Dress For Success

The way you dress speaks volumes about who you are as a person and as a business communicator. Let's face it, clothes talk. Whenever you enter a room for the first time, it takes only a few seconds for people you've never met to form perceptions about you and your abilities. You don't have to utter a word; people peg you one way if you're dressed in black leather, another if you're squeezed into gold lamé, and yet another if you're sporting a classic suit. Regardless of who you really are, your clothes and body language always speak first.

Statistics show that you have between 60 to 120 seconds to make a first impression and you certainly want it to be a good one. Your image, how you look, carry yourself and dress can speak volumes about your mood, energy level and attitude. In addition, people do make "capability" judgments based on their impression of your cleanliness, style and the appropriateness of your attire.

The best advice is to dress for work each day as if you were being interviewed, because in fact, you are being interviewed. Every day clients, coworkers and higher ups will be observing and making judgments/decisions based on your appearance.

Being well dressed in a corporate setting can influence not just perceptions, but also promotions.

Dressing appropriately is imperative. You will be judged on your appearance which includes how you dress, how you carry yourself and your body language. Don't forget, first impressions and corporate image play a significant role in modern business interactions. A professional image is fundamental to surviving in competitive business arenas. Ask yourself these three questions when you get dressed:

Does this clothing fit me properly? Is it too tight, too loose or too short?

Does this article of clothing, pair of shoes, handbag etc look worn out or outdated? (You should not wear garments that are torn, patched or obviously mended to work - ever!)

Am I dressed appropriately for my position and responsibilities? Do not wear sneakers, tank tops, tee shirts or revealing clothing to work if you hope to gain the respect of your clients, peers or higher ups.

One hint with regard to business dress is to dress as though you hold a position higher in rank than where you actually are in the company. Dress for success!

Less is more when it comes to make-up, jewelry and perfume. You can make a statement about your style without being excessive. Most business people do not appreciate "trends" like facial hair, piercing or body tattoos. Hair color should be natural and neat and clean.

Just as in business communication, business dress requires you to know your audience. You need to gauge what attire will be right for the audience and the circumstance. This all hinges on the norms of the culture of the industry, region, company, division, department, and function.

In business, your clothing and grooming should not distract. Rather, they should direct attention to your face and particularly your eyes. When you connect with someone else's eyes, they tend to listen. But who can stay focused on eyes when your manager has her fingers manicured with lavender polish and 10 bolts of silver lightning striking her cuticles, or your purchasing agent has a copper ring pierced through his nose?

Typical formal business attire has an advantage because it can easily direct listeners to your eyes. A light blouse under a closed dark jacket forms an area of brightness near the face. A contrasting scarf can heighten this effect. Red in the scarf can help draw the eyes of your audience to your own.

In contrast, a flashy belt or belt buckle can draw the eye to the waist. Light hose and shoes draw attention to a woman's legs. Bright buttons, bulky broaches, or other conspicuous jewelry can also draw the eye. The same goes for clothing that is sheer, shiny, or clinging.

Dress To Fit Your Audience - When you're in front of a group giving a presentation, making a speech or just plain talking, you need to choose your attire to match the event. For example, you will typically want to dress one notch of formality above your audience. That means if they're wearing slacks and shirts or blouses, you may want to add a sports jacket to your ensemble. On the other hand, a formal suit in front of an audience in jeans and T-shirts is rarely a good idea.

Regardless of what you're wearing, make sure it works. Make a thorough assessment of how you look in front of a full-length mirror. And don't hesitate to get a second opinion. Check not just for fashion sense but also for fit. Nothing sends a worse message than a poorly tailored jacket. One common offense is sleeves that hide your hands.

Hands speak worlds about capability. They also reinforce your words. Hiding them can send a subtle message of incompetence. The jacket sleeve should reach the middle of your wrist bone, with the shirtsleeve typically extending three eighths of an inch beyond. Since almost everyone has one arm longer than the other, make sure the tailor or dressmaker checks the length of both sleeves.

Good, unscuffed leather shoes add to a look of professionalism. Stick to simple colors. The best shoes for business are closed-toe with a high enough vamp to allow you to walk securely. (The vamp is the section of the shoe that covers the top of the foot; a low vamp makes for instability and may show some toe cleavage.)

Formal attire requires heels; these should be typically 1½ to 2 inches. Avoid little bows or buckles; these tend to distract and do not connote serious business.

Speak Tight, Dress Right - Business presenters need more than a professional look. They need to be able to move in their clothes. Narrow skirts, tight pants, or confining jackets restrict movement.

To capitalize on large body gestures, be sure your clothes fit so you can move. And make sure they really fit. If you gain or lose weight, admit it and proceed immediately to your tailor or dressmaker. There is no excuse for ill-fitting business attire. If it doesn't fit, you must adjust it.

If It Wrinkles or Clings, Wrap Your Food In It - Even on laid-back dress down days, dress communicates an important message. Think of it this way: if it clings or wrinkles, it's not really your wardrobe, it's Saran Wrap and you'd better think twice before wearing it to work.

Even when casual wear is part of the corporate culture, think twice before choosing to wear linen or tropical wools at work. They wrinkle like a Sharpei dog. New technology allows manufacturers to create special weaves and treatments to tame some fabrics that traditionally wrinkle. The best ones seem to be the heavier weaves, but shop around, there's a lot out there.

How you dress depends on four factors: the industry in which you work, the job you have within that industry, the geographic area in which you live; and most importantly, what your client expects to see.

Business clothing is not a reflection of the latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within the industry.

Start with a skirted suit or pants suit for the most conservative look. A skirted suit is the most professional. With a few exceptions, dresses do not offer the same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets.

Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above the knee raises eyebrows and questions.

Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe. While Capri pants and their fashion cousins that come in assorted lengths from mid-calf to ankle are the latest trend, they are out of place in the conservative business environment.

Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman's clothing, but they should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give the wrong impression.

Women need to wear hose in the business world. Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are the best choices. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer unless the hosiery store is next door or just down the street from the office.

Faces, not feet, should be the focal point in business so chose conservative shoes. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. In spite of current fashion and the sandal rage, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire. Not only are sandals a safety hazard, they suggest a certain official agenda.

When it comes to accessories and jewelry, less is once again more. Keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility.

Business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. For those who think it's not what you wear but who you are that creates success, give that some more thought. Business skills and experience count, but so does personal appearance and that all-important first impression.

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