Dress for success
In this article:
- Clothing and what it says about you
- Dressing for success
- What to wear to work
When last have you taken a critical look at your work clothing? What does your outward appearance say about you? Is this the message that you wish to convey?
While we may be taught from a young age never to judge a book by its cover, people do nonetheless judge others on their outward appearances. Various assumptions are made based on what people wear to a job interview, meeting or work. Judgements may even be based on the shoes people wear.
“People make amazing assumptions about your professional credibility and potential performance based upon your appearance during a first meeting,” says mental coach and life skills facilitator, Margaret Drake. “It is very difficult to overcome a poor first impression, regardless of your knowledge or expertise. To be successful you have to plan the professional image that you want to project. If you were meeting a cardiologist for the first time and he was dressed in shorts, a stained t-shirt, flip-flops and had unruly hair, would you trust him? Our clothes can silently tell others if we are only interested in fashion or money, that we don’t care, or are way too casual and not interested in doing serious work, or that we have no confidence and low self-esteem.”
While these assumptions may not be remotely accurate, they are still made and believed. Just as your clothes can give clues to others about you, they can boost your own confidence too. If you know that you look great then you will often feel the part and exude self-confidence. What you wear can also have an opposite effect. Not being appropriately dressed for the occasion can leave you feeling unsettled and lacking in confidence, this can be conveyed through your body language.
What to wear
- Consider the message you want to convey through your attire. This will depend on the occasion, what position you hold and what is expected of you at the specific event or your general workday. If you are going for a job interview you want to convey a message of self-confidence and professionalism. “Always do research on the company so that you are dressed to the specific company policy,” advises Drake. “If the company has a casual policy, it is still preferable to go smart-casual, but not over-the-top.”
- Always present yourself cleanly and neatly, take personal hygiene seriously. “If you go to work dressed professionally, you will feel a sense of confidence and others will sense your self-assurance,” says Drake. “Many employers interpret your appearance in terms of what you know about the world around you and what attention you give to detail.”
- Consider the comfort and fit of clothing. Drakes says that it is important to consider your body type when choosing clothing for work and not just the fashion of the day. Not all styles suit every body type. You should feel comfortable in your clothing, but also consider that an oversized t-shirt, while comfortable, is not appropriate business attire.
- If your company provides uniforms for staff, choose outfits that suit your body shape. If you don’t feel comfortable then you are unlikely to feel confident.
- Don’t assume that to be ‘well dressed’ you have to wear that latest pricey brand name labels. There are numerous clothing stores that provide good quality workwear at reasonable prices.
- When buying work attire, consider what you currently have, then look for items that can mix and match with these.
- For women, select blouses or sweaters that provide visual interest. “Avoid transparent or tight-fitting clothing, tops with low necklines and clothing with revealing waistlines that detracts from your face as a focal point,” cautions Drake. “Particularly if you are in frontline positions, sales positions or anywhere where you are meeting and greeting people. If your clothing is a distraction and takes the attention away from your audience then you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage as the other person’s attention should be focused on what you have to say and not what you look like.”
- If your job involves plenty of walking or standing, avoid ill-fitting or very high-heeled shoes.
- Your choice of clothing is your personal brand that speaks for you, but it isn’t the only element that creates and presents a professional image. Consider your body language, how you speak to others, your words and your tone when dealing with colleagues, clients and suppliers.
Resources
- Lifecoach Margaret Drake
- www.livecareer.com
- www.thebalance.com