Mindset

Dress for success

By Terriane Palmer

We live in a highly visual society, even Presidents recognise the importance of being camera savvy.

You only need to listen to the news to see how much attention is being placed on what President Obama and his wife Michelle are wearing. Celebrities hire stylists to send out the right message and avoid being ranked on the ‘Worst Dressed Celebrity’ lists. Companies spend billions of dollars to project an image that differentiate themselves from their competition and become the product or service of choice.

At work, you are the brand. And your look is your logo. The effort you put into choosing clothes that reflect who you are, sends a clear message about what you have to offer and where you want to go. It gives you control of your identity or at least influences others’ impression of it.

Your goal is to wear clothes that give you credibility – that are appropriate to your environment and convey a message of professionalism, polish and authenticity. Ask yourself:

1. Are all your clothes versatile and do they work well together?
2. Is your wardrobe expansive enough to be appropriate for any occasion?
3. Do you know what colours suit you and what message they unconsciously send out?
4. Honestly - does everything fit you or does it need alterations?
5. Are all your clothes in good condition or do they need repairs? Perhaps even donation to your local charity house?
6. Do you have a yearly budget for your career wardrobe?
7. Do all your clothes make you feel and look comfortable and confident?

Anything less than a congruent Yes to all the above questions means you are selling yourself short and potentially missing opportunities in the career ladder of success.

"It's always better to be looked over than over-looked"— Mae West

Here are some basic principles to follow when dressing for work:

• Be appropriate. An office or industry is like a club. Look like you are a member, not a guest.
• Be professional. Know whether your dress code is Traditional Corporate, Business Casual or something else. Dress in clothes that say 'I mean business'.
• Be yourself. Dress to reflect your potential. Let your personality and desire to succeed show through.
• Be comfortable. Dress according to your body shape and personality. You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing. There is no use dressing how you think you should only to reflect internally how uncomfortable you really are. Remember though, comfortable dress does not mean sloppy.
• Be strategic. Clothes can make you memorable for all the right reasons. Ask yourself what your goals are, then dress accordingly. If you have a high profile and want to be part of the team, dress like the other team players. If you want your boss to notice you, model their style of dress - they'll love the compliment or at least give you more compliments!

Wearing clothes that actively serve you is an ongoing process. Styles change. Your age changes. Your body may change. You might have a career change. It's important to continually monitor this change and notice the subtle shifts in dress codes plus nonverbal and visual communication.

Consistently look at your reflection in the mirror, stand in front of your closet and ensure your clothes are appropriate, goal effective and making the most of who you are so that they are working for you and as hard as you do.

Terriane Palmer is a trainer for the Christopher Howard Companies and a director of TAP INTO IMAGE PTY LTD and BMS FUSION PTY LTD. www.tapintoimage.com.au