Dress for Success: Myth or Good Advice

I thought it would be interesting to see what others thought about dressing for success. Does it really matter?

IMO, dressing appropriately is important. Overdressing and underdressing can work against you.

Originally Posted by Liberty IMO, dressing appropriately is important. Overdressing and underdressing can work against you.

As a realtor, I've seen agents walking around in cut-off shorts and flip-flops with their clients. I was never quite sure which was which! Around these parts, smart casual has become the norm but certain occassions call for more formal attire...settlements primarily. Obviously, if I'm going out to look at a 72 acre horse farm, I'm not going to wear my heals. However, I wouldn't be caught dead in those cut-offs, either!!

Irene, I have seen the same thing. I think you stand more chances of putting someone off by dressing down then by dressing up.

I live in Florida where even the mailman looks like he is on vacation. Dressing up is like torture in this heat, if you have an outside sales job (in and out of a/c all day long.), but even though I might cheat a little, I still think it sends the wrong signal to be too undersdressed.

Originally Posted by AZBroker Does it really matter?

Yes. I believe it matters.

Originally Posted by Liberty Overdressing and underdressing can work against you.

Can you give an example of when "overdressing" would work against you?

Originally Posted by AZBroker Can you give an example of when "overdressing" would work against you?

I'm not certain if this is real or imagined, but when I am out in the field, calling on small businesses, I dress up, but not like I used to dress in when I worked in a corporate setting. I don't want to look like a "power woman--climbing my way up." I like to look professional, but warm and friendly.

Originally Posted by RainMaker I don't want to look like a "power woman--climbing my way up." I like to look professional, but warm and friendly.

Exactly. If a salesperson walks into my office looking like he works for the FBI or IRS he's already got a strike against him.

"Dressing for Success" is very important. BUT, I believe dressing the part is as important (ie. not wearing shorts to a corporate negotiation).

In any form of marketing, its about anchoring your position.

Let me explain:
From the position of the "seller" you need to set the right tone for a meeting. Dressing appropriately adds a "plus" in the prospects mind. There is a misconception that marketing is a department, when marketing should be part of the entire organizatioins marketing objective. From the janitor to the CEO, all play a part in the overall image of the company.

In my firm, we stress the "impulse", the irrationality of our prospects. So, in every facet of my organization, I remind all team members that a prospect will base their decisions on the many facets we think unimportant - how we dress.

"Buyers make irrational decisions, but support it with rational data"

Best,

Ritchie