Although the famous saying goes, „don’t judge a book by its covers“, the truth is actually a bit different. While what we wear doesn’t completely define us, it still influences how others perceive us. Even more, our fashion options shape, and quite heavily, the way we perform. To be successful, it takes a lot of effort, creativity, and hard work, but if you truly „dress for success“, a certain boost of confidence is guaranteed.
With a formal wardrobe (which can also be quite stylish), not only will your confidence bloom, but also your performance. Here are some tips on how what you wear affects your work results.
Workwear gets you in the zone
When thinking about formal and business fashion, most of us imagine suits and crisp shirts. While this makes sense, the truth is that some occupations call for more appropriate dress-codes, such as flexible and comfortable workwear. For example, if you are an engineer and supervise a construction site, you will feel more energetic and competent if you opt for workwear, and you will perform your tasks more efficiently.
Moreover, there is no need to be reluctant about wearing gray and navy uniforms and bulky, uncomfortable overalls. Nowadays, you can easily find cute, but at the same time, work-appropriate women’s workwear. Even if you work in quite hot work conditions, you can find great, lightweight pieces. Some brands of womens workwear in Australia (they are about to enter the summer season there) offer a great selection of utility shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and similar clothing. These pieces you can wear to look professional, feel comfortable, and perform outstandingly on your tasks. No doubt that you will momentarily feel in work mode and less anxious than if you were wearing a pair of jeans and a silky blouse.
Red equals powerful
Most of the business-appropriate attire can be found in neutral colors. And while there is nothing wrong with a classic black and white, tan, or navy, a pop of color is more than welcomed. Bright colors, such as red, not only look more fashionable but also elevate your mood, making you feel more energetic to conquer a busy day at work. Furthermore, a few psychological research have confirmed that importing the color red in your standard formal business look can make you stand out from the crowd and get you attention, which is sometimes highly desirable at meetings and presentations. Wearing red, such as a dark red suit combined with a crisp white shirt and black stilettos, says you are creative and ready to think outside the box. What is more, it makes you feel and subsequently makes you be perceived as powerful and brave enough to break the overly familiar patterns.
If you don’t feel comfortable enough to go for a red suit, subtle details may be the one for you. Maroon details on your silk scarf or burgundy pendant will bring a dynamic dimension to your look and mindset, as well as a classic red nail polish for your manicure.
Stylish and functional work footwear is a real thing
High heels undeniably look amazing when paired with business attire, and they also give all women a boost of confidence. Still, we need to consider that heels may not be appropriate for all job positions, especially women who work in demanding industries, and in these cases, flat shoes and boots are necessary.
Luckily, nowadays, you can easily find chic flat shoes that look incredible when paired with pants or jeans. If the workplace conditions of the industry you work in allow it, you can even opt for a pair of trendy suede steel-toe booties that you can further combine with jeans and a utility blazer. Both functional and fashionable work apparel and footwear are a thing that seemed impossible to combine a few decades ago. Feeling like you don’t have to give up on your unique style while working completely increases your confidence and makes you feel less anxious when confronted with a challenging work situation.
Finally, we can conclude that how you dress truly affects the way you perform. This doesn’t mean that you should rely only on this factor to achieve success. The key is to combine your skills, talent, and effort with the right outfits and enjoy your well-deserved achievements that will then certainly come.
