We’ve blogged about business networking in every shape and form: reviews, strategies, techniques, insights but never, ever fashion. Guest blogger Emmi Sorokin, a national men’s stylist, says it’s just as important.

As we all know when it comes to business networking first impressions are key and often determine the quality of connections you make. You get only one shot to come across as confident and competent from the start and your goal is to make people want to get to know you better after the initial meeting. Personality and interpersonal communication skills can take you very far, but it all starts with you looking like a quality connection yourself.

A Poorly Dressed Networker in Action

Clothing greatly impacts a key component of networking effectively, confidence. And if you’re not taking advantage of that, you’re missing out. The good news is that dressing well really doesn’t require that much more effort than looking just OK, once you’ve learned some basics. So what does that actually mean for the individual as he sets forth into the fray of a networking event? Start by making sure that you aren’t making any of these common mistakes. If you are, I given you the fix for each as well so on you can improve your chances of making an excellent first impression.

Poorly Fitting or Dated Clothes-

Men tend to select clothing that is too large for their frame, inadvertently making themselves look frumpy rather than masculine. They also hang onto to items in their closet way past the expiration date (think pleated dress slacks). Even worse than that, your peers don’t have to be fashion-savvy to spot your aged threads. Over the past decade, a shift in style has emphasized a slim silhouette. The leaner fit is has become so commonplace that anything lacking a tailored look stands out like a Hummer in a lot of Honda Priuses. It doesn’t take a GQ subscriber to see which of these things is not like the other, and the last thing you want is to give the impression that you or your skills are anything less than current.

Above: Traditional cut shirt and khakis engulf his frame.

The Fix:
Many brands now offer dress shirts in a slimmer cut, a welcome improvement over the traditional boxy fit for a lot of men. These more flattering styles are available from Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, Geoffrey Beene, etc. The slimmer fit will be notated on the shirt’s tag using terms like City Fit, Modern Cut, and Tailored. This attention to body flattering lines has not stopped at the waist. Pants, from casual jeans to wool dress slacks and every fabric in between now come in a variety of fits as well.

Above: Modern cut dress shirt and slim straight cut khakis

Too Casual- You don’t have to wear a suit and tie to look professional or to be dressed well. Although internet casual has been embraced by the many, the T-shirt and jeans combo is not the new suit, except maybe in Los Angeles. The key to looking professional without resorting to suiting up is to make sure everything you have on fits well, appears new and clean with attention paid to the details. Clothing that is wrinkled or looks to be in less than excellent condition does not portray a solid professional image.

Above: Baggy jeans and T-shirt

The Fix:
Choose jeans with a darker wash (but not black) because they look dressier than their light blue counterparts. Select slacks that have a small amount of Lycra in the fabric, this will help them retain their shape throughout the day. If you aren’t going to wear a sport coat or suit  add another distinguishing touch by wearing a french cuff dress shirt with cuff links or a well made, lightweight sweater. For dress shirts use metal collar stays to ensure your collar won’t curl and stays stiff.

Above: Darker wash slim cut jean and quarter zip sweater

Above: Collars show wear on a shirt, keep them straight and stiff with metal stays (below)

Losing Your Distinction-

Don’t default to the lowest-common-denominator mentality when it comes to business casual (Polo+Khaki, sound familiar?), and internet casual doesn’t mean reverting back to looking like an intern. Yet while you want to avoid losing your identity in a sea of lackluster polos and khakis, be careful not to confuse distinction with flash.

Above: The ubiquitous polo and khaki

The Fix:
Pick up updated versions of the business casual classics with subtle creative detailing. From a distance you’ll simply look well put together and up close there is even more to admire.  Rather than black pants select a pair with a subtle plaid or pinstripe. Also consider a button down shirt with a patterned weave instead of a solid. When it comes to sweaters opt for a deep blue or forest green instead of grey. It’s actually easier to set yourself apart as a leader in a business casual atmosphere because the majority of your colleagues will be opting for the uninspired default polo and khaki uniform.

Above: Deep blue v-neck sweater and grey glen plaid slacks

Above: White stripe weave dress shirt, distinct but not flashy

The hard fact of the matter is that first impressions count. Especially when you network for business. Making a good, lasting impression isn’t all about what you say or how you act, it includes your personal style. Make sure your’s isn’t saying the wrong thing.

Emmi Sorokin is a national men’s image stylist and Founder of It’s a Man’s World Image Consulting, the first and only image and style firm in New England exclusively for men. Dressing her clients for personal and professional success, Emmi has been quoted in national magazines such as Research and Men’s Health. As one client put it, “Emmi is the only men’s image consultant who is frugal, brutally honest, speaks fluent man-ese, and has rabid fans.” You can follow Emmi on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/AskEmmi and get more style guidance at www.amansworldco.com/wordpress.