Have you ever heard the phrase ‘dress for the job you want, not for the job you have?’
The idea is that dressing well leads to more opportunities as you come across as more professional and confident. That’s not saying you have to wear something super formal or go OTT with designer clothes at work. Dressing for success is about wearing well looked after clothes that suit you, express your personality and suit your profession.
What you wear says a lot about you
Even if you’re not into fashion, and as much as none of us want to admit it we judge others on what they wear all the time. Putting time and effort into how you dress for work will help your confidence as if you look good, you feel good too. It also shows others you have self-respect and self-esteem which are both good attributes.
Figuring out what works for you
When it comes to figuring out what works for you, give yourself time to find what your work style is, keeping in mind your industry and any dress code standards you’re supposed to adhere too. Opt for clothes that fit you well, that means they aren’t too tight or too loose, and in colours that suit your skin tone and make you happy. If you’re not sure if a colour suits you hold it up next to your face and notice how it makes your skin look. If you skin looks duller or not quite right it’s not a great colour for you. However, if a colour makes your eyes look brighter and your skin look great then it’s a good choice.
Take care
Make sure your clothes are well looked after, that’s a big part of looking well dressed. Mend any button that comes loose, use a fabric comb to remove any pilling and keep your clothes freshly washed. They may sound like obvious things but it’s amazing how many people are walking around in clothes that don’t fit them properly, untidy clothes or showing holey bits. Looking after your clothes makes a big difference to your appearance and that includes your shoes and accessories too.
If you want to level up your wardrobe to really dress for the job you want then it’s worth paying attention to fashion advice that will help you. If your budget allows there are some great personal stylists out there who can help you overhaul your wardrobe and pick outfits that really work for you. If a stylist isn’t in the budget then have a look at fashion related websites that offer styling advice to get an idea of clothes that could work with you.
Be prepared
Once you’ve figured out what works for you it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to plan your outfit the night before (or if you’re feeling organised plan your outfits for the week). Try things on, add any accessories and make sure everything is clean and ready to go in the morning. It will not only save you time in the morning but will mean that you look put together and professional every time.
Dressing for success is about looking and feeling like the best version of yourself and while it does take some time and effort it’s definitely worth it in the long run.