Look the Part I 9 The Appropriate Look It’s probably fair to say that no one is trying to look inappropriate, yet in today’s culture, where a myriad of clothing styles exists, how do we know what is acceptable? Here are some tips to help you decide. Clothing i Remember that you are dressing for work. i Make sure that your clothing is modest, not revealing. i Ask your director for guidance if you have questions. i Err on the side of more professional than less professional. i Choose simple clothing. i Go for more classic styles instead of the current fad. i Select clothing that allows you to move easily and comfortably. Are jeans considered professional? Your professionalism is not determined solely by your appearance; how you act has a greater long-range impact on whether you are seen as professional or not. Many programs feel that jeans are inappropriate for pro- fessionals to wear. If you take your cues from the business world, then jeans don’t usually have a place in your work wardrobe. Consider jeans on Friday or once a month. If jeans are considered professional at your program all the time, that’s okay too. What about sweats? Personally, I don’t think anyone can make sweats look profes- sional. Save them for the gym or lounging at home. A professional look doesn’t include the following. Here are some early child- hood fashion don’ts: i Don’t wear dirty or stained clothing. i Don’t wear torn or worn clothing, even if it’s supposed to look that way. i Don’t let your undergarments show through your clothes or when you bend down or bend over. being a professional Jeans and Sweats