Have you ever wondered why you weren’t considered for a position that you applied for? Have you ever looked at your coworkers and wondered why they were chosen instead of you when you were more knowledgeable? Or maybe you even wondered where they thought they were going when they got dressed that morning. Working in the financial industry, I realized early on in my career that the men and women who took a few extra minutes in the morning to prepare themselves, were more successful. Dressing in a professional manner lifts your spirits, and encourages others to address you with respect in the workplace.
Growing up, my elders pounded the notion in my head that I should always dress for the job I am going for, and not the job I am currently working. With this mindset, I always dressed in corporate attire so that my coworkers and Management knew that I meant business when I came to work. I would start the week off strong, and slowly work my way down to casual clothing by the end of the week:
- Monday with a black blazer, a collared blouse, and black pants to match my blazer. On
- Tuesday, I would wear a nice blouse and a pencil skirt, with a solid color heels to match.
- Wednesday, I would wear a one piece dress and kitten heels. Always remember your heels should be no higher than 2 inches in the workplace.
- Thursday and Friday, I would wear a collared polo shirt, with jeans free of holes or tears, which mean no distressed jeans. The jeans should not fit like a glove, but have room for you to breathe in, and move about freely.
You are going to work, not to a nightclub. Wear clothing that your skin can breathe in, but not too loose where it looks like you came to work to relax. Also, do remember that you can wear fitted clothing, but not too tight. For example, you do not want to highlight your flaws by wearing clothing that accentuates your “muffintop.” Not only is it uncomfortable to walk around in for eight hours, but it is also a distraction to others. You don’t want to attract the wrong attention by dressing provocatively, as it is often times hard to escape that stereotype once you are looking to be promoted within the company.
