Making the
perfect impression:
Your Glion guide to professional image 2024-2025
First impressions count – and nowhere more than in hospitality, luxury and the experience economy. How we present ourselves is fundamental to the impression we make on those we meet; at the same time, the dress and grooming of our community underscores the excellence which is our hallmark as an institution.
This guide, for staff and students, sets out expectations on dress and appearance. The aim is for all members of the Glion community to adopt appropriate professional standards, but at the same time to be as inclusive as possible, so that each of us can express our individual personalities while making the perfect impression.
Making the
perfect impression:
Your Glion guide to professional image 2024-2025
First impressions count – and nowhere more than in hospitality, luxury and the experience economy. How we present ourselves is fundamental to the impression we make on those we meet; at the same time, the dress and grooming of our community underscores the excellence which is our hallmark as an institution.
This guide, for staff and students, sets out expectations on dress and appearance. The aim is for all members of the Glion community to adopt appropriate professional standards, but at the same time to be as inclusive as possible, so that each of us can express our individual personalities while making the perfect impression.
Everyone belongs at Glion
Each of us treasures the diversity that exists within our community. When compiling these guidelines, we’ve endeavored to be inclusive to the diversities in nationality, gender and culture which make our campuses such lively and dynamic environments.
This is not a static process – our guidelines will evolve to keep pace with changes in wider society, while always remaining true to the values that encompass the Glion Spirit.
Why is professional image important for students?
Teaching students how to ‘present very well’ is an essential element of the transformative education we provide. As part of your study pathway with us, you will develop a thorough understanding of what ‘professional’ means and why it’s so important to your ultimate career success. A foundation of your professional mindset is a professional image.
Here’s what recruiters say:
“Recruiting top talent from hotel schools such as Glion… they present very well, are articulate, and they know what they want.”
Paul Clark, Former Group Director of Human Resources, Mandarin Oriental
Why is professional image important for staff?
The Glion professional image applies to everyone within our community, being just as important – if not more so – for staff.
As staff members, you personify the institution; you are the role models for our students and the professionalism of your approach inspires similar behavior throughout the student body.
When do our professional image standards apply?
Our Business Professional guidelines apply during the working day on campus (Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 18:00) and must be respected on all Glion premises including main buildings and outdoor areas. Should any classes extend beyond 18:00 the guidelines still apply.
They also apply for all official events and scheduled activities on and off campus – including remote meetings, field trips, discovery trips, industry visits, and masterclasses.
During the summer months (June, July & August), the following adjustments might be made to the professional image standards:
- Shirts: short-sleeved shirts, polo shirts, and blouses are acceptable
- Jacket: can be taken off
- Tie: men are welcome to take off their ties
- Footwear: women are allowed to wear dress sandals
- Tights: can be taken off
How do I know if I'm meeting the standard of appearance expected of me?
We offer plenty of practical guidance below. Ultimately, though, these are the questions to ask yourself:
“Am I being respectful to my values and to the Glion community?”
“Is this how I’d present myself at an interview for my dream job?”
“Do I lead by example?”
If you can answer “yes” to all three questions, you’ll almost certainly be meeting our standards!
What happens if I don't meet the professional image standards?
Making the best possible impression on others is common sense and something we should all aspire to. As such, we encourage students and staff to have transparent conversations with their classmates or colleagues if they find their professional image inappropriate and not corresponding to our standards.
Anyone not meeting our standards will be given the opportunity to change into more appropriate attire and/or to undertake a little personal grooming. That’s almost always sufficient, although we do reserve the right to refuse admission to classrooms or on-campus outlets if a student or staff member has not taken the opportunity to professionalize their appearance.
What does 'professional' look like?
In this section, we highlight the standards for your appearance across the three most common scenarios you’ll encounter on campus:
Business professional
This is how you present yourself during the working day on campus, unless you are in practical classes, in which case professional uniform standards apply (see next section).
Personal appearance
- Hair can be to your preferred length and style, but must be kept neat and tidy
- Beards (max. 1cm), goatees and mustaches are acceptable as long as they show clear signs of daily upkeep (shaved sides, clear lines) and only if grown prior to the start of the semester – otherwise faces should be clean shaven each day
- Make-up must be natural and discreet
- Non-obtrusive jewelry can be worn
- Nail polish should be classic
A good business dress sense
Fabrics & colors
- Wool/light wool, polyester (for suits); silk, silk blends, cotton/poly blends (for shirts/blouses)
- Tops/blouses can be bright colors or have discreet patterns
- For suits, we recommend classic colors: e.g. black, navy blue, brown, dark or light gray
- Lighter/brighter colors may be worn, but suits or separate combinations should be professional-looking and color coordinated
- Pinstripe, plain or plaid fabrics are all acceptable
What to wear?
Top half:
- Wearing a jacket is mandatory – however, jackets may be removed and placed on the back of your chair while seated in class, outlets, staff offices and student spaces
- Make sure to wear a business tie, bow tie
- Fine necktie or business scarf around your neck – all should be neatly fitted/adjusted
- Shirts must be a classic pattern, long-sleeved, tucked in, with cuffs buttoned Short-sleeved shirts are allowed in the summer months (June-September)
- Blouses can be long- or short-sleeved. They should be fitted but not skin tight and no longer than your jacket. Sleeveless tops, round and V-neck tops are also accepted
- Pullovers of plain and discreet color can be worn under a jacket; also pullovers with V-neck collar or a waistcoat can be worn over a shirt with a tie and under a jacket
- Turtle-neck tops can be worn with a jacket
Bottom half:
- Suit trousers should be full length (male/female) or just above the ankle (female only)
- Skirts and dresses should be no shorter than the height of a credit card above the knee
- Tights/stockings are mandatory when wearing a dress or skirt (plain and classical colors, skin or black).
- Shoes must be polished, elegant, closed and one color
What does unprofessional look like?
Inappropriate personal appearance
- Unnatural hair colors
- Piercings and other face-jewelry (nose, tongue, lips, brow line, other parts of the ear except the lobe)
- Visible tattoo
- Caps, hats and sunglasses must not be worn inside the school
A bad business dress sense
Fabrics & colors
- Denim, jersey, leather, spandex
- 100% linen or any easily wrinkled material
- Chiffon or see-through (transparent)
- Satin, sequins, rhinestones, feathers
- Fluorescent colors
What not to wear
Top half:
- Cardigan instead of a jacket
- Tops with spaghetti straps, with midriff showing, deep V-neck either in front or in the back
- Transparent blouses or tops with visible underwear
- Blouse or top hanging below hem of jacket
Bottom half:
- Skin tight trousers, Capri trousers, jeans or leggings, shorts including Bermuda shorts
- Skin tight skirts
- Linen, chinos, Dockers, skintight pants, jeans, three-quarter trousers, velvet or corduroy trousers
- Sneakers, sports shoes, sandals, ballerina slippers, open shoes
- Platform shoes or wedge heels
- Sport socks, socks with patterns, stripes or bright colors
Fabrics & colors
- Denim, jersey, leather, spandex
- 100% linen or any easily wrinkled material
- Chiffon or see-through (transparent)
- Satin, sequins, rhinestones, feathers
- Fluorescent colors
What not to wear
Top half:
- Cardigan instead of a jacket
- Tops with spaghetti straps, with midriff showing, deep V-neck either in front or in the back
- Transparent blouses or tops with visible underwear
- Blouse or top hanging below hem of jacket
Bottom half:
- Skin tight trousers, Capri trousers, jeans or leggings, shorts including Bermuda shorts
- Skin tight skirts
- Linen, chinos, Dockers, skintight pants, jeans, three-quarter trousers, velvet or corduroy trousers
- Sneakers, sports shoes, sandals, ballerina slippers, open shoes
- Platform shoes or wedge heels
- Sport socks, socks with patterns, stripes or bright colors
Professional uniform
Professional uniforms are reserved for students and staff engaged in practical activities, such as those taking place during the first semester of our Bachelor’s degrees. These uniforms help everyone to stay clean and safe, as well as preventing damage to Business Professional wear.
New Bachelor students should refer to the Practical Arts presentation for details about which uniforms should be worn in the different workshops.
Professional uniforms are also applicable to staff who need bespoke clothing for safety, hygienic or occupational reasons.
Casual wear
On weekdays outside of the designated Business Professional hours, and at weekends, you are free to adopt a more casual appearance.
That said, nothing about your appearance should be ‘over the top’ – you are an ambassador for Glion and our values at all times. And it goes without saying that nothing you wear should be distracting or offensive to others within our community. That means no torn clothing, visible underwear, or provocative/political messaging on tops or T-shirts, for example.
As a guide, think ‘business casual’ with emphasis on the ‘business’ above the ‘casual’.
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