Minding Your Visual “Cues and Clues”

The Single Biggest Mistake Women Make Dressing For Business

This article originally published for the Spring 2008 Women’s Issue of the AICI Canada/Toronto Chapter’s Newsletter “Inside Image” was slightly modified to appeal to the general public … and still provides valuable information for men as well.  

Are you sabotaging your career? It has been my experience through the past dozen years helping individuals, organizations, and corporations that women do not look authoritative enough in the workplace. I meet many new female clients who wonder why they are not moving ahead and getting promoted or not being taken seriously at work by their boss or colleagues, and even by their staff.

Is it a wonder when the single biggest mistake women make dressing for business is neglecting to wear a jacket to work? As many companies offer a “business casual” dress code, more women opt to leave the suit and the jacket at home. Whether they are dressing down too much, or wearing something inappropriate, they are unaware of the message their appearance projects, and that the little visual “cues and clues” they leave behind speak louder than what they do or say. They fail to realize that other people’s perceptions matter a great deal. They instantly lose credibility and personal power.

Here’s a great example that a client of mine was kind enough to allow me to share. Judy started a new job in a brand new field in January 2008. During the first week, she received an invitation to accompany her boss to a proposal round table for a new housing development. The audience was a combination of professional realtors and mortgage brokers looking to get this lucrative mortgage contract. Once the official presentation started, an interesting thing happened. Within 10 minutes Judy was on the receiving end of all forms of questions, posed by the men in the audience.  All the men concluded she was the person in charge… when in fact this was her first official day on the job. Why?

On her arrival, Judy quickly noted that all the men in the audience wore either a jacket or suit, while the women dressed rather casually. This included her female boss (despite looking nicely put together) had decided to wear designer jeans and a casual top. Since Judy had no experience and was getting trained on the job, she felt somewhat self-conscious about her lack of experience, and decided to boost her confidence by taking the time to groom herself, and wear a jacket and pant combination. She realized afterwards that she even looked more authoritative, knowledgeable and professional than the 2 female coordinators representing the city that had also dressed down and frankly didn’t look professional. What an incredible experience for Judy … she felt like a million after that!

Serious businessmen have long understood the power of the jacket. The business world has traditionally been a man’s world. Yes, it is slowly changing but it’s still a man’s world.  Women must realize the importance of wearing a jacket in business. If women want to be taken seriously by their male counterparts they need to learn the rules… their rules. The jacket is the most authoritative piece of clothing any man or woman can own. It is also the most flattering garment to wear for any body type or shape. It balances any figure, male or female. Plus, it frames the face beautifully and ever so powerfully.

Choosing the right jacket can make a huge difference in your professional success. First, dress your personal image then adjust to suit the company’s image. The colour as well as the type of fabric, pattern, texture and construction of the jacket must be taken into consideration. You must also consider the industry, organization culture, and finally your position (job) or rank and activities of the day.  There are so many options available from the classic blazer to a fitted leather jacket. In my book… even a nice looking fitted denim jacket is better than no jacket. In my earlier example, Judy felt like a million after her experience featuring a professional look with jacket and pant combination.

Try it! Put on a jacket – you deserve to feel and look like a million too.