Dress for success in the (hybrid) workspace

The way you dress for work communicates a message to your colleagues, clients and to those you’re in contact with. Do you dress with confidence or is this an area of your life that you don’t pay much attention to? I recently had the honour of sharing some insights with the RecruitMyMom team in a virtual workshop. As a fully remote team, they needed the latest tips on how to dress appropriately for a remote and hybrid office space.

Below are some of the tips I shared with them, and I trust they will add value to you as well.

 

First impressions count

What makes an individual an asset to their workplace largely depends on their skill, work ethic, how they perform their duties and by the way they interact with colleagues and clients. Each individual person brings something wonderful and unique to the table which means that showing up as the best version of yourself is never a waste of time and energy.

The way you dress tells a story about who you are and what you bring to the table which is why wardrobe matters in the workplace. How you choose to dress gives an impression, and it reveals who you are. Dress appropriately, and according to your professional personality and you shine, wear something that doesn’t fit or is see-through to a job interview or corporate office, and it’ll be tough to earn the respect of those around you.

 

Have you ever heard of the halo effect?

The halo effect happens when someone judges a person’s qualities by other unrelated, usually physical qualities. For example, someone may believe a person is not highly skilled simply based on how they are dressed rather than by the skills and expertise they offer. This effect supports rapid decision-making and even biased ones, which is not ideal in the workplace. As women in the workplace, biases are not something we want to feed into.

In as early as 1920, American psychologist Edward L Thorndike, observed that military officers tended to rank tall, conventionally attractive subordinates, as more competent, intelligent, and as better leaders. This judgement was made without having spoken to these subordinates. Psychologist Solomon Asch later built on Thorndike’s findings and determined that first impressions have a profound effect on how you form an opinion of someone. People tend to attribute personal qualities to others based on how they look.

A positive first impression of someone could mean that you make positive assumptions about their skills and abilities. A negative first impression could mean you incorrectly assume that the person has negative qualities, such as laziness or apathy. For example, a sharply dressed co-worker might be judged as being more competent than a co-worker who shows up wearing a t-shirt.

It is said that 55% of first impressions are made by what is visual, what people see on the outside. Only 38% is from what people hear, and the remaining 7% rests in the words people say. Although I’m not looking to tackle this phenomenon head on, it’s safe to say that how you dress for work, for a job interview or for your colleagues and clients will leave an impression.

 

How to dress for work: success starts in your wardrobe

Have you ever stood in front of your wardrobe before work and felt like you have nothing to wear? The truth is that most women wear 20% of the clothes that they own 80% of the time. The tips below will help you make daily decisions that you can look and feel your best in.

 

Choose styles that are appropriate for the workplace

Every profession and company have a dress code which forms part of the company culture. If you work at an advertising agency you would dress differently to how you would dress if you worked at a law firm. It’s important to wear what is appropriate for your office or virtual office space and save some more personal style favourites for other aspects of your life.

As an example, if you work in a corporate environment but your natural style preference is either bohemian, alluring or eccentric then this should not be reflected in your office attire. Rather aim for a slightly more formal dress code, and you’ll be seen as more of an expert in the workplace.

This tip can also be useful for women working in a corporate world where there are surrounded by men. Dress with a little boldness and professionalism will go a long way to breaking biases. At the same time, use your boho and alluring pieces for personal time, beach time and for date night with your spouse.

 

Some guidelines for choosing an outfit for work

• Collars, lapels, and necklines frame the face and therefore makes them a significant focal point of any garment. Boatneck and a modest V-neck style are safe choices for most women.
• Avoid anything that is too tight fitting, too sheer or flimsy and anything where the neckline is too deep. You will not be taken seriously if you show too much skin.
• Sleeveless styles and spaghetti straps are not considered appropriate for most business environments, unless covered by a jacket. Jackets will instantly add credibility and professionalism.
• Other than 4 or 5 professional shirts/blouses for virtual meetings, probably your best investment is a good classic blazer. A flattering neutral colour will make a good starting point of any wardrobe.

 

Style tips to keep in mind when fitting your clothes:

• Tight horizontal wrinkles indicate that the garment is too small. Choose something that fits you well and doesn’t stretch too much.
• Loose vertical folds indicate the garment is too big. Choose an item that fits you properly and doesn’t hang in an awkward position.
• Buttons should close without gaping or strain. If buttons are straining, then you might need a slight size adjustment.
• Lingerie lines and bra straps should not be visible. Choose something discrete and make sure the clothing is not see-through.
• Make sure that the underwear you’ve chosen fits you perfectly, with bra sizes make sure you are measured properly and find something that is the correct size for you and is 100% comfortable.

 

Basic everyday grooming

Getting the basics of everyday grooming right makes a big difference. Neat nails (preferably short to medium nails, not chipped), a touch of perfume and a beautiful smile can go a long way for either a virtual or an in-office environment.

• Make sure your hair is clean, and that the style suits your face shape and type of hair. You can always ask your hairstylist for some tips on this, they will often have great suggestions to keep things simple.
• Stay away from eccentric hairstyles in a corporate environment. If your hair is longer than shoulder length it should be swept back to prevent it from falling onto the face or over the eyes. Most tinted hair will need the roots retouched at least every six weeks.
• Take care of your skin and seek help for problem skin conditions from a dermatologist.
• Everyday makeup should enhance your natural features but can be moderate. Make sure that blending is done and that you touch up during the day if needed. During virtual meetings you need to pay a little bit extra attention to your makeup as the focus is on the face area.
• Groomed eyebrows as well as the use of concealer and mascara is important. Blot or powder an oily complexion and in order not to look too pale I would recommend a warm blush with coral or golden undertones for a healthy, fresh look.
• In general, it is best to cover tattoos and remove facial piercings unless you work in a creative environment or depending on what’s acceptable to your company culture.

 

Tips to look your best during virtual meetings:

Virtual meetings are the norm for many organisations today. Dressing appropriately for a virtual meeting is important, remember, you are still in your professional capacity when meeting colleagues and clients online. Make sure you follow these tips to look your best to make a great impression.

• If you are working remotely, you could take the formality down slightly. Comfort is more expected in a remote work office, although veer away from being completely effort-free.
• If you’re on video calls often, make sure the camera is at eye level with you, and that the lighting is correct on your face so that others can see you clearly.
• Take note of your posture and avoid poor posture when in virtual meetings.
• Business casual attire will make you look authentic and trustworthy. Formal attire will make you look more like an expert. When in doubt, add a structured blazer, which looks great on camera without being overstated.
• A simple guideline when working on screen is to keep the designs and styles as simple and versatile as possible. Bold solid colours are in general a good choice to create contrast with your background.
• In general, blue/navy, and grey (not too light grey) are good colours to wear. They reflect trust, confidence, stability, and calm.

 

Eyewear:

When working on a screen, keep in mind that eyewear can be another barrier between you and the person on the other side of the screen.

3 tips when choosing your frame for virtual meetings:

1. Frames should not be wider than the widest part of the face.
2. Rimless frames open the face and are effective when the wearer is sitting in front of a screen.
3. Avoid dark, square frames on a mature face.

 

Accessories:

One of the ways you can show up and look good in a virtual meeting is to accessorise appropriately. Here are two tips when looking for accessories.

1. Don’t wear distracting headwear.
2. Use jewellery but keep it simple, elegant, and stylish.

 

Should you wish to learn more about what works best for your unique personality, style, and professional environment, I suggest you invest in a colour and style analysis.

Some of the topics we will cover is:

• Face shape and how we can use our face shape as guideline for hairstyles and for the jewellery we choose to wear
• The correct use of definition in the clothes you choose for your career
• Your best neutrals and colours to build your office/leisure wardrobe
• What colours to wear above the waist (avoid looking sick and help choosing correct hair colour).
• How colour can be used to establish credibility and authority

 

Get in touch with me for more information. As an image consultant, wardrobe planner and personal shopper, I’m passionate about helping my clients along in their journey to looking and feeling their best. My ethos is rooted in gaining that inner confidence, which is so beautifully reflected on the outside, with a few practical steps. Get in touch with me today and let’s organise y and build your curated wardrobe!

 

Written in collaboration with the RecruitMyMom editorial team.