Dressing for Success Still Matters

Written by Kathy McFadden and Janet Wood Thursday, November 25 2010

Prior to 1965 corporate business attire was basically etched in stone. A man wore a dark suit, white shirt, and tie; a woman wore a business suit. Her blouses were white, pink, or blue, and they were worn with either a ribbon bow at the neck or pearls. Shoes were closed-toe pumps with a heel of approximately two inches.

At the beginning of the 1970s, women started to wear jackets and pants to work.

It’s funny now to read about all the uproar caused by women choosing the comfort of pants, as they left the skirts and heels home in the closet. The men were outraged.

Moving in to the 1990s the whole game changed. Casual Friday was born. Quickly, it became casual Monday through Friday. Human resource departments were having nightmares about what was considered appropriate dress codes for their companies now that every day was casual. The standards of acceptable clothing had gone out the window.

Four years ago, we walked into a Washington D.C., office and were greeted by the receptionist. Our eyes had a hard time moving away from her belly and numerous piercings revealed by a midriff top and low-cut, skin-tight pants. Everyone has only seven seconds to make a first impression; her selection of clothing was so appalling that you can easily guess ours. Even now we still talk about her look. While she may have been the extreme, she was far from the last person we have seen dressed inappropriately at work.

Some women have said to us that they are not on the top management floors or involved with clients so no one sees them during the day. They couldn’t be more wrong. They have to enter the building, sometimes use the elevator, go to the bathroom, eat lunch, and leave at night. Unless you work at home, you are always seen by others, and sometimes those people are top management. I (Kathy) had the pleasure of talking with a vice president in one of the world’s largest corporations at a luncheon. I asked him if he paid attention to how his employees dress. Without hesitation he said, “Absolutely.” It doesn’t matter what department you work in or what floor you work on, someone is assessing your dress. You are noticed whether you know it or not, so make it work for you.

McFadden

The variation in company dress codes is astounding these days. What is acceptable for one company is not for another. However, there is a standard for professional dress. Remember that being well groomed from head to toe is a must. Make sure your clothes are pressed and stain free. Just like men, make sure your shoes are polished. In the “olden days,” open-toe shoes were not acceptable. In some corporations that is still the case unless is it summer. When in doubt, opt for the closed-toe shoe.

Wood

Remember when wearing pants to make sure they are loose enough so that the material does not create a “camel toe” at your crotch. They need to slide over your hips and abdomen without bulges showing. You would not have made it this far in your career without knowing that a too-tight shirt or sweater is not a professional look. Be aware of how your top fits on your back. There is nothing more unattractive than a sweater that shows bulges over the back of a bra. Your look needs to be enhancing, not distracting. See-through tops are never appropriate for work. Jewelry and makeup is determined by the area of the country where you reside. What is acceptable in Dallas or California would never work in New York City. However, when in doubt, less is more.

Freedom of expression with clothing is great when you are on your own time. But with the market is so tight these days, you really need to give yourself an edge at work. Apply your individual formula to all of your clothes to ensure that your outfit is tailored correctly and that you have your best look 100 percent of the time. The saying, “Dress for the position you want, not the position you have,” is true. Look and do your best, and the position and money will follow.

Janet Wood is CEO, and Kathy J. McFadden is president of Fashion Fit Formula, www.fashionfitformula.com.