It’s probably safe to say that most of us prefer to dress more casually for work – for convenience and ease of movement, if nothing else.
But some corporate watchers are worried that this trend will spell a nosedrive in work ethics, professionalism, and productivity.
Is this concern justified?
Mrs Christina Ong, a corporate and personal image development consultant at ImageWorks Asia Pte Ltd, said: “Some employees, when given the go-ahead, can go overboard with their T-shirts, jeans and sandals. There’s some truth in the notion that you can change your attitudes by changing what you wear.
“When you dress more formally, you create a more authoritative impression. More importantly, you influence your self-perception.”
She cited a personal example: “Years ago, when I was doing community work, I pitched for a huge corporate sponsorship to the tune of $280,000.
“Everything about this pitch had been going well. Then one morning, the company’s decision-maker called me at home.
“It was eight in the morning – I hadn’t got dressed, I hadn’t brushed my teeth or combed my hair – I looked a mess! I was facing the mirror and I kept fumbling over my words because the reflection was saying to me: ‘Look at you! You don’t have what it takes to clinch this deal.’
“In less than five minutes, I blew everything.”
So, yes, while we might like to dress less formally for work, the threat to our performance can be real.
Be aware of expectations
What should we do?
Mrs Ong advised: “Be keenly aware that you need to be sensitive to the different profiles of your customers, but stay within the expectations people have of your profession.”
Most people like to conduct business with those they feel comfortable with, that is, people like themselves. You are more effective when you reach out to your clients on the level they are at.
But remember you have a professional image to upkeep. We all have stereotypes of what we think certain professionals should look like.
The closer you are to that expectation, the easier it is for others to accept you.
Sounds like a contradiction? It isn’t.
Imagine you go to a specialist who tells you that you need to remove your gallstones. You’d probably feel more confident about his diagnosis if he looked like your idea of a doctor.
If he were dressed in a T-shirt and Bermudas, you’d probably think twice about letting him operate on you!
By the same token, it can be very imtimidating if he is too aloof.
You’re likely to be more comfortable with him if he dresses to convey that he knows his stuff, yet is approachable and consultative.
Start from neutral…
- Honor the standards set by your profession and what clients expect of you, but you can play within these confines as long as you stay sensitive to your clients.
- Ask yourself in the morning: “Who am I seeing today? What should I wear to create a rapport but still look professional?”
- One solution is to buy clothes that are “neutral”.
For men: a nice plain shirt, a light-colored tie and a good pair of pants. Then, if you need to be more formal, change your tie and throw on a jacket.
For women: a single shift dress which can be dress up with a jacket, scarf and brooch to achieve a more formal look.
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