Did you see this week’s Sunday Times? There was a great article entitled ‘Looking the Business’ which endorsed everything that I believe in relating to your dress/appearance in the workplace.
Laura Weir writes that “what you see hanging in your wardrobe is how your boss sees you. They assess your competence in a quarter of a second, according to research done at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in 2011. And they judge you every day, even if you have worked at Wherever Incorporated for years, because looking like a success is the first step to being one.”
She continues, that whilst some “would like to believe the mantra “Look beyond my clothes and into my brain”, Mrs Prada would say the opposite mantra should be your internal screensaver. “See me, hear me” is her thinking. It is only once your outfit has been diagnosed that the person across the meeting room table will choose to listen to you, or not.”
So why not have a look in your wardrobe today and assess what your clothes say about you. Is your wardrobe full of the neutral colours like black, navy and white and not much else, or are there colours in there that make sure that you stand out? Do your clothes promote you and your personal brand well or do they need a re-fresh? If you’re wanting to be seen as dynamic, creative and efficient do your clothes include detailing that shouts ‘I’m creative’, is there a bit of purple in there (the colour that says ‘creative/ unconventional’) and is the fit/tailoring impeccable (to convey ‘efficient’) for example? As Laura suggests, just ask yourself “Would you promote your outfit?” because “people like people like themselves. If you want to get ahead at the office, try dressing like your boss.”
If you’d like any help creating a workwear wardrobe that really sells you, just get in touch!