Making a good impression is important, so it’s time to take a closer look at what you are wearing and to think about the message you send out through your choice of outfit
by Lizzy Boscawen
24 January 2008
At some point, you are sure to have attended a training course where the subject of communication comes up and the instructor asks how much of it is verbal and how much non-verbal. But how many of us remember that the answer is that over 80 per cent of communication is non-verbal? Therefore image is important, and that includes are the impressions that we give through our clothes.
At this time of year particularly, with its dark and cold mornings, it’s easy to throw on the same old work clothes, your own personal 'uniform'. Perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at what you are wearing and to take a moment to think about what messages your clothes are sending out.
1 The uniform
For most FMs your 'work uniform' (we all have them) has been developed with an eye on the organisation in which you are based, as well as on what people wear in your employing organisation. It can be difficult to successfully combine the two. Obviously a main part of your job is working within a client organisation and clothes are a good way of showing that you are sensitive to the client organisation, culture and people. Wearing a suit within a 'business casual' environment may send out the message that you think you are smarter than they are, while wearing business casual in a suit environment may suggest that you don’t care about your work. Likewise when attending meetings with a new client that you haven’t met, it’s worth asking what their dress code is before turning up and feeling that you are wearing the wrong thing.
2 Best suited
Practicality is the watchword of many an FM – and your clothes may need to reflect this. High heels, smart suits are out – hard wearing (but smart) dark trousers and sturdy shoes are much more practical. Think ahead about what you’re going to be doing each day, and dress accordingly. Site visits may require dressing up or down. If you do need to wear practical clothes but may be called into a meeting at the last minute, think about having a suit or smarter outfit tucked away somewhere in the office to change into. Nowhere to store your spare outfit? Talk to the facilities manager.
3 Dress code
Increasingly organisations are developing formal codes – published 'dos and don’ts' for all employees. Reactions to formal dress codes fall into two camps – the first say "that’s great, it makes it easier for everyone if we know what we can wear": the second say "why should my company tell me what to wear to work? I know how to dress appropriately." Whichever your reaction, take note and follow it. Not doing so may mark you out for all the wrong reasons.
4 What not to wear
Don’t be fooled by the words – business casual is just as much a uniform as wearing a suit, it’s just that the rules are different and sometimes you don’t even know what they are. The basic principles tend to be that you shouldn’t wear denim or trainers in the workplace – so your starting point will be a pair of chinos or equivalent, and a shirt or polo shirt. The same applies to women as well, although you may want to swap trousers for skirts.
5 Well groomed
Whatever you’re wearing, make sure you are clean, including hair and nails – always. Remember that you’re in the office to work, not to look good. If you can combine the two, great, if not – stick to what’s practical or take your cue from what others wear. People really do notice your shoes, so it is worth keeping them polished and in good condition. Make sure that your clothes fit. It may sound obvious, that suit that you have been wearing for 10 years may still be in perfectly good condition – but what if you’re not and have put on a pound or two?
So before you throw on that same old outfit tomorrow morning, take a moment to reflect on what your clothes say about you, and try to see yourself through the eyes of your clients, your boss, your colleagues. You don’t need to be Posh to be smart. Being clean, tidy and well presented is at least the first step towards giving out the right messages. As we move towards spring, perhaps now is the time to think about spring cleaning – your wardrobe at least.
Lizzy Boscawen is a senior consultant at Humanics, the human resource management consultancy
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