"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."
These are the words of renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur Miuccia Prada. True enough, individuals are often sized up according to how others see them, including the clothes they wear. Entrepreneurs are no exception. But with more business owners becoming younger and more modern, their fashion style has also evolved.
Gone are the days when business owners have to wear the usual coat and tie or stiff outfits. Entrepreneurs have become more dynamic, acknowledging the freedom they enjoy, which includes not being bound by corporate attires. You can see some of them in just plain jeans and shirt or in semi-casual attire and still manage to be successful. Being a business owner means you can set the culture of your organisation, including how you dress up in your office or workplace. Because of this, everyday work clothes have changed over the years, as well as perceptions of business owners, and we expect it to still transform in the years to come.
However, despite the liberty to choose your outfit as the owner of your business, there are still considerations and etiquettes to ponder when you select the kind of apparel you will don at work. Create your own style that can best represent who you are because fashion is a way of expressing yourself. A few pointers to note can help you find the right apparel in your wardrobe.
Choose comfort
When choosing for your outfit, think of yourself first before you even consider how others will react to it. Prioritise your ease over appearance. While the latter is still important, choose comfort first then looks second. There are industries when you need to be in pullovers or in garments wherein you can move and do certain tasks without difficulty.
Show your personal and corporate image
Your clothes are an extension of yourself. It is a way of showing your creativity through your style. People will often form their impression of you through your garb. Don outfits that can show your personality, as well as your work ethics and corporate behaviours. Let your clothes speak about who you are and what you stand for.
Exude and attract the right attitude
Radiate and draw confidence, respect and authority through your apparel. While you may be at ease wearing simple clothes, don’t make it too simple that may confuse people and lead them to overlook you as an entrepreneur. There’s no need for pretence either. Flashy clothes will not automatically impress people. Find the right style that will not only make you just be yourself but also allow people to be drawn towards you.
Dress for the occasion
You may ditch blazers and trousers or tight skirts in your wardrobe, but you may still need them from time to time, especially when the situation calls for it. Even when shirt and denim are the norms in your workplace, you need some long-sleeves and trousers or dresses when attending board meetings, client presentations or conferences. It is better to overdress than to underdress. Remember that you represent your business, so elevate your brand’s image through how you appear yourself with various audiences.
They say that “clothes make a man”. While it does not totally define yourself, it is a reality that others will still look at the exterior factors to form their opinion of you. Let your outfit work for you, not against you.
Whether you want to blend with the crowd or stand out, or go with the flow or chart your own direction, let your clothes be a plus factor that can contribute to your personal and business growth. As fashion photographer Bill Cunningham once stated, “Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life." Wear your armour well and be ready to face your daily battles with courage and confidence.