Dress For Success

The Queen of England once said, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot." What many people are reluctant to accept is that we are often judged by the way we dress. No matter what the situation business or social, our outward appearance sends a message.

Here’s a little test... Take a trip to the mall, and look at what people are wearing. Do you find yourself making judgments about who they are, their financial status, their personality, their profession, or whether or not they are trustworthy or competent?

Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility. It is important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your business in a positive and professional manner. Think about this.... if your business deals with fashion or beauty, wouldn’t it make sense to wear fashionable clothes, have a fashionable hairstyle, wear makeup to add life to your face and enhance your natural beauty (don’t over do it)? Wouldn’t you want to look your best at all times?

As you begin each work day, ask yourself “what image do I want to portray today”. If you want to come across casual and friendly, then dress in a stylish but casual outfit, clean washed face, light makeup for women or clean shaven for men, and a SMILE. If you want to come across as a confident business person, then dress in a business suit and be confident!

Of course, there is more to people than what they wear. Unfortunately, when dealing in the world of business, we have to remember the importance of a good first impression. Mental, emotional and physical health are also important factors to our success, and are often portrayed through appearance, actions and expressions.