What to wear to a client visit?

12 August 2025. Editor · Melissa · Social Media Editor

For a client visit, you match your clothes to the client, the sector and the location. Choose neutral colours, a well-fitting shirt or blouse, a smart trouser and polished shoes. The outfit should above all be polished and not distract unnecessarily. If you do not know the dress code, ask beforehand or look at the company's website and photos.

Hamilton cotton shirt with Italian collar for men in light blue | Issu & Lloyd

Why your clothes count at a client visit

A client forms an impression of you within seconds. That is not about brands or prices, but about care: does everything fit well, is everything clean and does it suit the situation? Polished clothes suit a meeting in which professionalism is central.

A practical rule of thumb is not to arrive clearly more informal than the client. If the client wears a shirt without a tie, you come in a shirt and a cardigan or jacket. If the client wears a suit, you also choose a suit or a smart combination. If in doubt, it is better to ask about the dress code beforehand.

First assess the dress code

Look at the website. Team photos say a lot about the clothing style of the company.
Ask your contact person. "What is the dress code at your company?" is a normal question.
Think about the sector. Financial services and legal firms dress more formally than creative agencies or start-ups.
Choose the smallest risk. You can always take off a jacket or loosen a tie, but not the other way round.

For men: shirt, trouser and an extra layer

The Hamilton shirt in light blue is made of 100% cotton and has an Italian collar. Light blue is a calm business colour. Wear it with the Ulysses trouser in taupe grey, a slim-fit herringbone trouser made of 66.7% polyester, 31.5% viscose and 1.8% elastane. The fine structure gives depth without becoming busy.

Add the Maximilian cardigan in beige, a wool cardigan with a business cut made of 100% wool. That gives you an extra layer for a cool office, which also works like a jacket if you do not want to wear the shirt loose. For a less formal client you can replace the shirt with the Edmund in charcoal melange, a fine-knit polo with quarter zip made of 100% lyocell.

For women: blouse, trouser and a calm whole

The Seraphine in light blue is a fitted blouse with a white collar and cuffs, made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester. The contrasting collar gives the blouse a polished, almost classic character. Wear it with the Arabelli in black, a high-waist trouser with pleats and 5% elastane. Together they form a simple, business-like combination. Take a look at more in our women's blouses collection.

Colours that inspire trust

Colour	Message
Light blue	Calm and light
Navy and charcoal	Dark and business-like
Taupe and beige	Warm and neutral
White	Clear and polished
Black	Dark and formal

Choose a maximum of three colours in your outfit, and let one of them be the main colour. That keeps the whole calm and professional.

Practical on location

Travel time: if you come from far, think about how your clothes travel. Hang a shirt on a hanger in the car, lay a knitted piece flat.
Parking and walking: take shoes in which you can walk some distance comfortably.
Weather conditions: rain and wind can affect your hair and clothes. A coat or umbrella in a calm colour prevents hassle.
Shaking hands: a neat cuff and well-kept nails are small details that stand out.
Presentation: if you stand in front of a group, choose a top in which you can move comfortably and that does not shift when you raise your arm.

First meeting or follow-up?

At a first meeting the first impression weighs the most, so go a little more formal. At a follow-up with a client you already know, you may be a little looser, as long as you stick to the tone of the relationship. If the client has seen you in a suit before, it is wise not to suddenly appear in a T-shirt. Above all, take into account what is usual within the client relationship.

Another good reason to start more formally: you are the guest. As a guest on location, polished clothing is a simple way to respect the setting.

At a company visit on location

If your visit goes beyond an office, for example to a production site, a building site or a warehouse, other rules apply. Ask beforehand about safety regulations and shoes, because some places require closed, sturdy shoes. Then choose a trouser that can take a knock and leave the white shirt at home or cover it with a coat. At the company itself you can always put on your blazer or cardigan for the meeting.

What you had better leave out

Leave striking logos, large jewellery, strong perfume and torn or worn shoes at home. Very tight or very loose clothing also draws attention. A client visit is about the conversation, not about your outfit. Make sure everything is ironed and clean: a crease in a shirt stands out more than you think.

Laying out an outfit the evening before

The evening before the visit, lay everything out, including shoes, belt and bag. Try the combination on once and sit down for a moment. Check that nothing pulls or has shrunk, and that no stains have appeared since you last wore it. Those five minutes prevent stress on the morning itself and give you a calm feeling when you walk in. You can then direct all your attention to the client.

Do you want to build a fixed work wardrobe with pieces that go together? Then take a look at our men's shirts collection or the Office for Men collection, where you will find a base for every business appointment.