First impressions never get a second chance. While we believe in talent and inner beauty, we cannot undermine the significance of power dressing. Your appearance is the first presentation you make and if that one is on point, then your successive presentations in the boardroom are more likely to leave a mark. Your dress and how you carry yourself in your office is not just a reflection of your job description but it also exposes the relationship between your mind, body, and soul. So, no matter how much you try to escape from the eternal dilemma of, “What do I wear today?” you need to plan your attire before you get ready for a day at work.
Now that we have established the importance of power dressing, why don’t we help you with some basic “whats and whys” so you wear your attitude to work and climb the corporate ladder in comfort?
Here are some simple power-dressing moves to help you with your office wardrobe:
- Dress according to your industry -
How a lawyer dresses is very different from how a designer dresses. Just keep this fact in mind and dress according to your profession and the industry you work in. You are dressing up for success, and that, at times, might mean that you have to leave your neon blouses at home! Choose color and cuts that will resonate with your profession, and let your clothes tell your clients or colleagues that you are dependable and efficient.
2. Wear seasonally-appropriate clothing -
Nothing defines carelessness as sweat stains on your dress during a meeting. Dress according to season and let your body be comfortable with what you wear. While you cannot experiment much with colors or styles, you can definitely change fabrics according to the seasons. In addition to making you look charming and dressed-well for the job, choosing fabrics according to the season will keep you more comfortable, and thus, focussed.
3. Let your personality shine -
While you have to stick to the power-dressing norms of your industry, you can still make a lasting impression by showcasing your personality. The color of your suit, skirt, or blouse, the handle of your bag, the shade of your lipstick, and the buckle of your belt can speak volumes about your personality.
4. Say no to cleavage -
If you are trying to move up the corporate ladder, then cleavages are a big no-no, even if they are unintentional. They speak otherwise about your capabilities and can sexualize your attire. It’s best to check your necklines while buying new dresses or blouses. Having said this, you also need to make sure that your clothes are not baggy and fit you flawlessly. It might sound tricky, but if you look around, you will find all your perfect necklines!
5. Splurge selectively -
“Formal clothes can burn your pockets, but you cannot cut back much on your workwear.” False.
You will have to spend good money on your office suits, but you can cut back on your blouses. An expensive and well-tailored pair of trousers can be paired with several blouses. Invest selectively, and you can cut a bit on other things.
By the way, never compromise on your handbag and shoes. You have to work in your shows the day long, and a beautiful pair of pumps lined with something comfortable will keep you more focussed and happy than pretty pumps with no support. And well, your handbag makes a statement, so never compromise on that!
Remember, power dressing is not about expensive and branded clothes but about expressing your expertise and authority in your field. No matter how much we deny it, your dress is an important factor behind you being taken seriously.
In addition to these tips, make sure that you always dress in clean and ironed clothes, and are comfortable in them (don’t forget your shoes; a painful shoe can never be hidden!) If you have taken care of all these things, then you’re good to go and rock the world.
If you are worried that you would need to wake up early to plan your attire in time for your office, then worry not; we have you sorted here. Check out this blog on how to organize one’s day efficiently, and we bet you’ll be glad you came across it!
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Image Credits — Google
Originally published at https://www.fuzia.com.