By: AskMen.com, a Special to Overdrive

Even Thoreau, not a superficial man in the least, calls attention to the inherent power of clothes; they are a key indication and reinforcement of our social standing.

In the world of business attire, it has been said to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. So, unless you’re the CEO, you should be dressing to the nines every day. The situation gets tricky, however, due to the relaxing standards in today’s corporate culture. Business attire has been interrupted by “casual,” and the softening approach to what’s acceptable to wear to the office has diluted the waters.

There was a time when suits were the standard, and men looked dapper, polished and professional. Today, that’s seldom the case. In the modern office, dress pants and button-up shirts are the new measure — and that’s fine to a certain degree. But the fact remains that the professional arena calls for more concerted effort from time to time. (Important announcement: A first interview should always be conducted in a suit and tie, regardless.) You should have varying degrees of business attire on standby, ready to go at a moment’s notice. Try throwing in a tie on a random day just to catch your co-workers off-guard. They will start to take note, and one of them may just be your boss or your boss’s boss.

Business Attire on AskMen

Your physical presentation is a manifestation of your professional investment. To play the part, you’ve got to look the part. We’re dedicated to helping you get there. When it comes to business attire, there’s a host of items to consider, from cuff links to shirt collars. Getting the right look can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered. To be sure your business attire makes you a rising star or a model employee, we’ll advise you on such things as office no-nos, the latest haircuts and professional accessories. Not to mention you’ll find a plethora of fashion advice on suits, tailoring and men’s fashion in general. If you want to keep you business attire current, then just keep your eyes on us — and we’ll help you keep all eyes on you.

Business attire fact

More than $1 billion is spent annually on men’s neckties in the United States. If you’re spending $120 on a quality tie, then that’s equal to over 830,000 ties purchased each year.