Men wear suits day in and day out. But when it comes to career success, women are typically left staring at the clothes racks like a deer into headlights. But relax. It's not as hard as you think.
Career attire is meant to show those around you that you care about yourself, you care about the company you work for and that you deserve respect. How many times have you looked at a woman in jeans next to one in a suit and thought the former was clearly less educated or respectable? How you look sends signals to everyone around you, whether you like it or not. Dressing for success can help you move up the corporate ladder into positions of much higher earning potential.
Here are a few easy ways to improve your career success:
1. Dress for the position above you, not the one you're in.
2. Wear conservative outfits in line with the male corporate uniform. Just as men cannot deviate from the suit, neither can womenlike it or not.
3. Casual Friday does not mean shorts, tanks or sloppy oversized clothes. It means, minimally, a polo shirt, button up, chinos or trousers, leather or dress shoes and accessories. Even if you work within a t-shirt and jeans atmosphere, you need to set yourself apart to become promotion- ready.
4. Wear light make-up and lip gloss as opposed to bare skin. This gives a polished and professional look. Also, keep perfume to a minimum, or avoid it altogether.
5. Match your shoes, preferably conservative, business dress shoes, with your pants and blazer. Avoid varying your blazer and pants color, instead opting for a solid line of color all the way down.
6. Wear small prints, smaller than your thumb nail, if any, and thin belts.
7. Opt toward blue or navy colors. Avoid brown, as this is associated with delivery professions.
Reflect professionalism in all you do, and your peers, coworkers and superiors will take heed. It's about working smarter, not harder. |
