Why dressing for success is important

Magee surveyed over firms to assess the impact of dress in the workplace. His studies led to the conclusion that continually relaxed dress ultimately leads to relaxed manners, relaxed morals and relaxed productivity.

Think about your own experience. On a typical morning, you might wake up feeling groggy, stumbling around the house in sweatpants and a t-shirt. The coffee is your only highlight. The day seems blurry and your ambition is low.

But take a few minutes to get dressed, and the results are wondrous; it's as if you just drank another coffee. It's amazing what a simple outfit can do; button up that shirt, and your whole mood shifts. The sky is suddenly brighter, and you summon up energy you never had before. Tie up those oxfords, and you're ready to conquer the world. It's simple psychology, really.

Your clothing affects how you act and feel. Sneakers put you in the mood to exercise. Heels enhance posture and along with it, a feeling of glamorous confidence. So too, a suit and tie will put you in the mode to work, performing at your best. You'll think smarter, make decisions quicker, and assume a more professional demeanor. Clothing companies recognize how much of an effect dress has on people, so they take extra measures to provide comfort and ensure functionality in their products.

Eli Blumstein, creative director and co-founder of dress shirt company Twillory, sheds a new light on the unique nature of today's demand, and what brands are doing to earn their way into consumers' closets. In the past, business travelers used to stress over how they would get their shirts ironed for meetings, but today we have the technology to create fabrics that don't need any ironing, and special moisture wicking materials to cool and combat sweat.

Your appearance is influential to others as well, not just yourself. It's important to portray a good image to coworkers and clients. Being in the workplace often entails meeting new people, interacting with coworkers, and communicating with managers. It's vital to give off your best impression in every way possible, so that no one can hold shallow biases against you.

Be modest. It is most important to get attention for great work rather than gaining attention for wearing the latest fashion fad or in appropriate leisure wear or sportswear found outside the office at a sports event, party or beach. Beware of casual Fridays.

Casual Fridays have the potential to turn into real fashion disasters. It is important to remember that the workweek has not ended on Thursday and that the images and messages sent on Friday must be consistent with each of the previous days of the week. Be comfortable. This applies to the fit of your attire and the comfort of the shoes you wear.

Comfort needs to trump fashion in the choices made. Be mindful that basic etiquette must accompany appropriate attire. Appropriate attire must be combined with basic business and professional etiquette.

The two are intertwined and integrated when presenting a professional image of yourself and your company. First impressions and overall judgments about people are formed by the way they dress.

Be sure to strive to achieve an appropriate balance of employer rights and individual freedom. Some employers experience resistance from employees who believe they have the right to groom themselves and dress in a way that suits their personality. While individuals have a right to express themselves, so businesses have a similar right in the workplace, since the way employees dress definitely sends intended or unintended messages to clients, customers and prospects.

A commitment to strive to achieve an appropriate balance is very important. Whatever else we think about dressing for success, we need to be reminded that first impressions are everything, and we only get one chance to make a positive first impression.

This article first appeared on Reading Eagle. Remember Me.