Do Professional Attire and Appearance Really Matter?

Do professional attire and appearance really matter?

Think back to when you were little. Did your idea of professional dress include a suit or tie? For many of us, the answer is yes because we saw our parents walk out the door each day in a suit, but over time, things have changed. While a suit is still appropriate on certain occasions, today's workforce has more flexibility on the individuality they show through fashion, but it still must be professional, and that can be a hard balance to find. Today, we want to share why professional dress IS important and give some simple truths for updating your wardrobe in 2015 without breaking the bank. Also, we want to show off our new Pinterest page!

Truth No. 1 – It does matter how you present yourself.

Think it doesn't matter what you wear when looking for a job or looking to climb the workplace ladder? Think again! While it may seem materialistic (and we admit it is), dressing professionally gives other a first and lasting impression of who you are as an employee. In this case, when you are looking to be hired, making the right impression is everything. Let your style be a reflection of that happy, intelligent person that is ready to excel at a new job!

Truth No. 2 '“ Stylish work clothes do not have to break the bank.

With online shopping options, fashion blogs and constant advertising, the ability to find professional clothing is not hard at all. Unfortunately, most of these advertised methods come with a very expensive tab and we don't end up with enough clothing to rotate through an entire week, let alone a month!

So, not that you know our two simple truths, here are our simple secrets for finding stylish clothing that is professional and affordable:

1. You CAN find affordable style at discount stores such as TJ Maxx, Ross and many others. The BIGGEST secret is all about the cut of the clothing. Look for pieces that are tailored, cut in clean lines and fit your body shape and size. Purchasing pieces that are season-less colors (think black and grey) give you the ability to wear them year-round.
2. Purchase a few staple separates, such as a black suit for gentleman or a black skirt and blazer for women. This will allow you to mix up your wardrobe for a lesser cost. By mixing more inexpensive, colorful pieces with your staple separates, you can mix and match many different outfits, AND you have that suit when you need it!
3. Pay attention to the details. Once you have put together a sharp looking outfit, make the extra effort to groom your hair, nails and makeup (for the ladies), so that you look clean and polished. Keeping nails short and neutral, as well as hair pulled away from the face and neatly trimmed (for gentlemen) or cut (for ladies) will give off the impression that you care about your personal appearance. This suggests that you will also care about your professional performance and it may even give you a boost of self-confidence.

Now that we have shared our simple truths and secrets to stylish and affordable work attire, it is time to get shopping! Still looking for a few more tips and tricks? Check out our brand new Pinterest page, complete with boards that include professional style tips for ladies and professional style tips for men.

At JWilliams Staffing, we are dedicated to not only helping your dress for success, but also obtain the knowledge you need to land your dream job. For more information on our real estate staffing services, visit the JWilliams Staffing website today.

By JoAnne Williams
Founder, President and CEO