Dressing For Success

The intersection between clothes and power.

Dress for the job you want, not for the one you have.

We have heard this multiple times before. How we dress influences not only how we feel about ourselves but also how others feel about us. So, how does this impact our careers and how we want to be perceived?

Why the clothes we wear predict our success:

1. People who dress well have higher chances of being promoted. By dressing well, you are also noticed more by others.

2. The way you dress impacts your self-image and confidence. It essentially boosts your sense of performance and competence.

3. You can also increase your performance by dressing for success.

4. According to research, people engage more in abstract thinking when they dress up.

   
   

So, how can we dress for success?

1. Be strategic about it:

   Create a capsule wardrobe that will make choosing your daily outfit easy, and help create multiple combinations seamlessly. This will also help you be more efficient with your time. Go for a polished and clean look (with neutral colors) to make your collection timeless.

   
   

2. Follow the "plus or minus rule": This means that if most people wear button-up shirts, for example, you can put on a blazer. And if most of them wear blazers, you can wear a suit. And so on, and so forth.

   
   

3. Be practical and don't forget the end goal: dressing for success should be a way to power your performance as a professional. Look for versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on different occasions. That way you are always prepared and always well dressed.

   
   

4. Align with your work's dress code (if there is one): This is especially relevant if you are new to the job, as first impressions create a big impact.

   
   

5. Think about your personal brand: What kind of message and image do you want to convey? For example, if you want to come across as bold, opt for strong colors. If you want to be approachable, earth tones might be a better option. Have this frame in mind to decide what your wardrobe will look like.

   
   

6. Build your wardrobe over time: To invest in high-quality, long-term pieces, it is better to buy fewer items every few months. It is also a more sustainable practice than buying from fast fashion brands.

   
   

7. Wear clothes that fit you: Clothes should fit you, not the other way around. So buy clothes that make you feel comfortable while still being flattering. Tailoring is also an affordable way to make clothes fit you perfectly.

So, in the end, it is all about selecting practical but timeless and high-quality items that will reflect your personal brand and how you want to come across at work. This will make you more confident in your performance as a professional and essentially scale up your career in ways you don't even imagine. Let's dress for success!

What does dressing for success mean to you?