The clothes we wear to work often depend on where we are employed. Yoga pants and capris may be okay when you work a gym, but not at a corporate office. Dressing to your profession can improve how you are perceived by coworkers and customers. I hear clothing is just too expensive, but dressing well does not mean you must max out those credit cards. I began cultivating my “grown up” wardrobe in college. I would always check the clearance racks, hit the thrift stores, and raid my friend’s closets when they were purging. Regardless of your profession, there are some good rules of thumb to follow:
- Not too much skin – This can be on the top, bottom, or middle. The conservative look is not out, keeping it covered shows you are at work to work, nothing else.
- Avoid wrinkles – I am not a fan of ironing, but throwing an outfit in the dryer is a quick and easy way to get those wrinkles out before going to work. Also, remember to hang clothes up after you are down washing and drying them, this can help prevent wrinkles in the first place.
- Footwear – Be mindful of what people see when they look down to the floor. I learned the hard way that tennis shoes are not appropriate at a job interview. There are ways to make sure you have comfort and function. For example, if you work in a kitchen, arch support non-slip shoes can be a life saver.
The term ‘dress for success’ is often referred to for business attire. If you are unsure of what you should wear somewhere, ask someone. Chances are someone out there has been in your situation and can advise on wardrobe. As a counselor, I stick to business casual because I am a professional, but I am not a corporate guru. I know I would feel weird if I walked into a counselor’s office and saw them in a suit. How do you dress for success? Comment below.
