As someone with a home office, I enjoy immensely the clothing benefits that accompany it. I can wear jeans most days and when it’s cold I can wear my ugg boots and no-one knows! But is the way we dress REALLY that important?
As much as we might want our expertise, skills and confidence to be the first thing that people notice, it is the way we dress when we are around clients, potential clients and other stakeholders that creates 90% of the first impression. And this varies for each business. It would not be appropriate for a tradesperson to arrive for a job wearing a suit. But arriving at my house with a branded polo shirt or t-shirt and clean attire will go a long way to projecting a professional image and promoting trust. Conversely, a solicitor wearing jeans and a midriff top is not likely to inspire me with confidence. And although slick talking and a winning smile may help to change my initial impression, why create a barrier? It is important to dress appropriately both for your industry and client base.
Some may argue that dressing in the way that people expect can also mean that you are not creating a particularly memorable impression – you look the same as everyone else in your industry. There is definitely room for self-expression: for example, you might be known as the person who always wears red shoes. But if you approach your dress sense in a "what you see is what you get" style, it may come across as idiosyncratic, rather than unique. Your boot-scootin’ gear might be awesome for the weekend, but not necessarily appropriate for projecting the brand of your business.
Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender
