“Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy; For the apparel oft proclaims the man.”
—Shakespeare: Hamlet (Act I, Scene 3)
The advice for dressing appropriately really hasn’t changed much since Shakespeare’s time—buy the best you can afford, and don’t be gaudy—but despite centuries of good advice, many people still dress as though their clothes don’t really matter. On the contrary, modern behavioral research shows that your clothing says volumes about you before you even speak a word. The latest research from Princeton suggests that people make up their minds about someone within 1/10 of a second of meeting them. Giving careful thought to your appearance will make all your in-person communications more credible and well-accepted.
There are certainly differences between professions and offices in what is considered appropriate dress – for instance, the dark shirt and colorful tie that might be easily accepted in a boutique Manhattan advertising agency would be wildly out of place in a Chicago law firm. Whether or not women should wear hose is another question that depends a lot on where you work -- though the Duchess of Cambridge seems to be bringing them back into fashion. Nonetheless, the basic principles of appropriate dress in business situations are similar no matter where you work. Here are some tips for both women and men on getting the most mileage out of the impression that your clothes inevitably make on others:
Tips for Everyone:
Quality matters—buy the best clothes you can afford
Make sure your clothes are always clean and well pressed
Shoes should also be of good quality and well-maintained
When in doubt, err on the side of dressing too formally—it at least suggests a respect for the situation
Tips for Women:
Be a smart business dresser - wear clothing that communicates authority and competence.
Look for fabrics that wear well, are easy to care for and wrinkle free. Fabrics that wrinkle less include; wool knits, crepes, various micro fibers and cotton jersey.
Dark colors convey authority while bright colors convey friendliness.
Light colors such as taupe and khaki are more casual than black, brown and navy.
Keep your clothes wrinkle-free and your shoes or boots clean!
Less is more when it comes to colors, make-up, jewelry, hairstyles, shoes and handbags.
Tips for Men:
Select a suit fabric that wears well: wool blends, cotton, various microfibers and synthetic fibers.
Brush your jacket and pants off before your leave your home and every time you get in and out of the car.
Keep a black Sharpie marker with you to touch up scuffed shoes.
Don’t skimp on quality whether it’s a briefcase, shoes, tie or watch.
Keep your pants, jackets and dress shirts wrinkle free!
Simple tie rules; silk, coordinated with your suit and shirt and should end at the top of your belt.
So make the most of that 1/10 of a second, and make sure that your appearance communicates the right message!
Business Etiquette: Do you know how to behave appropriately in all business situations?
The way you walk, sit, stand, dress, talk and eat has a powerful effect on how others perceive you. When you master proper etiquette and know how to adapt your behavior to the appropriate situation, you gain confidence, poise and authority. ProComm Ltd’s Business Etiquette program will give you the knowledge you need to allow you to feel comfortable and act appropriately in all business-oriented social situations. For more information, contact us.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
