Dress For Success
Look your absolute best by following this simple guide to dress for success
The ability to dress for success can take a leader to a whole new level of effectiveness. This doesn’t mean that you have to be the most stylish dresser in the world, but it does mean that you are demonstrating your respect for the job and your firm by taking care with your appearance. The thought of looking the part might seem superficial, but the fact is that it is an important element of being a leader. Beyond this it can help you feel better and more confident.
Depending on your industry and your work environment, what constitutes appropriate dress could vary widely. However, some basic principles can guide you through most arenas without breaking your bank.
1. Know your body, your closet and your budget
Just because something is stylish doesn’t mean that it is a good look for you. Keep a healthy awareness of your particulars, including what looks good on you and what you should avoid. Take a full inventory of your closet and don’t be afraid to weed out the things that no longer fit, that aren’t in good shape and that don’t feel or look good when you wear them. Be mindful both of your clothing inventory and of your budget possibilities when you look to supplement your wardrobe. You don’t have to go overboard to update your wardrobe if you approach it thoughtfully.
2. Stick with classic styles and colors
The best way to build a professional wardrobe that will stand the test of time is to focus on classic styles and traditional colors. This doesn’t mean that you must have a closet full of nothing but blue suits or black pants (or whatever). It simply serves you, if you don’t want to have to buy a bunch of new clothes with every season, to stick with styles that aren’t overly trendy. This is particularly important with your staples (which are often the most expensive pieces). These days you can often find these staple garments in fabrics that are appropriate year round, which further increases your wardrobe flexibility. Then you can bring elements of the current season’s trends into the mix with accessories and less expensive pieces (like a shirt in the season’s hot color). This wardrobe philosophy will allow you to have a “working” work wardrobe that stands the test of time.
3. Remember basic presentation
No matter what you are wearing or how much you paid for it, you can immediately make it much better or much worse with your presentation. Clean, pressed clothing in good repair, even if it didn’t cost a bunch of money, beats designer clothes in bad shape every day. Carry this same principle to your hair, makeup, shoes and accessories to present an overall image of being well groomed and nicely put together.
Also, there’s a common bit of advice out there that you should dress for the job you want rather than the one you have. Now that’s a stylish dresser indeed! Remaining mindful of this helps you remember to put your best foot forward always, which is the true definition of dressing for success.