How Dress Affects Professionalism

Making a professional impression in the workplace is based on more than personality and business skills. The way a person dresses is an external attribute that impacts whether or not people are perceived as professional.

Features

The way a person dresses has social significance, and clothing can send messages about a person’s social class, religious affiliation, cultural identity and personality.

Effects

Appearing successful can enhance the impression that coworkers, supervisors and clients have of an employee. It can also positively impact job development and advancement opportunities.

Significance

Paying attention to how you dress is important in projecting professionalism. It reflects how confident you appear and how well you take care of yourself and it can lead others to take you more seriously.

Misconceptions

It is unfair to judge someone solely on how she dresses While professional attire gives off an impression of formality, it is not the only indicator of someone’s professionalism.

Considerations

In the September 2007 issue of "Essence" magazine, Tamara Holmes argues that there is such a thing as "dressing to impress," and there are wardrobe strategies for men and women that can help them dress the part at work.

References

• "Essence"; Dress to Impress at Work; Tamara Holmes; September 2007.