6 Office Style Mistakes to Avoid

The corporate world is rife with rules, traditions and expectations. "You gotta pay your dues" and all that stuff. And hey, no one said success comes easy. But the key is to work smarter, not harder right? So try skipping a few steps by upping your style game. Part of getting noticed for your diligence is getting noticed, period. Avoid these common missteps and you'll always look like you're in charge. After all, they don't tell you to "dress for the job you want" for nothing.

Nothing ruins a sharp suit or fresh looking outfit faster than some dusty, beat-up shoes. Whether you're wearing proper leather lace-ups or some minimalist sneakers, you want them looking crisp and clean. A few scuffs and wear is to be expected—these shoes tend to get a lot of miles put on them—but make sure you're keeping an eye on them. Make a habit of cleaning them up every month or so. When they start showing their age, consider having them refurbished, repaired, or donate them and then re-order a new pair.

More and more offices are ditching stodgy dress codes for something a little more comfortable. And, of course, menswear as a whole has gotten more relaxed as of late, but balance will always be one of the fundamental rules of good style. Just remember that at work, being on-trend matters less than being appropriate. You want to be sure that the boss is cool with you wearing a hoodie or layered T-shirt before showing up in your latest Supreme score.