Heidi Zaransky Discusses Fashion In The Workplace
As much as we all would like to dress casually for work, not all workplaces would tolerate denim with a T-shirt and a pair of loafers. That’s just not how it’s done in an office where looking smart fast tracks one to a big promotion. But how would one strike a balance between dressing well and overdressing in the workplace?
Heidi Zaransky is an entrepreneur and leading consultant with over 20 years of experience. She believes that as much as your clothes make a statement, getting your work clothes right will set you up for success. “Even if your workplace allows for business casual dress, what clothes you wear and how you present yourself every morning are important factors in your career success.”
What your Clothes Say about you
Formal attire usually conveys that the wearer is an intelligent person. At least that’s what a study by researchers from Columbia University found out. Furthermore, the person dressed formally tends to feel more powerful and is sought by colleagues for advice and consultation.
“This just shows,” explains Heidi Zaransky, “the power of clothes in the workplace. We all communicate with our clothes. So, you want to make sure your clothes are sending the right message about your commitment to get ahead.” If, for example, you’re going for a business meeting, you need to make sure to dress just as formal as those you’re meeting. This puts everyone on the same page quickly and creates the right first impression.
What to Avoid
Mismatching the high-ups in the style and formality of their clothing is a common faux pas as far as the work dress code is concerned, but it’s not the only one. Another clothes-related problem has to do with tattoos. “Regardless of how amazing you might believe the tattoos to be,” advises Heidi Zaransky, “you should make sure your clothes hide every last one of them. Unless you work in a tattoo parlor, tattoos are the exact opposite of looking smart or professional.” As for women, they should avoid tank tops and hems that ride the knees.
Besides exposed tattoos, you should avoid jeans and flip-flops in the workplace. Neither of those two gives the right impression about you. If you don’t look professional, nobody would mistake you for one. This includes your superiors and those who sign your paychecks.
Dress for Success
So now that we know what you should avoid, how would you dress in a way that tells those who matter in your office that you mean business? One of the easiest ways to look professional and smart is to wear collared shirts. Your clothes should be clean and wrinkle-free.
If you’re trying to impress at the workplace, avoid showing skin. A long-sleeve shirt is better than a short-sleeve one. And if you want to make the right decisions at work, throw a jacket on your shoulders. Nobody knows why, but jackets seem to make you more productive and put you in the right mindset to make world-changing decisions. When in doubt, the best decision is to be overdressed rather than underdressed.
Heidi Zaransky concludes that for fashion in the workplace, the best rule to consider is that if you are unsure if something is appropriate, it probably isn’t.
