Have you ever felt overdressed for your environment compared to the people around you? We all have a desire for acceptance. We’d rather not stand out, or feel like we don’t belong. We often hold ourselves back, make ourselves smaller, try to blend in.
Your style, your clothing, your appearance is a communicative process. Your clothes are a silent language – whether you intentionally choose what to wear or not. Everything you wear sends a message. Your clothes speak volumes before you say anything at all. I’d rather you intentionally choose what you wear rather than leave it to chance.
When you embrace your authentic personal style, you won’t need to fit in with the crowd.
A client told me recently that she felt overdressed at work compared to those around her. She was wearing a satin shirt, blazer and dark jeans. Everyone around her was wearing grey or black crew neck tops. She was leaning into her personal style. Her key style words are structured, understated formality, quality, easy elegance. She can’t achieve that in very casual clothes, regardless of the setting. Her authenticity shone through and she’ll be remembered for all the right reasons.
Sometimes societal norms offer a context to how we show up. Some cultures and workplaces are more formal and others less formal. Most modern workplaces offer dress code guidelines for you to consider. Those are your starting point. However, for the most part, there are no longer rules (unless you have to wear a uniform). There’s never been more freedom at work to honour your personal style and your personal brand in what you wear.
Nick Cave wears a suit every single day. He doesn’t have a work dress code, yet he is very intentional about his clothing choices. In contrast, some of the “tech bros”, show up for work in t-shirts and hoodies. They’ve adopted a very casual style, however, note that they have ‘earned their stripes’.
A client of mine works in a very casual environment. Since she discovered her personal style, she has adopted a less casual dress in order to feel and be perceived more authentically. In the two years since her style consultations, she has had three pay rises and one formal promotion. That’s the power of being authentic.
When you’re emotionally comfortable in what you wear, you’ll feel and be perceived as more confident. You won’t feel distracted by what you’re wearing – and neither will anyone else. Your authentic personal style will keep you secure in how you show up. It will reflect your essence consistently, regardless of where you are and what you are doing.
Dress for Yourself First. Feel good and your confidence will be inherent. You never know. Those around you might emulate your style.