With the increasing democratization of the workplace, dress codes may not seem to matter a great deal, especially in case of jobs which do not have a formal uniform. However, it makes good career sense not to stick out in the office environment on the very first day of work. Here are some tips on deciding what to wear as you start on a new job.

It is a good idea to arrive early for the interview so that you can have a feel of the office environment – how are the employees dressed and whether the interaction is formal or casual. Once you get the job, ask your mentor or someone who has been around for a while about the general do’s and don’ts of the place. It is always safe to inquire about informal rules governing behavior instead of assuming something and then being sorry.

On the first day it is prudent to dress in a simple but elegant manner. One can always elaborate on makeup, shoes or dress in future or on special occasions at the office. Again, wear something can be modified according to the work ethos. For instance, women might dress the first day in a skirt and jacket with a simple top so that if the jacket seems too dressy, it can be taken off later. Likewise men can dress in a two-piece suit and the jacket discarded if the environment is more casual.

The idea is to respect an established work ethos in the first few days and express one’s individuality only when one has been fully integrated into the workplace.

-Kalyani Mookherji