So you’ve made it as a leader in your field. Congratulations!
But…
- Do you have a CEO style that reflects the success, prestige, and power behind your position?
- Does it command respect from your peers and those looking up to you in their careers?
- Does it help you to feel prepared and well-equipped for anything on your calendar, whether it’s a meeting or event?
You don’t have to be a CEO to have “CEO style.” You just have to use your wardrobe to expand your influence and create the right first impression.
In fact, dressing for success has become so important, that according to The Wall Street Journal, more and more white-collar guys are turning to personal stylists to help them look the part.
One of those styling services is us, Next Level Wardrobe.
We work with corporate clients, help men develop their personal brand, and then we align their wardrobe choices with that brand for maximum impact in the workplace.
We help you dress in a way that supports your story: your road to success, values, leadership style, and more.
Whatever message you want to deliver, you can use the proper CEO attire to enhance that point.
Want to know how to dress like a CEO? Keep reading for pictures and style breakdowns of five male CEOs. We’ll walk you through why their wardrobe choices can work for you – no matter your age or build.
Table of Contents
1. Ryan Reynolds Daily Driver CEO Attire
A busy CEO has many events on their calendar. From work to weekends they need to be prepared for whatever the day throws at them. We’re not just talking about having great business instincts and knowledge in their field. Your wardrobe should also be ready for anything.
We at NLW help you do just that by implementing a simple system that every single client can work with. It’s called the NLW Style System.
The basic principles of this system are:
- Focus on core colors (black, white, navy blue, and gray).
- Prioritize fit over trends or momentary convenience.
- Invest in high-quality items that you’ll use regularly.
Business mogul and actor Ryan Reynolds is a great example of that first step.
Reynolds not only stars in blockbuster hits, he also heads up companies like Aviator Gin, and Mint Mobile, but also owns the Wrexham Football Club.
Since he wears so many different hats, his wardrobe needs to be just as versatile. A great way to get the most mileage out of your clothing is by focusing on core colors. Neutrals like black, navy blue, white, and gray go with everything. They go with other core colors as well as statement hues like a fiery red or lush green.
The outfit above is a prime example of that.
His combination of black pants, a layered beige sweater, a navy jacket, and white trainers make for an effortless yet timeless, put-together CEO look.
He could easily dress this up by swapping out his sneakers for dress shoes and switching to a sportscoat. Just like that, he’d be ready for a formal dinner with business partners.
But for a day at Wrexham’s STōK Cae Ras field, this look is the right balance of casual yet polished.
2. How to Dress Like a CEO: The Rock’s Heavyweight Style
As Executive Image Consultants, we often hear clients are confused about what’s appropriate to wear to certain events. What do you wear to a board meeting versus an investor call? Can you wear the same thing to a ribbon-cutting ceremony that you’d wear to a fundraiser or a gala?
There’s no clear-cut manual for all those questions. And as a busy CEO, you don’t have time to figure it out.
That’s where an experienced stylist can come to the rescue and sort out how to dress like a CEO.
Check out this look from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson when he was on the New York Stock Exchange. He was joining the Board of Directors for TKO Group Holdings and ringing the bell to open the market.
You may know The Rock for his adventurous and fashion-forward style choices, but for this occasion, his stylist knew to pare back his look.
(That’s a mark of a great stylist: they know there’s a time and place for experimentation.)
For this, The Rock needed a more serious yet modern and well-tailored look.
He opted for what we call the “One and Done” outfit formula, which is one of our favorites. Why? Because it’s easy to put together and pull off.
The One and Done outfit formula means wearing the same color from head to toe.
Here, The Rock sports all-black. But while this look is monochromatic, it’s not monotonous.
He adds a contemporary twist with a leather bomber jacket. This modern silhouette keeps this CEO outfit feeling fresh.
Plus, don’t overlook his accessories. He’s opted for a subtle pair of glasses when he usually goes bare-face. And, he’s still found a way to incorporate a bit of personal flair with his pinky ring.
3. Seth Rogan’s Refreshing CEO Fashion
Inevitably, there will be an event on a male CEO’s calendar where he has to dress up in suits. But it doesn’t have to be a traditional navy suit, white button down, and leather darbys (Yawn!)
CEO style doesn’t have to be boring.
In fact, suiting can help you make a statement or show your point of view through style.
That’s where an experienced stylist comes in handy. They can ensure you stand out from the crowd without looking like you’re trying too hard. They’ll put a spotlight on your personal brand without making a scene.
Want inspiration for this type of CEO fashion? Look to comedian and producer Seth Rogan.
Notice how Sethi pulls off two different types of suits. In the image above, his mustard suit has texture, interest, and a bold color. This is the type of suit you wear when you want to make a statement. Or if you’re headed to a more modern or lighthearted event.
But what about when you need to fit a more formal environment?
This suit is perfect for more traditional events where you just want to go with the flow.
He’s wearing what could be a traditional black suit, but he’s spruced it up a bit. He’s ditched the tie, embraced a subtle stripe, and gone for a looser fit.
And similar to how The Rock added a ring and glasses to his CEO look, Seth’s also accessorized with out-of-the-box shoes. Instead of opting for old-school oxfords or brogues, he’s switched it up with lug-sole loafers with embellishments.
Lately, men have been dipping their toes more and more into the world of jewelry, shoes, and even brooches. If you want to show off your style skills, try adding an accessory to your ensemble.
4. Hasan Minhaj’s Newsworthy CEO Looks
One of the most common questions we get is, “What do I wear when it’s so HOT outside?”
Our advice? Keep it simple!
While you won’t be able to do the cool layering pieces that you’d typically wear in cooler months, you can make up for that. How? With impeccable fit and a strategic color palette.
Take this CEO outfit from comedian Hasan Minhaj. He wore this look during a sweltering September in New York.
Not only did this outfit keep him cool however, it all looked good.
Notice how the pieces he’s wearing aren’t too loose and baggy or too tight. They look comfortable yet tailor-made for him.
And again, see how he’s leaning into core colors. Neutrals like white and navy blue reign supreme and will never steer you wrong.
We like how he lightened up his outfit by wearing a white shirt instead of a black or darker color. Same with his pants, the navy blue feels more approachable and seasonal than black.
When it’s hot outside, lighter colors are the way to go.
5. CEO Outfits Made Easy: Steve Harvey
If you’re a CEO or looking to climb the corporate ladder, time is extremely valuable to you. You don’t have time to waste trying to figure out what to wear every morning.
You need a closet that serves your needs and takes unnecessary stress off your plate.
That’s why we love outfit formulas like the “One and Done” formula we mentioned before. Another variation on this formula? The 1-2-3 outfit formula.
The idea is simple. Wear one core color on top, and one on the bottom, and finish your look with an accent piece or another core color.
Steve Harvey executes this look perfectly in the photo above.
While guesting on Hoda Kotb’s podcast, he wore a black shirt, and pants, and pulled it all together with a pop of pizazz.
While his layering piece may be in another neutral color, it’s anything but ordinary.
His cardigan’s drapey silhouette feels modern and cool, instantly taking his CEO attire from basic to expert.
This formula is easy to execute and remember, making it perfect for the CEO on the go.
Elevate Your CEO Look
Have we inspired you to level up your CEO looks? Get the expert help you need and apply for Next Level Wardrobe’s Men’s style services. We’ve got a team ready to help you identify and embrace your personal brand through clothing.
