For most of us, we spend Monday through Friday in an office. That means that most of our wardrobes are dedicated to looking our best at our 9 to 5 jobs. But have you ever stopped to think about what your workwear says about you? Are you living up to your company's culture and expectations? Are you dressing for the job you have or the job you want?
I work in a pretty casual environment. As an engineer many of my colleagues wear jeans to work everyday. Compounding an engineering job with the laid back approach of Southern California, very few folks wear more traditional workwear to the office. But there is something that you notice as you advance. The folks that are in meetings with directors, VPs and customers, dress more formally than the folks that spend more time at their desks or with their peers each day.
Honestly it was a hard adjustment for me, going to a more casual environment. Growing up in NYC, my high school had a uniform and dress down days were business casual. My wardrobe was primarily tailored shirts, pencil skirts and black dress pants. The few times I have been pushed into jeans at work, I was thrown for a loop. In fact, working in the desert for six months last year made me crave getting back into more traditional business attire.
I think there is something to be said about dressing for the job you want, not the one you have. It can never hurt you to be overdressed. What if you are called into a meeting last second with your boss's boss? Do you want to be in the underdressed or overdressed category?
While we hope that no one judges based on appearance, you know that is far from the truth. We all do it. It's part of human nature. So put yourself in the position to be best dressed at work. The extra effort could pay off in major dividends.
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