How to Dress Professionally

 As a Probation Officer you will need to know how to dress professionally especially on days while you’re in the office because those are the days that you will appear in court and meet with outside services. You are probably thinking then what will you wear on other days. Well Probation Officers always have a professional/ authoritative look to how they dress. The pictures to the left show what a typical female and male should look like on a office day. The other days you will be out visiting the juveniles on your case load at their schools, homes, or involved with other activities. Those days will call for more of a professional casual look. You may also have polo shirts and jackets from the juvenile probation department you work for that will have a specific logo on them that you may also wear on your out of office days. Such like the picture underneath the two on the left. This would be considering the setting you are working in. Which is the first step on how to dress professionally.

2. Have a variety of appropriate shirts. For men button ups and polo’s in solid, plaid or striped pattern are recommended. Also consider ties. Ties should have no more than 3-4 colors in them if you are wearing a patterned tie. For women, silk blouses and button ups are recommended. For both men and women shirts may be short or long sleeved.

3. Have a variety of appropriate bottoms. The theme is the same for men and women, black, navy blue, khakis, or brown pants. On the dressier side women may wear knee length skirts, solid or slightly patterned, striped dress pants. Dress pants for men also should be solid, or lightly striped. Some dress pants may be grey and then have a darker grey stick up and down the pants (men and women) or the entire suit (men).

**Suits and dresses are also a plus

4. Have a variety of jackets/ sweaters. Men can choose cardigans, blazers, or a sporty coat/ jacket such like the one you will have from the department. Women can wear layered sweaters, cardigans, and structured jackets or also the sports coat from the department.

5. Have a variety of the right shoes. Most and majority of shoes need to be close toed shoes for both men and women. Women may have a small variety with a few open toes heels. Along with those women should have other types of heels, flats and casual lace up shoes.  Men should always have a type of lace up shoe, never wear on slip ons. Dress shoes for men should be leather.

A few things to avoid: jeans, accessories, showing body modifications, repeat outfit wear, and non matching ensembles

Always keep in mind: the weather change, keep your clothes in good condition and not to be too revealing.