Dress for Success: How to Create and Keep an Authentic Business Image
In today's competitive business world, first impression matter more than ever. Your appearance can have a significant impact on how you are perceived by colleagues, clients, and potential employers. Dressing for success is not just about looking good; it's about projecting professionalism, confidence, and credibility. I agree that maybe looking at a way someone is dressed is a shallow way of evaluating professional traits and skills, however, if you haven’t read the blog on first impression, I do encourage you to as it will give you an in depth idea of the power of first impressions and why people percieve others the way they do.
I do want to make something clear - dressing for success does NOT mean that you have to stack your wardrobe with suits and ties immediatelly. Every job and every position will have a dress code and as an individual you will have the power to find your own style within that dress code. That’s what we will talk about in this blog - how to stay authentic and express yourself, while still keeping an image of professionalism and adhering to the dress code regulated by your company or employer.
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of creating and maintaining a business image that will set you up for success and will make you feel good while doing it!
The Importance of Business Attire
Visual image is a part of your image and your attire is often the first thing people notice about you in a professional setting. A well-chosen outfit can convey your attention to detail, respect for the occasion, and your personal brand. Dressing appropriately for your industry and role is key to making a positive impression and establishing credibility in the workplace.
Studies have shown that individuals who dress in business attire are often perceived as more competent, trustworthy, and authoritative. By dressing professionally, you can shape how others perceive and interact with you in the workplace.
While there may be certain workplaces or industries where casual attire is more appropriate, maintaining a level of professionalism in the way you dress can help set you apart and position you for success in your career. It's important to consider the expectations and norms of your workplace and industry when determining the appropriate level of dress for your professional image. This means that if your company policy is business attire except on Casual Fridays, then the only time you will have business casual or maybe even a chance for casual clothing is on Fridays. This is the first and foremost rule - follow your company’s or employer’s guidelines. Sometimes, a mandatory dress code may even be outlined in your working contract.
That doesn’t mean you should dress for business just because someone told you you should. Going back to the importance of proper business attire and the psychology behind it, the benefits of the way you are viewed by colleagues, clients and potential employers is far greater than you probably ever thought. Some of the traits a well-dressed person can portray are:
Professionalism: Business attire helps convey a sense of professionalism and competence. It shows that you take your job seriously and are attentive to detail, which can enhance your credibility and reputation in the workplace. Again, this doesn’t mean you have to wear a suit and ties, it depends on your industry and role, but it does state that you take that role seriously.
Respect: Dressing in business attire is a sign of respect for your colleagues, clients, and the workplace environment. It shows that you value the expectations and norms of the workplace and are mindful of how your appearance may impact others. It also shows people you have respect for yourself as well and that you took the time to adjust to the professional setting you will be in.
Confidence: Wearing business attire can boost your confidence and self-esteem. When you look professional and put-together, you are more likely to feel prepared and capable in your role, leading to a positive mindset and increased productivity. For those who may have anxiety, it can even go deeper and work as your shield, something that creates this persona who can handle the social norms and pressure.
Branding: Your appearance is a reflection of your personal brand and professional identity. This especially goes for those who own their own companies or are freelancers on the hunt for clients. Consistently dressing in business attire can help reinforce your brand image and make a memorable impression on others, whether you are networking, attending meetings, or representing your company.
With all these great benefits, why not put some more thought into it and prepare to dress for success? Everyone want to get ahead and ay small step, at the end of the day, when a promotion may be lurking can help you on your journey up the career ladder.
“To me, clothing is a form of self-expression - there are hints about who you are in what you wear”
Creating a Professional Wardrobe - Your Step by Step Guide!
Building a professional wardrobe starts with investing in quality, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched for different occasions. It continues with trying out these pieces before you buy them to make sure you have a proper fit and ends with successfully planning outfits for the needed occasion, whether that be a regular work day, business trip or important meeting.
Step One - Dress Code
Making sure you know what your company dress code is counts as a great start. Knowing what that dress code actually includes is a different topic. Many people are not even aware that certain dress codes already regulate what you can and can’t wear. It may not be outlined in a rule book and you will definitely not alert the fashion police if you do not know, but you may alert your colleagues, potential clients and future employers by not knowing what a certain dress code entails. Let’s clarify some of the most common ones you will encounter in today’s business world.
Business Formal or just Business Attire: Is exactly what is says, this dress code is worn in the business world or for business events. It’s one level higher than business casual on the formality scale. Also known as ‘tenue de ville’, this dress code is quite limiting in the way you express yourself. As a good rule of thumb, the more upscale the event, the darker the clothing. The same goes in the business world, the higher up the hierarchy you go, the less color you will use. Limit yourself to two colors. This dress code is very simple to narrow down, it includes shirts, and suits whether that be a skirt and a blazer or dress trousers with a blazer. A scarf or tie is also appropriate. Business, dress shoes go on top and you are done. Most of the time your suit will be in darker colors such as navy, black, dark grey or anthracite.
Business Casual: Just a bit below the Business Formal on the formality scale, but still above Smart Casual. This means esentially a mix-and-match between some traditional business clothing and some relaxed items. It is the most common dress code and gives you a more flexibility to express yourself, while impressing your colleagues and bosses. Because it is so loose, it can be a hit and miss. Tops you can use for this attire include, but are not limited to elegant sleeveless shirts, vests, blazers, turtle necks, dressy tops, polo shirts and regular short or long-sleeve shirts, as well as blouses and blazers. Bottoms can be trousers, chinos, semi-formal dress pants and even dark denim jeans (keep in mind that some places may have a specific ban on jeans in the workplace, so always do your research diligently!). When it comes to skirts and dresses, neutral or solid colored sheath dresses can be a great option and also pencil-cut and knee-length skirts. Footwear can be dress shoes, sometimes dress-like sneakers (that’s something to check with your employer!), tie-up shoes, loafers, flats, pumps, stilettos, open-toed heels, and closed kitten heels. Generally you would keep patterns to a minimum and try to find nude, pale, neutral colors with the addition of the dark blue/navy and black as essentials.
Smart Casual: Smart casual is sometimes regarded as the same thing as business casual, but it is not. To make is as simple as possible, it is a more laid-back version of business casual. Sometimes if your employer says your dress code is ‘casual’ what they mean is actually ‘smart casual’. While business casual is great for the office and meetings, smart casual is for everything outside of work. Unless you work in a very informal environment, which is something you need to check for your specific role and workplace. If your dress code is very laid back or not very clear and quite loose, then smart casual might be your go-to for the office. So how do you dress for smart casual then? You can wear a plain, toned-down t-shirt under a jacket for a smart casual look, as an example. This is wear nice jeans and t-shirts come in, mixed with blazers, for example. You can use more color variety, however, never use more than 1 bright color and 3 colors in total. No need to look like a circus, you can attract attention in different ways as well. For your bottoms you would choose chinos, jeans (plain, preferrably, dark jeans!), flowy skirts and trousers in fun colors. For your tops you can do more with plain t-shirts in neutral colors (no print!), shirts in bright colors, blouses, casual blazers, sweaters and vests. Additionally for dresses and skirts, they can have a pattern or a color and be a bit more relaxed, and flowy, however they should not be too short or low rise. For shoes, you can wear dressy sneakers, open-toe sandals, moccasins, loafers and in colder weather even boots.
Casual: This is pretty much everything not mentioned in the above dress codes - short skirts, shorts, swimwear, low-rise pants and skirts, deep-cut shirts, sleeveless t-shirts, flip-flops, ripped jeans, t-shirts with a print, clothing with embelishment, joggers, trainers, sweatpants and so on. There is high chance you will never wear casual in a work environment. The only exception might be some work-from-home situations or if working in arts, animation or any profession where there is no dress regulation whatsoever. My advice is to still be respectable, depending on what your work situation is.
Step Two - Make a Shopping Plan
This is the most important part. You do not need to spend a bunch of money to look good. Focus on pieces that you can mix and match to create a functional wardrobe that works for you. If you have a business formal setting, you might be fine with buying a few suits and white shirts and a few ties for starters. For business and smart casual you can focus on pieces that can be used in 3-4 different outfits at least like black or navy pants and a white shirt. Put down on paper how you would like to look like. A simple Google search for some inspiration and ideas can help you see yourself how you want to be perceived by others. It is very important for you to now put these clothes and shoes in a list and see how you can mix and match. Count how many outfits you can create. Do you need anything else? Do you have items that you can’t match at all? You want to make it easy to dress to impress, that is your goal. You can always add some items that are suitable for just one outfit, and they can be your form of creative expression.
After you have found out which clothes and shoes to buy you can also focus on some essentials like a good watch, high-quality belt, scarf and ties, depending on what your dress code allows. But what about jewelry and hair accessories? Unless you have a smart casual or casual dress code, keep them to a minimum and nothing too flashy or extravagant.
Step Three - Shop ‘til You Drop
Time to go for shopping. When shopping, keep your budget in mind. There is nothing wrong with buying at thrift stores if you cannot go into a branded clothing store. All you have to do is make sure whatever you buy fits the plan you made and most importantly - fits you!
Arguably the most important part of dressing for success is a good fit. Never settle for a size too small or too big. If the cut doesn’t suit your body shape - ditch it! Clothes are made to fit YOU, not the other way around. Spend as much time as needed making sure these clothes fit you comfortably, and bring someone who has your best interest at heart. That friend that tells you how you always look great in whatever you wear, might need to be accompanied by that brutally honest friend that will tell you when something just does not look good. Start by buying some essentials that can be easily mixed and matched, like a white shirt. Once you find a comfortable white shirt you like, start searching for pants. When trying out the pants, wear the shirt to see how it fits. Continue doing the same thing to get a real feel of how the clothes will fit together and look on you. Very important thing - do not buy clothes YOU do not like. If you hate beige, don’t buy a beige shirt just because you saw someone on Pinterest rocking it. If you hate skirts but love pants, don’t buy a skirt because someone said you should dress more feminine. If you have started to dress professionally recently, or are planning to start soon, there may be a feeling of being uncomfortable in some clothing items. While you may feel you are overdressed or that you are just not made for this type of attire, keep in mind no progress comes to those staying in their comfort zone.
Step Four - Keep it Organized & Additional Care
Make sure you have where to put your clothes so they can be in clear view. This will help you think of ways to combine them and not forget what you have bought. Preparing your outfits in advance will give you an edge and also make sure your clothes are always clean and ironed in time for your workday, event or meeting. Pay attention to what care your clothes need. Suits may have to be taken for dry-cleaning. Some more casual items can be washed in the machine. Read the instructions carefully - this way you can avoid damage and keep your clothes looking new for a longer time. If you have pets, make sure you have a pet hair remover with you and remove pet hair before work. Keeping your wardrobe clean, organized, and in good condition is also essential for projecting a professional image.
And that’s it!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to create a professional wardrobe that will ignite your success… But is it really enough?
Dressing is NOT Enough to Create and Maintain a Business Image
In addition to your clothing choices, grooming and personal hygiene are important aspects of maintaining a professional image. If you have perfect style, branded clothing, are always on time in well-pressed shirts and clean shoes but fail to keep up with regular grooming routines, such as keeping your hair and nails well-maintained, let me tell you - you can forget about impressing anyone.
Example: Josey is a great lecturer with lots of years of experience. She is on point, has funny facts, her suit is branded and tailored to her body shape and her shoes are shining every time. However, Josey has hair dandruff all over her beautiful navy suit and can on occasion have something stuck in her perfectly white teeth. Tina is also a great lecturer, with not so much experience, she also wears a suit from a more affordable brand, but has her hair nearly styled, always has clean teeth though she wear braces. Tina gets better reviews and people perceive her as more experienced.
Sadly, I changed the names, but this circumstance is real. After I have seen this in real life, in my workspace, it really opened my eyes to the fact that, as people, we are highly subjective. I never thought much of the fact Josie has dandruff but others did. In fact, most people, including future employers did. We will not go deep into what happened after, but the point is very clear. Dressing up well is not enough, though it already does give you an edge. So what else should you keep in mind?
Teeth and breath - always make sure you teeth are cleaned and you breath is fresh. Carry a mouth spray or mouthwash if you know you will be having meals and have no time to brush your teeth.
Hair and shaving - some companies will have a grooming code, and I have seen some as strict as limiting hair styles and hair color. Obviously, adhere to whatever grooming code your company may have, but in general more companies than not are quite liberal when it comes to hair choices. Personally, I think that’s the way it should be. However, your hair should always be clean, dandruff-free and in case of facial hair, it should be neatly trimmed. Some may like more to shave every day, others will have a beard but very nicely groomed. Companies will have some sort of guidelines, but in the end, if it looks good on you and it doesn’t violate the code, plus is well-groomed and clean, it is a no-brainer.
Hand and nails - nails should be neat, period. Neatly cut and trimmed. Very long nails can be seen as non-professional. Everything else is a matter of choice (unless again you have strict grooming standards). Some jobs will require you to not use nail polish and have short-trimmed nails and other will allow flexibility. To take care of your nails and hands, you can always use cream. Keep it in your car, work desk or at home and try to remember that this is also a part of your appearance (this goes for men, women and non-binary people equally).
Make-Up - generally, unless you have a casual dress code, make-up should be discreet and emphasize your one best feature. Just one. More than that, and it goes into party or club mode. The less casual your dress code is, the more color you can add - similar to clothing. Again, you do not want to do too much and that’s why the emphasis should be on one of your features, if you choose to have make-up.
Hygiene and smell - Having a shower, using a deodorant and light body fragrance is okay. Not showering, smelling like you came out of the gym directly to work or thinking adding extra perfume to make an impression is not okay. I have had encounters with people (male and female) who are neat and clean and then for some reason decide pouring cologne or perfume is a great finishing touch. No, you are not supposed to leave a trail of smell behind you, and trust me no one will tell you, but they will not like it. Excess of any smell, whether it be sweat or Channel No.5 is a no-go.
Dressing for Success in Different Situations
Different business events and settings may require varying levels of formality and dress codes. When preparing for job interviews, client meetings, or networking events, consider the expectations of the environment and dress accordingly. Pay attention to details such as accessories, footwear, and grooming to ensure that your outfit is appropriate and professional for each occasion. You need to be flexible enough toa dapt to your changing work surrounding.
Being flexible and being able to switch up the dress code as needed will also portray your skills to navigate various business settings. If you are meeting with clients, you may have morning meetings and dress business casual and for an evening gala dinner you will go with business formal. Not only does this how you are flexible and adaptable, but also that you take your job seriously and that you can respect the guidelines given. It also shows you have confidence you can pull off whatever is thrown at you.
“Dress like you are going to meet your worst enemy today.”
Beyond Appearance: Developing a Professional Image
While dressing for success is important, it is also essential to cultivate a professional demeanor and mindset. Body language, communication skills, and personal branding all play a role in how you are perceived in the business world. Your image is your personal brand. How you dress, how you look, what you wear, it all goes into creating an image that can set you apart in a business environment.
By developing a strong personal brand and projecting confidence and competence in your interactions, you can enhance your overall professional image and make a lasting impression on others. In my personalized 1:1 coaching sessions, I can help you create your image, keep a professional branding and guide you on the road to success!
Remember: Dress how you want to be addressed! Your business image is a powerful tool that can help you stand out in a competitive marketplace. By paying attention to your attire, grooming, and personal presence, you can create a strong and professional image that will support your success in the business world. It is not just about looking good; it's about embodying your best self and presenting yourself as a capable and confident professional, which you truly are. Make the outside match to how you feel on the inside.
At Ness Coaching, we go over branding and creating a powerful persona as a part of Coaching Programs like The Game Changer: Unlocking Your Dream Career, Talk the Talk: Impressing With Your Words and Presence and Lead by Example: The Ultimate Leadership Coaching Program and It’s All About Balance: Mastering the Art of Work-Life Balance!
Book a FREE Discovery Session now! It’s complimentary and can show you how to harness your potential and inspire you to aspire in creating a professional image worthy of the skills and experience you have!