Should I Dress for The Job I Want

According to Fortune Magazine:

By: Anne Fisher
      March 19, 2015

In a word, YES. 

“It may seem superficial, but clothing makes a statement about who you are and where you want to go,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and author who heads up the Protocol School of Palm Beach. She often advises executives who want to polish their image. “Personal style has always played, and still plays, a crucial role in the career trajectories of leaders.”

Since people tend to judge us (consciously or not) at least in part based on how we look, why not look as if you’re ready for a promotion? Dressing well, however, “doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a suit and tie every day,” Whitmore adds. Sometimes subtle details can make a distinct impression, especially on fashion-conscious folks like your bosses.

Above all, choose quality over quantity. Whitmore recommends a few good outfits in “lightweight, breathable fabrics like wool or wool blend that don’t wrinkle easily,” in “colors, like taupe, black, and navy, that are professional and travel well.” Then showcase your personality by adding “a pop of color with your accessories” — a vivid tie or scarf, for instance.

The best reason to ignore your coworkers’ comments and dress for the job you want is what Whitmore tells the managers who attend her seminars.

If you like to dress up, dress up. Take pride in looking your best, and don’t worry about what your peers think of you, she says. At the end of the day, they’re not the ones handing out promotions.