Got Style? It May Cost You In the Workplace…

by Solange Lopes | Jan 16, 2014 | Career

Got Style – thefeministwire.com

So as you may or may not have noticed, we love fashion and style here at the Corporate Sister! And we think that as a corporate sister and a successful professional, you should always try to look your best as you perform your best…We wrote an earlier post about whether it’s ok or not to sport bright colors at work (please chime in, the crickets are taking over), and in line with that, we thought we’d explore how style may cost you in the workplace. In our opinion, not only does great (and work-appropriate) fashion motivate you and help your day started right (nothing worse than starting the day wrong and looking the (wrong) part), it also has this lil’ something something that just makes you stand up straighter as you’re getting ready to make that epic sales presentation….

However, being a corporate fashionista can have its downsides, especially when it comes to the way you are being perceived at the office. While paying attention to your appearance and the way you present yourself can work in your advantage in certain professions, such as in sales-related fields when you are called to meet clients and close deals, in other fields, the perception can be totally different. In some very conservative fields such as Accounting and even Finance, especially in older, patriarchal institutions, veering off a conservative, somber wardrobe is not always well perceived. Being fashionable, especially when you dress better than your boss, can give the impression of being too much into yourself, and maybe not enough into your work….Ouch!

I’ve personally had to face this situation with a lady manager who did not admire my fashion sense, to say the least. I was working at the time in what I will call a Big Accounting Firm, and my main client was a very conservative institutions. While I tried to downplay my wardrobe, it became obvious that as a young associate my crisp suits, impeccable shoes and other great sample sales finds were not going to be my best allies here. And while it took me some time to figure this out, it also helped me garner a few grains of wisdom as I moved on to better (and more fashionable) pastures:

• Not everyone will welcome your sense of style! Of course, when dressing for work, you should always keep in mind the type of environment you are working in, as well as the types of people you are working with. However, I don’t believe one should sacrifice their sense of style entirely, you cans still be stylish and professional! Yet bear in mind that part of the competition in the workplace is not just professional; it’s also around other mundane attributes, like…style and presentation! So be prepared for some sideways looks and snide comments, as it’s part of your professional experience…
• Remember that the focus is on your work! As fashionable as I may be through all facets of life (and work is part of life, so why separate the two, right?), at work, my focus is on…WORK! It may seem easy enough of a concept to grasp, yet keep in mind that many distractions can interfere with your work performance. As you keep your sense of style, and pride in who you are, up, remember that the best way yet to present yourself is through outstanding professional results! And the fashion can only complement that….
• Last but not least, when in doubt, bring it down a notch! Having worked in ultra-conservative professional environments, I’ve learned along the years that Coco Chanel could not be more on point when she recommends that “before going out, take out one piece of jewelry!” And that’s been my fashion mantra ever since I could slip my toddler feet into my mom’s stilettos…When in doubt as to whether your fashion is a tad much for work or just enough, bring it down just a notch. You don’t have to compromise entirely on your entire sense of style, and your hard-earned wardrobe, but the key is to adjust! Lunch meeting with the uber-conservative CEO? You may thin of trading that bright orange jacket for a stylish grey suit, and for your colorful touch, you can always jazz it up with an orange camisole under your suit jacket: this way, you get to protect your style and make a great impression! On the other hand, you may very well be meeting with a prospective marketing client in the fashion industry who happens to be very fashion-forward: well, it may be time to dig out that asymmetrical jacket in bright orange!

Have you encountered any difficulties in the workplace because of your fashion sense? Please sound off…

The Corporate Sister.