Why 'Dress for Success' Still Matters

By Nichola English.

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the phrases “Dress for success” or “Dress for the job you want”. But how can slipping on a smart outfit or suit make you feel or act in a successful way? 

Well, science says if you want to be more successful, then you may have to dress smarter and in a way that’s not just inconsequential. When you wear a tailored suit or smart attire it really has a transformational vibe and feels good, which in-turn can make you more productive.

It's simple psychology really – your clothing affects how you act and feel. For example, wearing trainers puts you in the mood to exercise, but heels enhance your posture and give you a feeling of glamorous, sassy confidence. So, it stands to reason that a smart suit or outfit will put you in the mood to be more productive and perform at your absolute best. 

The science behind dressing for success shows that you’ll likely be inclined to be more creative, make decisions quicker and assume a more professional demeanour. Clothing companies also recognise how much of an effect dressing has on people. That’s why they take extra measures to provide comfort and ensure functionality in their clothing brands. Your appearance is not just about you, it can be influential to others as well. Plus it's important to portray a good image to your colleagues and clients.

"Your relationship between yourself and your clothing is individually unique to you, so building a wardrobe that represents you is most critical for work or play.”

How dressing for success works

What is it?

It’s a process by which you market yourself to others, whether you’re employed, run a successful business or are an entrepreneur. It can help you climb the career ladder, or it can be the key to sealing the deal with clients. 

Promotes self-respect

If you take the time, effort and pride into dressing well, then you’ll undoubtedly radiate an image of self-respect and self-worth. People will see you and think confidently of you as it’s clear you respect yourself and what you do.

Enhances your self-confidence

Your self-awareness has a great impact on how others perceive you. For example, when we feel good on the outside this transmutes into feeling good on the inside. This in turn helps boost your attitude and self-confidence and you’re more likely to step outside that warm fuzzy place called your comfort zone. 

Wear clothes to suit your personality

Psychologists have long believed that style is an important part of our lives and helps us to be confident and authentic. Through our own style we are constantly silently communicating our own story to the world, as our clothes can reflect our moods and personality. Therefore you need to create a wardrobe that matches your personality and dress in your own distinctive way. This communicates to the outside world that you’re comfortable, self-assured, and confident in your own skin.

Keep your look fresh and up to date

A fresh and current look shows that you’re up to date with your business, philosophies, and politics. Updating your clothes and having a polished style show’s your clients or boss that your skills and abilities are presented in a modern package, which helps you stay current in any given working market. Plus, this may be the ideal time to push your personal style forward with an update, refresh or overhaul. By using these quieter times to revamp your style brand identity or refocus your positioning, you can emerge from this present time with a fresh, up-to-date look that may help with promotions or grab consumers attention in all the right ways.

Final thoughts

The most important person is YOU!! You are the CEO of your career or business, and taking control of your wardrobe show’s you have complete control of your professional imprint. So, do something today to “Dress for Success”.

 Nichola English is addicted to fashion. From an early age picking out clothes for friends and family, she always had an eye for style which only expanded as she got older, eventually creating her business, The Wardrobe Provocateur. 

Nichola adores working with women (and men) across the world discovering personal style, reinventing that old tired wardrobe and realising new confidence and vitality through coaching, shopping and good old clearing out of the old. You can read her full story of becoming The Wardrobe Provocateur here.