Your clothes mean more than just keeping you warm and staying stylish – they can have a real impact on your career, and can be used as a viable tool to establish credibility and project confidence.
Whether you’re having an interview for a new position, meeting clients, or even going on a work lunch, how you dress can have a profound effect on how others behave around you. In this article, you’ll learn how your wardrobe can elevate your work life.
The Importance of Your Clothes for Making a Good First Impression
In a professional setting, first impressions are everything, and before anyone notices anything else about you, they’re checking out how you look. People are said to make a first impression based on your appearance in mere milliseconds, so it stands to reason that if you’re not prioritizing your outfit, you’re making a mistake.
In truth, every aspect of your appearance will be under scrutiny. A tailored suit goes a long way in conveying high status, which correlates strongly to leadership quality. Your shoes also matter – taking care to make sure that they’re polished and well-kept shows others that you have an eye for detail, which is a key metric for successful business operations.
Ultimately, your clothes set the tone for the meeting ahead far more than you may realize, so it always pays to look sharp (literally).
How to Choose Your Clothes
So, you’re clear on the reasons to dress to impress, but how do you actually choose your professional wardrobe? There are a wide variety of factors that go into the perfect choice, but the most important aspect is that you consider your role and how your clothes reflect it.
If you’re in a leadership role, the aforementioned tailored suit is always the perfect go-to. For other business roles, sticking to the basics is a good idea: classic pieces like blazers, crisp white shirts, and well-fitting trousers are great. You could also opt for a pencil skirt over trousers.
You should also be sure to incorporate subtle, yet impactful special touches – accessories like a bright necklace against a darker suit, or coloured ties and scarfs. These help you stand out.
If in doubt, consulting personal styling services is a good shout, and this is especially the case if this is your first rodeo with workplace fashion. A pro stylist can get you up to speed in no time.
The Personal Results of Dressing Well
The role your work attire has on the impressions of your colleagues and potential business partners has been covered above, but it’s also important to note the profound impact it can have on your confidence and self-esteem.
For example, wearing a tailored suit doesn’t just signal to others that you know what you’re doing, it makes you feel as though you do; in some cases, your clothes can make the difference between sealing a deal and not, for the sole reason that your outfit gives you that extra push to assume the role adequately.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding as to how what you wear at work, or in any professional setting, can make a huge difference – both to how others treat you and to the way you feel about yourself. It’ll take a bit of effort to get right, but make no mistake: it’ll be more than worth it.
