As someone who works from home, my working attire is generally, to be honest, jeans. I love jeans! I own so many pairs, it’s basically all I buy. But I have to admit, I often miss getting dressed up to go to work (don’t get me wrong, I still get up early, exercise and take a shower, the only way a person can be successful who works from home is to treat your job like, well, a job). I also see a lot of fashion missteps out and about in the world (clubwear – a definite no!). So I thought I would post a few tips about work dressing just in case you’re one of those who still thinks that the bandage dress or yoga pants (unless you’re a yoga instructor) is fab work wear!
No matter what industry you’re working in, first impressions are everything. Things would be easier if the “don’t judge a book by its cover” adage was applicable in the world of business, but sadly, this is not the case. As clichéd as it sounds, Six Sigma explains, “The main reason why dressing in proper business attire is important for every business professional is because it gives the message that you are dedicated to your position.”
Other than the obvious fact that you’ll appear like an executive and be taken seriously, learning how to dress the part can actually make you feel empowered. In support of the global campaign Dress for Success, plus size women’s brand Woman Within promotes confidence through its clothes, targeted to help them through a lifetime of experiences so that they may achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves, proving that a sleek blazer can do more than just make you look smart.
You probably know the basics of achieving that professional look, such as ironing out your clothes, sticking to neutrals and keeping the accessories to a minimum, but here are some extra tips here are a couple tricks of the trade:
1) When in doubt, overdress rather than underdress
Forbes reminds us that your attire will be determined by the industry, time of year and even geographic location of your meeting, but if you ever feel unsure of your outfit, it’s safer to overdress than be wearing something casual.
2) A leather bag will come in handy
The great thing about leather bags is that they’re usually big enough to fit letter-sized documents, which is really important for the workplace. Love to Know suggests you opt for one in black since it works well to conceal any stains.
3) Keep your hair and makeup neat and simple
Commanding all the right attention in the boardroom is not only limited to the clothes, shoes and accessories you have on; it’s also about the hair and makeup that you were. Don’t go overboard with the beauty products, and maybe wear your hair in a ballerina bun, which beauty and fashion expert Lauren Conrad describes as feminine yet authoritative, perfect for any female powerhouse.
