suit, I'd wear white shirt, brown or black polished shoes, repp tie, and white square folded pocket square. Look sharp as you can!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Norris on August 13, 2009 at 1:01pm

Please keep in mind that when I say Polo shirt, I mean a nice dress polo..and that's long sleeve not short. I'm not speaking of those casual shirts with a logo on them. I'm talking double mercerized cotton (sea island if you have have the means).
I agree completely about black. Stay away from it unless you're wearing a tux! Do keep in mind one of my rules...you have to dress so that you are you and not someone else.

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Permalink Reply by Leo Doom Occulta on August 13, 2009 at 1:17pm

"Do keep in mind one of my rules...you have to dress so that you are you and not someone else."

+100.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on August 14, 2009 at 6:04am

Considering it's Broadway on Roanoke (unsure exactly what that means, but) I was considering suit at minimum, perhaps tux.

As for marketing materials, what's good? Wife has suggested fountain pens, and we've got a budget around $10k. I think kPerhaps one nice pen, and 5 decent ones with the name on it...as for a bulletin board, we need upgrading. Would it be too much to set up demo's where I allow various people to "spill" stuff on carpet (ink, fingernail polish, mustard) and remove it for them? I dunno...

Thanks for all the advice, though, guys.

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Permalink Reply by Leo Doom Occulta on August 14, 2009 at 10:22am

Unless the people in Roanoake dress better than Manhattan theater goers, I would not wear a tux. It might come off too uptight, like you're a butler or waiter.

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