Making a good first impression is as important in business as in everyday life. And while we would all like to be judged on the content of our character, it turns out clothes can make a sizable difference in how we form initial opinions of others. In fact, a study showed that men dressed in a bespoke suit were found to appear more confident, successful, better paid, and more flexible. This indicates that as much as we wish it were different, clothes can go a long way to making a man or woman successful—especially in the corporate world.
So, how should one dress for success at a corporate event? Well, this will depend mainly on what type of event it is. For example, a team-building camping retreat will require a much different wardrobe than a conference for junior bankers. However, there are a few simple edicts that any office worker can follow to ensure they have dressed appropriately for their corporate event.
Consider Understated Ensembles
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When it comes to dressing for work-related social events, staying on the traditional side of fashion is always a good idea. For example, a blazer or sportcoat will always be suitable for men in the workplace. Likewise, a simple black dress will work for almost any corporate event.
But being modest doesn’t mean forgoing fashion altogether. For those that are willing to look, cute yet humble outfits can still be had. For example, modest dresses come in various fashions, making it easy to find one to suit almost any type. The best options will provide plenty of coverage for the arms and shoulders, offer little cleavage, and fall past the knees. Are you going to a less formal event? Consider a gingham maxi or floral midi dress for a break from the boorish.
Dressing modestly also doesn’t mean you can’t dress with flair as your workplace allows. Fashionable pins and brooches can be a great way to add some pizazz to an otherwise dull ensemble. In general, keeping the underlying outfit simple allows for greater creativity regarding accessories.
Wear Clothes That Compliment Your Body Type
Being comfortable in your clothes goes a long way towards building outer confidence that others will find attractive. One way to ensure you’re comfortable with what you are wearing is to ensure that the clothes complement your body type. After all, everyone won’t be able to pull off every look. For example, clothing for an hourglass body type likely won’t jibe with what may make a pear body type look good.
Finding the right style of clothes can take some time. So feel free to experiment with novel styles until you find one that works for you. For example, if you’re looking for a slimming style, go for stripes and blacks.
Still not sure where to begin or what your body type is? Fashion blogger Gabrielle Arruda has a handy guide for dressing for any body type.
Don’t Overlook Shoe Choices
Sneakers won’t cut it for most corporate events unless you’re an NBA star or work in Silicon Valley. So instead, men should wear laced dark brown or black dress shoes. A safe choice for women would be polished black shoes. Women may wear heels or flats as they choose to, but the height of the heels should be low to medium.
Take Care of Personal Hygiene
While not a part of standard dress per se, personal hygiene is no less important to making a good impression. All distinct aspects of personal care should be handled well before any corporate event. Doing so means ensuring all hair is adequately groomed, facial hair is trimmed, and fingernails are neat.
One area of hygiene that is often overlooked is applying too much perfume. It is always important to take care when using perfumes or aftershave, as too much can prove overpowering olfactory-wise—and most people don’t realize they are putting too much on as they go nose blind.
Don’t Be Afraid of Repeats
The fashionistas among us may gasp in horror at the thought of wearing the exact fit twice. However, if you find an outfit that works for you, there is no reason not to wear it again. (Just be sure that your clothes are properly laundered in-between uses.) The rise of the mix-and-match wardrobe has made repeats almost fashionable. And there are many reasons besides reducing decision fatigue and being eco-friendly to repeat. One last example is that wearing the same clothes can help the wearer be more comfortable in their outfits.
Look for Free Fashion Help
Finally, there is tons of freestyling advice if you know where to look. Professional stylists will often offer free consultations so you can tell if their style meshes with your own. Additionally, most of these sultans of style will have their own social media accounts. Looking through these can be a great place to look for inspiration and tips.
