How to Dress Casually and Comfortably for Work this Fall and Still Look Like a Polished Professional
How to Dress Casually and Comfortably for Work this Fall and
Still Look Like a Polished Professional
Your clothes are a reflection of the person you are. By the selection of your attire, your control the narrative before you even say a word, because what you wear provides a significant amount of information about you. The way you dress and groom yourself can not only change the way other people view you, but also the way they listen to what you say. When you dress well, people take you more seriously. Coworkers will ask for your input more often and want you on their team. Dressing well will open doors for you. It can change your life. Dressing well isn’t just a confidence booster, it’s a personal choice—a lifestyle that helps like-minded people come together—whether it be through social media, in virtual meetings, or in-person at the office.
Although the younger generations seem to be okay with the idea that what you wear to work and what you do for work don’t have to be entwined; unfortunately, or fortunately, depending upon your point of view, older generations believe they are. The decision about the expected attire for employees at a particular company is made by the company’s management team. Companies set their dress codes to fit their company culture and clients. For many companies, their dress codes are, and have been, even before the pandemic, in a state of flux. What used to be only a suit-and-tie culture, for example, for white-collar industries, is no longer the expected attire at many companies. Now, often a man can wear a jacket, long-sleeved dress shirt, and slacks without a tie to meetings with clients.
A study by Recruitment International found 61% of employees are more productive when they work in a place with a relaxed dress code. Having an adaptable workplace dress code allows employees to be comfortable, creative and enjoy going to work. And, having a more relaxed dress code will help more traditional companies attract and retain the best talent from the younger generations. Whatever decision each company makes about its company’s dress code policy should be clearly communicated to its employees. Specified dress codes give employees certainty, which relieves much of the anxiety of dressing for work, making them feel more confident and productive at work.
Many of you will be dressing more casually for work this fall, as well as the foreseeable future; nevertheless, there are certain standards to be maintained and important considerations to keep in mind when getting dressed for work. And although “comfortable” seems to be the main consideration for choosing one’s attire now, it is possible to dress casually, as well as comfortably, and still be stylish. “Comfort and style are not enemies,” according to image expert Eve Michaels.
Brands like Alex Mill, Tommy John, M.M. Lafleur, and Wolf and Shepherd have recently introduced an entire new category of workleisure to meet the demand for cozy, stretching clothes, creating comfortable work clothing for professional and business casual settings, including dresses, blouses and skirts for women and button down shirts, chino pants, overcoats and shirts for men. Other brands such as Lululemon, Ministry of Supply, Olivers Apparel, Evermore, and others are jumping on the workleisure bandwagon, making polished comfortable pieces for a work-play, hybrid wardrobe. With all the brands now making these clothes, it should be possible for everyone to find work attire that is both comfortable and stylish.
Following are 10 tips for stepping up your style and grooming to look like a polished professional:
1. MAINTAIN A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE.
Although casual clothes may be acceptable for your profession or company, casual does not mean sloppy. In their fit, brand, and style, clothes should signal that you take your work seriously. Casual clothing deserves the same attention to detail as a traditional corporate wardrobe. Clothing should be clean, wrinkle-free, and without holes or frayed areas. And, like suits and tailored clothing, casual business wear lasts longer and looks better with some special care.
Dressing professionally in the workplace gives you credibility and shows that you fit in with the work environment. People don’t take you seriously until you look a certain way. By dressing appropriately for meetings, whether it be in the office or via Zoom video calls, you project a professional image and understanding of the business culture. Dressing professionally will give you credibility.
2. LOOK LIKE YOU CARE HOW YOU LOOK.
“Carelessness seems to signal that you don’t respect your coworkers or yourself,” says Sylvia Ann Hewlett, author of ”Executive Presence.” “You certainly don’t respect the client if you show up with soup on your tie or bitten nails, anything to make you look unkempt.” And, whatever you wear for work–whether it be formal or casual attire–look like you have put some thought into your choice and how you might appear to others. You don’t need to be a fashion plate to look stylish, but being up-to-date with trends signals your skills are up-to-date as well.
3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE FIT OF YOUR CLOTHING.
It doesn’t matter how much you spend on an article of clothing if it does not fit you properly. Most men’s stores and department stores with men’s departments have tailors in-house. If you buy something online, you will need to go to a tailor. Many dry cleaners have tailors or seamstress on the premises.
4. SPEND TIME ON GROOMING.
Poor grooming compromises the ability of other people to see you as someone who is going places because it says that either you don’t notice sloppiness, or you don’t care enough to attend to it. For the polished executive, shirts should be pressed; leather shoes should be shined; sneakers–if you wear them for work–should be clean and in good condition; hair should be cut in a flattering style; and men’s beards should be neatly trimmed for most professions.
5. TAILOR YOUR LOOK TO THE SITUATION.
When you go for an interview, it’s always advisable to dress like the people who work there so they will see you as one of them. “If it’s Microsoft, it’s one outfit; in the US Army, it’s another,” says executive recruiter Russell Reynolds. “You have to look like you belong to the group, and you have to look a little better than the group.” To do that, pattern yourself after someone who’s particularly good at dressing a bit better than the rest of the group. Online or offline interviews require the same consideration for your attire and grooming.
6. BE SELECTIVE FOR A SUCCESSFUL IMAGE.
Select attire that complements your coloring and body type; choose the right clothing and accessories for your business look; adopt meticulous grooming habits, and build a coordinated wardrobe that combines proper fit and quality construction.
7. LOOK THE PART BY DRESSING TO THE LEVEL YOU ASPIRE.
For executive-level, professional, white-collar industries, appropriate business attire consists of quality fabrics and conservative styling in subdued colors. For executive-level positions in fashion-related industries, quality fabrics are also important, but there is more flexibility with styling and color. Technology firms tend to be more casual in their dress than most industries, but there are nevertheless certain standards to be maintained. As you are making your way up the ladder, look like you belong on the level above your current one.
8. DRESS FOR YOUR CLIENT.
As a general rule, always dress for your client. If you are meeting with an older, more traditional client, for example, and he always wears a suit and tie, you might want to consider wearing a suit and tie when you meet with him. If you are meeting with a more casual, younger client in the tech industry, you can leave your tie at home. Keep in mind you are not only making a statement about yourself by the way you dress, but also the company you represent. Does your attire accurately represent your brand?
9. FOLLOW THE +1/-1 RULE.
Sylvie Di Giusto, author of “The Image of Leadership,” recommends dressing one level higher than your current professional level, but not two levels up because you will look overdressed. And, “Never dress down more than one level because you want to dress like the leader you want to be.” If you follow the +1/-1 rule you never risk being underdressed or overdressed.
10. REINFORCE YOUR WINNNG IMAGE WITH CONFIDENT BODY LANGUAGE.
You can look the part of the stylish, polished professional, but if your bearing doesn’t match or isn’t in harmony with your image, you will not be credible, or viewed as a winner. Upright posture, direct eye contact, a confident, natural stride, a warm smile, and a firm handshake are needed to successfully communicate your message of being a winner, since people believe what they see.