What Does Your Work Wardrobe Say About Your Personal Brand?

First impressions count for a lot, especially in the workplace; and that doesn’t just mean when you’re interviewing for a new job. The way you present yourself at work says a lot about your personal brand, and communicates to clients, employers, and fellow employees aspects of your personality which may or may not be accurate.

Although judging someone purely on their clothing is rarely a good idea, the first thing we see of someone is their physical appearance and we naturally draw conclusions about a person based on this. Depending on your workplace, you might have more or less of a say over what you get to wear at work, and therefore may be somewhat restricted already. But how do you balance professionalism with personality when it comes to choosing what to wear to work?

Whether you are a girly girl, a rock and roll queen, or a high fashion king, dressing appropriately for your workplace is key. As well as dressing appropriately for the company you work for (e.g. not wearing glitter shorts and a trendy top in a professional business environment) it’s also vital to take into account the practicality of what you are wearing. For many office jobs, an ironed shirt, pencil skirt, and small heels portray a professional image, however in an animal care work environment, for example, you would likely ruin your pristine shirt and heels before the end of the first day! Make sure to take note of any dress restrictions and recommendations from other employees, so your dress doesn’t negatively impact your work.

Washing, ironing, and taking care of your workwear is important no matter where you work. Whether you can wear your own clothes or have a specialist uniform, having clean workwear ensures that you aren’t spreading germs to your employees, customers, or patients and that you are representing the company well. Simply caring for your workwear shows that you are ready to work and have put the effort in to ensure your clothes are ironed and look good; especially in business environments and medical environments where cleanliness is key. As well as maintaining the health and confidence of your employees and customers, having a clean and well-maintained work outfit helps the clothes to last longer.

According to The Independent, it’s now only 1 in 10 employees who wear a suit to work; making this used-to-be workwear staple a thing of the past. When planning your workwear, be sure to stay up-to-date on the current workwear trends and don’t be either too formal or informal for your place of work. If you do decide to go down the suit route, then perhaps get a more modern suit or mix and match a suit jacket with some on-trend chinos, to ensure you are sending the message that you are aware of the current workwear trends. Represent both the company and yourself, as a forward thinking, fashionable individual who is up-to-date with the current styles.

From having a neat and tidy hairstyle to making sure your glasses fit well, taking care of the little things can be key to being successful in your workplace. Even the smallest elements of your appearance can influence people’s perceptions of you, including the little details which might give away that you’ve had a late night or have been in a rush in the morning. Without question, having well-kept shoes, brushed hair and well-maintained nails indicates that you are prepared and ready for the working day (whether you feel you really are or not!).