We’ve all seen them – The “Young Professionals” walking out of their offices into a Happy Hour Bar, and we think to ourselves, “Wow – they must be successful – look at their expensive clothes!” They seem to have a natural movement in a well-fitted suit, perfect tie/sock/pocket square combo.

But then right behind them, from the loft-studio office complexes come the jeans-and-plaid-button-down kids who you assume are in design or something “fun.” You think, “I bet they go into work late and their bosses don’t care if they have drunk photos on Facebook.”

Irrespective of whether you aspire to be the suit or the tattered jeans worker, we are in a society of superficiality; and how you “look” tends to predetermine how you’re perceived in the work place. Subsequently arises the dilemma of how to dress when you want that dream job…or even just an interview!

Even though you may want the dream design job where you can let you’re creative juices flow – you just don’t feel comfortable working, or interviewing in jeans and a vintage McDonald’s T-shirt. Conversely, you may be the next Wall Street mogul (hopefully with a conscience) – but you’ll be damned if you’re going to drop $500+ on a suit, just to sit behind a desk all day.

Sure, it would be excellent if we could change these rules and have our merit and hard work be the only basis for our progression in life; however for the present it is not possible to change the game. So it’s up to us to learn to play by the rules and maybe, in good old Gen-Y fashion, bend them while we’re at it!

Of course, the particular industry you aspire to work in determines how one should dress. Naturally, sales and finance positions place more emphasis and appreciation on traditional and formal wardrobe rather than a position in creative design or IT development.

Now, I’m not saying dress drab. You can put color into that dull suit with colorful ties, pocket squares, shirts, shoes and even earrings (but not door-knockers. This is not the ’80s, ladies).

Even mixing up patterns can break up the monotony. A plaid shirt, with a diagonal striped tie can do the trick – just make sure that one of those patterns is the dominate design and the other is modest.

As far as working in a creative environment – this is still an interview, don’t forget that! A suit, or at minimum slacks and a button-down (ties if you’re a dude) would be most appropriate to show you are professional  – let your creative works show your wild side before your wardrobe.

Don’t be afraid to ask during your interview what the customary work attire is like so you won’t be the only kid in a monkey suit amongst the wash of what may seem to be a American Apparel Ad.

In either situation, the most important aspect of looking your best, is being comfortable, and in the wise, wise words of Tim Gunn, fashion consultant, “make it work.” If you are comfortable and confident, then you will project that out into the world!

Wearing ill-fitted attired that leaves you adjusting your outfit every five minutes will signal to employers that you are not comfortable in what you’re wearing.

We didn’t make the rule of this game, but there are guidelines set in place for a reason. We have to find it within ourselves to be adept to adapt and put our best and most comfortable foot forward…be it in a pair of Johnston Murphy’s or throwback Keds.