There has been a lot of outspoken disdain for those who dress up for work. There is even more frustration aimed at employers who require any sort of dress code in a modern workplace. How can you strive to be the best dressed at work and not make everyone uncomfortable?
To start, I have always dressed up for work. My grandfather wore a suit to work every day for forty years, and I thought that was the coolest thing. I associated the suit, as well as the pomp and circumstance, with strength, confidence, and respect.
When I finally started my career, I wanted to implement that level of formality into my life. There were a few problems, though. First, I live in the southeast with ridiculously hot summers that require more breathability than the polyester suits I could afford. Next, there were my roles. I was lower on the management ladder, which required me to go outside and work with equipment at times. Lastly, there was a corporate dress code of “absolutely no ties.” This was from the CEO himself. I didn’t know it was a rule until he told another employee that in front of the entire office. No, suits every day weren’t going to fly. So I instituted four rules to elevate my style in the casual office.
1: Always Wear A Collar
2: Always Tuck In My Shirt
3: Never Wear Sneakers At Work
4: Wear A Sport Coat Once Per Week
These rules served me well enough through my time at the company. It was enough that I always got compliments on my appearance, but not enough that I didn’t offend anyone. I was always dressed a little nicer than anyone who wasn’t C-Suite, and, to this day, I still attribute my appearance to having gained me some of the attention needed for promotions.
When I left that industry and started in tech, things changed a lot. My four rules made me stick out more. What was worse, I was seated next to a coworker who adopted shorts and sandals as their daily uniform. I started wearing T-Shirts on occasion, but mainly the company-branded ones. That is, until I got called out by a customer over a video call for casual attire. That is when I knew I needed a new set of rules.
I decided that I no longer needed to blend in with my colleagues. That I was unique, and that was where some of my value lived. I knew how I wanted to dress, and that was professionally. I tried casual wear in the workplace, but it undermined my confidence, made me look younger, and I noticed it lowered my effectiveness working with more formal clients. So I built my wardrobe and new rules that I try to follow every week, even while working from home.
1: Wear a Suit At Least Once Per Week (Even if it’s with a T-shirt)
2: Buttoned Down Shirt Or Jackets In Every Meeting
3: If You Are Meeting Anyone In Person, No Sneakers
4: Only One T-Shirt Day Per Week
5: No Shorts At Work
6: Always Have An Analog Watch And A Pen
These rules help me adapt, but maintain that elevated office appearance. I am never caught off guard by an executive ambush. I never have to explain why I am dressed nicely (the dreaded, “Do you have an interview?” question). Most of all, it helps me maintain my confidence through executive presence.
That is what executive presence means: ready to look like you can lead. It is the way you look, speak, and carry yourself. It’s showing that you could be ready at any moment to represent the company in a positive and professional way, and no one worries that you will embarrass the team by being overly comfortable. Consistency is key. Your team has to be used to seeing you being professional regularly, imbue you with the characteristic of having executive presence. Your puctuality, preparedness, and confidence. The kind my grandfather had.
Now my rules won’t be your rules, but if you want to use them, you can. They have served me well. What matters is that you have a code that aligns with your personality, station, and goals. We have had enough time to dress like children everywhere we go. If you are uncomfortable dressing well, it is because it takes experience and confidence. Both those things are characteristics of professionals who take things seriously. Try it out for a while and see how your confidence is affected and how you are noticed. We could do much worse than having a few more well-dressed adults around.