Dressing for Success: Breaking the Traditional Business Attire Norm

“To dress for success” is a commonly heard phrase, usually accompanied by visuals of a sharply dressed man in a suit and tie, with a clean-shaven face and neatly combed hair. This stereotype has been normalized over the years, with society associating business attire with prestige and success. However, recent studies have shown that dressing to impress may not always be the key to projecting a professional image. This article takes a closer look at these studies and the implications they have on the idea of dressing for success.

Experiments

A study conducted at Harvard University had 159 participants read a short story about a professor. The participants were given two different descriptions of the professor. The first group was informed that the professor was well-dressed in a suit and tie, cleanly shaven, and neatly groomed. The other group was told that the same professor came to class wearing a regular t-shirt, had shaggy hair, and wore a beard. The rest of the story was identical.

When asked about the professor’s qualifications, the participants who read about the professor’s unkempt appearance and “regular” clothes reported that the professor must hold more prestige than his colleagues. Their thought process was that since he was able to dress that way and still keep his job, he must be incredibly good at what he does. In contrast, the participants who read about the professor’s sharp appearance did not feel the same level of admiration. They believed that the professor had to dress that way, which made him seem less competent.

Similarly, a study conducted in Italy asked shop assistants to read a story about a woman who entered a store wearing different types of clothing – a dress and fur coat, gym clothes, high heels and an expensive watch, and flip-flops and a cheap watch. They were then asked which of the women would be most likely to purchase something from the store. Ironically, the shopkeepers reported that the women dressed in gym clothes and flip-flops were more likely to buy items from the store. They believed that these women were actually more successful and well-off than those who dressed impeccably, as the ones wearing sweatpants didn’t feel the need to dress up just to buy something luxurious.

Reasoning

These studies have proven that the idea of dressing for success has shifted. Those who dress according to the norms of society and wear business attire are thought of by the public as simply playing a role instead of being the people they present themselves as. On the other hand, those who dress their own way and buck the trend are seen as too important to conform to societal norms.

Famous examples include Steve Jobs, who was famous for wearing a simple black turtleneck during Apple’s major press releases. He didn’t wear a suit to impress anyone: instead, it was his innovative ideas that left people in awe. Another example is Mark Zuckerberg, who can almost always be found wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans. Zuckerberg has explained that he doesn’t have time to waste trying to look perfect every day of his life. These individuals want their brilliance to define them, not their looks.

Uniform Dress

Dressing for success doesn’t always mean wearing a suit and tie. It depends on the situation. For example, doctors can wear different types of attire depending on their task – white coats, scrubs, or business casual clothes. Policemen and security guards may or may not wear uniforms, depending on their goal of keeping the peace or catching someone committing an illegal act. Athletes wear their team uniform on the field, and then change into other clothes for post-game interviews.

The Takeaway

The phrase “dress for success” creates an illusion that putting on the right clothes is all it takes to be great. However, the reality is that it’s the person inside the clothes that defines what success looks like. The mindset of society towards breaking the traditional norms of business attire is shifting, with people realizing that dressing according to one’s own values trumps conforming to external standards.

In conclusion, while dressing appropriately is a significant part of presenting oneself professionally, it’s not always the only factor that defines one’s success. As societal norms continue to shift, it’s important to understand that sometimes, not dressing in accordance with these norms can be a sign of confidence and competence. The focus should be on being true to oneself and presenting oneself in the best possible light, rather than just adhering to a particular dress code.