Do You Dress For Success ....or Failure?
by Susan Dunn
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More Details at: http://www.susandunn.cc
It strikes terror in the heart of some of us, while others
ignore it completely. Some of us are relieved there is one; others of us
resent it. The Dress Code: Does it affect your career, affect whether
you’re hired or not, affect how you’re treated on the job?
Definitely.
How
do you ‘manage’ this particular area of your life? It requires
emotional intelligence – some awareness, creativity, flexibility and
intuition, and a whole lot of common sense. For instance, in former
years I applied for a job at a major international law firm. At the
interview, we were handed one sheet of instructions. The second item
they chose to put on this piece of paper was, “Since you have chosen
to work in a conservative work environment ...”
It
went on to outline their strict dress code. Two of us were hired. The
other one later complained to me about the dress code there. I maintain
- she knew when she signed up, she agreed to it, she had no leg to stand
on. If you like to work out certain, um, conflicts in your life via the
dress code, that’s your choice. Otherwise, here are some tips.
THE
POLICY
Believe
what you read. Part of EQ is reality-testing. If you’re a free spirit
who likes to express herself through wardrobe and accessories, don’t
work for a conservative law firm. Being provocative is not emotionally
intelligent.
THE
REALITY
There’s
the P&P manual, and then there’s what really goes on. They don’t
always coincide. Once you’re hired and working, EQ would suggest that
you observe those around you and fit in. “When in
THE
BASICS
Start
with neat and clean. No rumples, stains, frayed edges, hanging hemlines.
Your clothes should look and smell clean and tidy.
Make
sure your clothes fit.
Go
easy on trends. A zebra-striped accent is okay. A total zebra look
…save it for a social occasion.
Watch
“heaviness”. Don’t load yourself down with big jewelry or weighty
fabrics.
Watch
what you do around your face. You should ‘set your face off,’ not
outshine it.
Aim
for a smooth look – no underwear lines, for instance.
Get
the classics. The Little Black Dress really can get you everywhere –
wear the right ‘tone’ of jewelry depending on your skin tone –
pearls, gold, silver, it makes all the difference. Experiment. Black
slacks and a white blouse (ivory, if you look sick in white, like I do)
can take you anywhere.
De-clutter.
Less is more.
Look
at yourself in the mirror and see what you see. If you’re applying for
work at a business or corporation, err on the side of conservatism. If
you work in an artistic field, you will, of course, have latitude. You
likewise have some latitude if you’re really good in a highly
competitive filed. Though I might not go so far as my young friend and
computer genius with the 4.0, who told me, “I could show up for an
interview with a bone in my nose and they’d hired me.”
CASUAL
DAY
Often
a nightmare for managers. Have you seen that memo circulating the
Internet that starts out “Starting March 1 we will have Casual Day on
Fridays”, proceeds through ”dashikis, turbans, bikinis, and gold
lame jumpsuits are not..." and ends with “Casual Day has been
canceled.”
Some
companies use phrases like “client dress code” and “meeting dress
code” to help the good-taste-challenged. If they don’t, use your
common sense, quintessential EQ. If there’s a big meeting, or clients
coming to the office, dress accordingly.
WHAT’S
IN & WHAT’S OUT
The
other day a friend of mine (we live in TX) was heading for the D. C.
area and asked for my advice re: wardrobe. I told her no florals, no
bright colors...” She interrupted with “How do you know?”
Well, because I get around. I look around. I care. My family moved every
2-3 years when I was growing up and in the summers I went to my
grandmother’s in a rural
People-watch.
When you see someone well put-together, who looks really good, analyze
why. Color? Fabric? Accessories or lack of them?
People-ask.
I can’t think of anything more flattering than to be asked how I
manage to look so good. Ask and you can learn theory. One thing you’ll
likely pick up, a la EQ, is that the person delights in dressing as they
do. They’re having fun. They’re creative. Then remember,
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
Read
magazines. Find some middle-of-the road magazine, something
down-to-earth. Try “Marie Claire.” It’s a bit pricey but you can
apply what you learn in a resale shop. FOR INSTANCE: They have “The
Best Jeans to Flatter Your Shape.” “Great-fitting jeans are the
ultimate wardrobe essential—and the hardest to find,” they say. I
agree. The editors’ pick for all figures happens to be $138, but I’d
pay that just to see if they actually flattered me: http://magazines.ivillage.com/marieclaire
.
Watch
tv shows with fashion in mind. Anchor people are good, too.
Use
the Internet.
Watch
who compliments you. One time I had on something I will not describe to
you, and a teenaged boy with purple spikey hair and 5 earrings brushed
past me in the store and said, “Like, dude, cool outfit.” It went in
the trash. What was I thinking?
Work
with a coach.
Like
everything else, dressing appropriately and attractively can be learned,
and it can make a difference in your life. The greatest accessory you
can have is self-assurance. If you do your homework, you’ll know you
look right, and then you’ll feel right. Personal Power!
Keywords:
emotional intelligence, dress, business clothes, fashion, women's
issues, career, success, EQ,
About
the Author
Susan Dunn, San Antonio, TX, USA
sdunn@susandunn.cc
http://www.susandunn.cc
Susan Dunn, The
EQ Coach, offers positive coaching and Internet courses in
emotional intelligence, transitions, career, midlife. Take The
EQ Foundation Course©. She is the author of numerous
ebooks, is widely published on the Internet, and a regular
speaker for cruise lines. For Internet marketing, go here:
www.webstrategies.cc. Profesionals, coaches, entrepreneurs and small
businesses.