I work for a very, very flip-flop friendly company, and believe me when I say we all take full advantage of the dress code. Jeans, t-shirts and casual button-up shirts are more common than slacks, polos and blazers. Plus, we live in
However.
I am obsessed with TV shows about fashion like TLC’s What Not to Wear and Bravo’s Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style so I tend to think about what my clothes say about me. I wear denim religiously to work but I try to break up the monotony by wearing a cute jacket over a t-shirt or, if I’m really ambitious, a pretty sweater or blouse instead. Nothing fancy.
By no means am I a fashionista but what you wear affects how you present yourself. The proof is in every episode in both of those shows: when a person puts on clothes that fit and flatter their body type, and has their hair done and face polished, they exude a completely different level of confidence. It’s amazing. And of course, how you present yourself – especially in the professional world or as an adult — plays a huge role in how other people perceive and interact with you.
So I ask: When you’re working in an uber-casual environment, how casual is too casual? Do you agree with the stylists on the shows who say that what you wear at work has a direct affect on your success?
Is it bad to wear sweats or go to work with your hair wet? How about no makeup or wearing flip-flops without a pedicure? What about wearing sneakers, old jeans and a faded t-shirt? (And by faded, I don’t mean that trendy vintage, “distressed” look…)
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I will say that how I dress has a direct impact on my success. The days that I really take the time to do my hair, my make-up and wear something other than gauchos, my whole day seems more productive and on the right track! The saying ‘dress for success’ is rightfully so because its like a domino effect. Dress nice- feel great- give off positive energy- receive nothing but positive energy back (kind of like ‘The Secret’ mentality)!
Dressing “nice” is in the eye of the beholder.
If you work in an office where no one sees you but other co-workers, the need to “dress up” doesn’t fit as well as trying to land multi-million dollar religious advertising accounts in a corporate board meeting.
The trick is to look put together while putting in modern & popular styles.
The past 10 years people have gotten into wearing flip flops for everything. Maybe it’s a generational difference. But toes are no longer private parts even in many strict dress codes. You CAN attend a board meeting these days without pantyhose and wear open shoes. Ties can go by the wayside, which has been updated to a 3button Polo shirt with a company logo. Blue jeans are diverse enough now to wear all days of the week – not just Fridays.
That’s a good thing though. Styles always change. Glad they are changing for comfort & not for staunchiness.
As a business owner, I see nothing wrong with a nice looking conservative dress, or pantsuit, teamed with a decent looking pair of flip flops. Maybe not $2.00 plastic ones with a huge flower over them. But, the $3.00 black Old Navy ones look decent enough. I’m not looking under desks to see if they are leather, plastic, have a thong between the toes, etc. They can be barefoot as long as I care as long as the employee is presentable and working efficiently.
Faded, holey T shirts & sweatpants to work in retail I would still say no to.
With the 70s and 80s back in style, I just loving vintage clothing from the thrift shops. You can find designers like Chanel and Armani for cheap there. Ebay is great too!
I was part of the fashion industry in NY and CA for many years and have worked in PR for some of the top women business owners in the U.S. And I have lived across the country including S.CA as I am now. Over the years the business dress has changed although there is one thing that has not changed: How you dress determines your career and success–even as a business owner. EVEN in S.CA-going to work with wet hair and a pair of sweats shows you don’t care about yourself nor your job-it’s a direct reflection on your work ethic (or people will perceive it that way)–also from a seasoned professional standpoint-people do make comments about provocative dress styles for work. Flip flops without a pedicure is just tacky. Sneakers, old jeans and a faded shirt are also signs that you don’t care about your job or yourself.
You need to decide for yourself your style and it your career choice fits your style also–a friend of mine worked at a well known sports apparel mfg. in Boston for awhile-everyone was super casual and she thought it was okay for awhile and then the super casual attitude began to show up through the work ethic and she ended up leaving a great job due to it.
By the way-I live in S.CA. and if you go to a NAWBO OC or NAWBO LA meeting (women business owners of all ages and styles) You will see some of the best dressed (not always expensive and varied in styles) women in CA. AND they are all based in S.CA.
So just think about it-you may be an artist, a video game designer, or a cake designer (just giving you some diversity)-and your style reflects your career-it also creates your brand-and your brand speaks louder than words.
Sylvia: FANTASTIC examples of how clothing can affect your success! I love how you point out that it affects your personal brand, too. Each of us has a personal brand and I don’t think a lot of people really think about theirs. Thanks for sharing!
Here’s a guy example:
Working in a laboratory setting, attire is functional and very casual. I was one of few people working the afternoon shift on a warm summer day so I decided to ride my bike into work. I had on an old pair of bleach-stained cutoffs and a worn t-shirt. Didn’t think much of it until the Department Head, a well-respected scientist, brought a tour group through our building. While giving a brief overviw to the group about the project I was working on, one of the members of the group asked if I was a student. The Dpartment Head assured him that “No. We don’t have any students here. All our technicians are professional.”
My appearance had immediately affected my credibilty with people who could be important for firm I work for.
From that experience, I now have an increased awareness and a sense of responsibility towards the professional image of the firm I represent and also towards how I present myself. “You only get one chance to make a first impression.”
{ 2 trackbacks }