What It Really Means To Dress For Success

You have probably heard the phrase “Dress for success” more times than you care to. Well, it is something that you need to learn to live by as you are going to be judged by what you are wearing your whole life. You wouldn’t show up for a formal interview in a tropical shirt, jean shorts, and sandals would you? If you they will probably laugh you right out the door. The right business attire will not only make you look good, but it will give you the confidence that you need to succeed. So, what does it really mean to dress for success and how does one go about achieving this very task?

Clean, Pressed, And Polished
Whether you are picking through prom dresses or choosing an interview outfit, you want something that is clean, pressed, and polished. Dressing for success means that you are showing up in attire that is in good shape, full laundered, and smells good. You don’t want something with holes in it or runs in your socks. You can own the most expensive suit in the world, but if you show up to an interview with it all wrinkled and smelly it isn’t going to win you any points. Take the time to iron your clothes properly. This is something that you can even do the night before.

The Right Fit
When choosing a prom dress, you want to choose one that fits perfectly and shows off your best features. That is what it means to dress for success. You want all your professional attire to fit properly. There is nothing wrong with borrowing professional attire from a friend or hitting up a goodwill shop, but you just want to make sure that you are choosing clothing that fits. If you choose attire that is too big and baggy it is going to give off the appearance that you are a child, which means you will be too young and inexperienced to work. If you choose something that is too small, you are going to come off as too revealing and you will probably be completely uncomfortable.

Shoes Are Key
Shoes are probably one of the most abused clothing items that there are. You are walking around on your shoes all day and they easily get scuffed, muddy, and dirty. That being said, your work shoes should never look like they have lost the battle to the weather. If the weather conditions are bad on the day of the interview or on your way to work simply put them in a bag and change when you arrive. Remember it might be a hassle to polish your shoes, but a good coating can go a long way and even offer extra protection.

Groom Yourself
Well-chosen attire isn’t going to get you anywhere if you aren’t properly groomed. Before you even start choosing your clothes, you need to make sure that you are well groomed. If you aren’t taking the time to take care of yourself is this going to give your employer or potential employer the impression that you are going to take the time to do a thorough job?