How to Wear Team Colors Without Losing Your Professional Edge

From the Financial District to corporate boardrooms, professionals are increasingly sporting team gear on the clock. While the lines between casual fandom and the workplace have blurred, executive stylist Alison Bruhn warns that wearing an authentic jersey to a client meeting can undermine your professional presence and credibility.

Navigating office attire when you want to show team spirit requires a delicate balance. In industries like finance, banking, or law, overt displays of fandom often clash with the expected standard of polish. Instead of reaching for a stadium-ready jersey, Bruhn suggests opting for subtle nods to your team. For men, a quarter-zip pullover featuring a discreet logo or a themed necktie maintains a sharp silhouette. Women might consider a cashmere sweater in team colors or a polo shirt with minimal branding to achieve a similar effect.

Even as office dress codes lean more casual, footwear choices like team-colored sneakers remain a gray area. Ultimately, your choice should be dictated by your specific company culture and the people you encounter daily. Before dressing for the day, consider your audience. If your work involves high-stakes meetings, prioritize a professional image; the goal is to represent your team without becoming a distraction in the office.