What to wear to work: Show your potential, support your brand
Ah, what to wear to work? Earlier in my career, it was easier. When I worked in the campus library, jeans and a sweater were fine. When I was a waitress, I had a uniform. When I graduated and moved into the workforce, I cut my long hair and dressed very professionally so I would look older and more authoritative. When I started as a consultant, the rule was “wear a suit every day.” Simple.
But now — who knows? Dress codes are relaxed or non-existent, and the decision about what to wear is more complicated. I suggest three basic guidelines:
How will my clothing fit with my company’s brand? When you are at work, your appearance represents your company, especially if you are in a public-facing role. Will your apparel enhance or detract from your company’s reputation?
How will my clothing enhance my personal brand? Here’s where the old advice, “Dress for the job you want,” comes in. Even if you are not in a public-facing role, others within your company are still making decisions about you based on your appearance. Be intentional about how you want others to see you.
How will I express my individuality? Even when you’re wearing a uniform, many people want to personalize their appearance in some way. As long as your individual creativity doesn’t compromise items 1 and 2, it can enhance your impact and give you a sense of personal freedom.
When I am coaching up-and-coming business leaders, the most common clothing mistakes I see are: too casual, too sexy, poor fit, and too flashy. When in doubt, tone it down.
Finally, a quick note for boomers. There are three traps we fall into:
Don’t let yourself look like grandpa or grandma. Wear up-to-date clothing that communicates energy and awareness. Don’t dress formally if everyone else in your workplace uses a more casual style.
Don’t try to look twenty. Trying to be something you’re not always backfires. You can appear youthful without looking comical.
Don’t fuss about how other people are dressing. Everyone is an adult and capable of making his or her own choices. Tut-tutting makes you sounds as if you’re 100 years old.
In the 1970’s, “Dress for Success” was a wildly popular book. While the rules have changed, the concept has not. How you dress is still a factor in your success. Don’t let your clothes prevent people from seeing how good you really are.
