Three years ago, the pandemic brought my favorite part about the job to the forefront: remote work and the death of offices. There’s no denying the positive effects that it’s had on employees and businesses. So much so that not many people really want to go back to the office, despite RTO mandates.
I’ve always envisioned myself being the boss. Even while working for corporate America, I never lose sight of this. Now I’m the founder and CEO of a thriving PR company. A lot of what’s required of me involves meeting face to face with clients, members of the media, and attending events. So I take pride in putting thought into what clothes I’ll wear for the occasion and do the job to the best of my abilities. Being that I’m constantly meeting with other C-Suite execs, it’s taught me that what you wear to work matters—a lot.
We all could use a reminder as it seems we’ve forgotten how to dress for the office, a Zoom interview, or a conference. Below are five tips to help step up your wardrobe game and understand how clothes can have an impact at work and can contribute or even take away from reaching your career goals.
WEAR WHAT EMPOWERS YOU
Do you have items in your closet that make you feel confident and unstoppable? Chances are you do, and it’s time to start incorporating that into your work-life. It’s simple: When you look good, you feel good and that translates to how you interact and even handle business.
For me, having a sense of personal style has always played a part in portraying authority and maintaining my self-esteem, something that’s needed in the workplace and climbing the career ladder. When you’re getting dressed each day, stay true to yourself, and don’t wear something just because it’s on trend.
Even if there is a company dress code—try adding a touch of “you” to the mix. I worked in the tech industry where very few people looked like me. But I didn’t let that stop me from rocking a shaved head, wearing cool accessories like big sunglasses or dramatic coats at work. Your package needs to be authentic and if you’re pretending, believe me it shows.
INVEST IN TIMELESS CLASSIC PIECES
We all want and dream of (or at least I do) having a massive organized closet like the one that emulates Carrie Bradshaw’s in And Just Like That. But the chances of having all those clothing options to choose from for the everyday employee isn’t realistic.
So, what do you do when you don’t have the budget or means to buy a variety of clothes, shoes, and bags? You prioritize quality over quantity. Having clothes that will last you for years to come should be what you purchase. By doing this you’ll save yourself a ton of money over time by limiting how often you’ll need to replace your clothes. It’s also more sustainable to do this. I personally stopped buying fast fashion a few years ago as they didn’t stand the test of time and would fall apart after a few wears, and cost me more than I realized.
WEAR CLOTHES THAT ACTUALLY FIT
If you can’t sit, move, or let alone breathe in whatever you’re wearing, then it’s time to change. Literally—into something that actually fits. Growing up, this was rule number one in my household. Not only does this look absolutely ridiculous, but also it’s obvious to everyone around you just how uncomfortable you are in your clothes (you don’t come across as confident).
This also applies to what attire is and isn’t appropriate for the workplace. It should be obvious but whatever the garment, one that shows too much skin is not suitable for the office or most business matters. It can come off as disrespectful, even if that wasn’t your intent. Clothes should be fun—and I too love revealing clothes—but I save them for the beach, with family and friends. Not around coworkers. At one company I worked for, the intern dressed like they were half-naked. And as a result, I believe that’s why the company didn’t end up hiring them full time.
DRESS FOR WHO YOU ARE BECOMING
Don’t fake it ’til you make it. That’s pretty awful advice that could cause major problems; but it is not the case when I say dress for the job you want, not the job that you currently have. Why? Because dressing “up” shows whomever you’re interacting with that you take yourself and career seriously and are ready to take on more responsibility. It’s all about making a great first impression.
Clothes can help you embrace where you plan and hope to be in your career in the near and long term. It allows you to show your potential and become even more successful. Whether we like it or not, our appearance is one of the first things we are remembered by and plays a major role in an advancement in position.
MAKE SURE YOUR CLOTHES ARE CLEAN
A major pet peeve of mine is when stained, dingy, and dirty clothes are worn to business settings. If you can, avoid any clothing with wear and tear marks. It comes across as careless, sloppy, and unprofessional. You need to look polished. Now that’s not to say you should dress super corporate—to me that means boring and extra stuffy. But you do want it to look like you put in effort.
When I worked in corporate America, I was surrounded by employees who wore poorly made company swag T-shirts out of the cheapest (and harmful to the environment) materials almost every day to work. It looked like they slept and lived in the clothing 24/7 with few washes in between. It’s pretty distracting and takes away from the great work you do. So just imagine your mother in your ear telling you to iron your clothes, and do yourself a favor and ditch the threadbare T-shirts.
At work, we all could use an extra confidence boost, and positively display what we bring to the table. Dressing for success can help achieve this, allows you to thrive, and make your long-term career dreams a reality. Not to mention that studies have shown the positive impact wearing smart attire has at work, and the transformation it can bring. You owe it to yourself to dress to impress so your colleagues see that you respect yourself and know your worth.
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Guest Authors: Brennan Nevada Johnson is the founder and CEO of Brennan Nevada Inc., a PR and media relations partner.
