According to a Business Insider article entitled “Here’s How Your Clothing Affects Your Success”, your appearance can have a measurable impact, among other things, on whether people trust you and want to hire you, or if they will give you a raise. Therefore, it is easy to understand that being mindful of your appearance is vital if you want to be successful in life.
Here are a few basic guidelines on how to dress for success in a formal workplace setting, or when you have an important appointment such as a job interview:
Dress Appropriately
Take into consideration your work environment and dress accordingly. For example, someone who works in a corporate setting will generally be expected to look professional and conservative, whereas a blue-collar worker will be dressed casually, due to the physical nature of his or her work.
Dress Conservatively
Look professional by keeping your dress style conservative and by choosing neutral colours as the basis for your work wardrobe.
Clean & Wrinkle-Free Clothes
Clothes should be clean and pressed, especially if your work environment is more formal. Cleanliness shows that you care about yourself, about those around you, and by extension, about the business you are representing, thus enhancing your professionalism.
Feet First
In its June 2cnd, 2018 article entitled “Step Up: Research Shows You Are Judged By Your Shoes”, Psychology Today magazine demonstrated how people who see shoes that are well-kept and attractive, automatically assume that the owners of those shoes are more conscientious than others.
Therefore, if you want to make a good impression at work, it is essential for footwear to be neither too casual nor too worn out. Keep your shoes looking their best, by regularly wiping off dirt and scuff marks, and by shining them.
Accessories
When it comes to accessorizing, it is usually best to err on the side of caution. Try to stay away from bright jewelry and obvious bling, opting instead for discrete jewelry.
If you are going for a job interview, think twice about highlighting any piercings or tattoos, since they may be frowned upon in certain workplaces. And if you own a watch, you might want to wear it as this conveys the message that you are punctual.
As we’ve seen here, dressing for success is not hard to do, and it doesn’t necessarily cost a lot of money. You might only need to change a few things to present a more polished and professional look. But by doing so, you’ll undoubtedly be putting all the odds in your favour when it comes to getting that job you want or that raise you’ve been needing.