We’ve all heard sayings like “dress for success” and “dress for the job you want, and not the job you have”.
While these sayings may be overused, their validity still holds strong. By dressing professionally at work, others will take you more seriously and give you more respect.
Now, this doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on designer work clothes and wear a new outfit every day. Dressing professionally simply means dressing in a way that conveys that you take your job seriously and that you’re ready to do business.
Check out this guide to learn how to dress professionally and command more respect at work.
Commit to Good Hygiene and Grooming
The process of dressing professionally starts before you even put your clothes on. In order to improve your style, you need to start in the bathroom.
At the very minimum, you should be showering regularly and brushing your teeth. However, to look really polished for your job, you should manicure your nails, (yes, men can get manicures too to clean out their cuticles) keep your hair neatly cut and styled, keep your eyebrows and facial hair neat, and make sure you smell good.
In terms of perfume and cologne, remember that yes is usually more.
Dress to Match the Workplace Setting
In the modern workplace, overdressing is almost as bad as underdressing. By dressing to match the workplace setting, you show others that you understand the brand that you work for.
If you work in a high-profile position, you’ll want to stick to formal business attire unless otherwise noted. This means suits and jackets for the men and pantsuits or skirts and blouses for the ladies.
If you work in a less formal office environment, business casual is usually the way to go. For men, this means a nice pair of slacks and a nice button-down shirt. For women, it means a nice shirt with an appropriate-length skirt or pants.
Depending on the type of environment you work in, you may feel free to add in more touches of your personality with bright-colored ties, Gucci shoes, jewelry, or hairpieces.
If you work in an environment that requires you to wear a uniform, make sure that it’s always clean and pressed.
Hire a Tailor
People can tell the difference between a tailored suit and one that’s just been bought off the rack.
So, if you really want to step up your clothing game, you should hire a professional tailor. This goes for both men and women.
By tailoring your clothing, you’ll make sure that nothing is too small or too big (which can look highly unprofessional).
Also, the better your clothes fit you, the more confident you’ll feel. Instead of worrying about stepping on the hem of your pants or swimming in your suit jacket, you’ll be able to focus on what really matters—your job.
Dress Professionally: Are You Ready to Dress for Success?
Now that you know how to dress professionally, it’s time to start shopping.
If you liked this article, be sure to check back in with our blog for more lifestyle tips and tricks.
