Cool and in command
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Now the temperature is warming up, the summer wardrobe will start appearing in the office. How do you stay cool, and look in command?
In general, the rule of thumb is that the more flesh you show at work, the more authority you lose!
Gentlemen, it is worth remembering that short-sleeve shirts were originally designed for factory supervisors (they needed to get their hands into the workings of the machinery if it broke down) and not for the professional businessman. Therefore, wearing a short-sleeved shirt tends to make you look more operational than strategic.
To retain your credibility, wear a double-cuff shirt and when the heat is too much to bear, roll up your sleeves three times to just below the elbow. Anything else might create the subconscious thought that your look is not quite professional. It is also better to remove your tie completely and undo the top button, than it is to loosen your tie and risk looking unkempt.
Ladies, you need to watch how much flesh you show too. If you want to be seen as professional and influential, wear a jacket whenever your impact matters (e.g. client or senior meetings), over a sleeveless dress or top. The structure and tailoring of a jacket (even a light jacket) creates an authoritative look. You should watch the hem length as well. Two inches above your knee is the professional length – any shorter and you may be receiving attention for the wrong reasons!
Takeaway:
Don’t give people reasons to doubt your credibility! Even an unconscious feeling of uncertainty about how you might appear to clients or top people, could affect how ready people are to give you big responsibilities.
In general, the rule of thumb is that the more flesh you show at work, the more authority you lose!
Gentlemen, it is worth remembering that short-sleeve shirts were originally designed for factory supervisors (they needed to get their hands into the workings of the machinery if it broke down) and not for the professional businessman. Therefore, wearing a short-sleeved shirt tends to make you look more operational than strategic.
To retain your credibility, wear a double-cuff shirt and when the heat is too much to bear, roll up your sleeves three times to just below the elbow. Anything else might create the subconscious thought that your look is not quite professional. It is also better to remove your tie completely and undo the top button, than it is to loosen your tie and risk looking unkempt.
Ladies, you need to watch how much flesh you show too. If you want to be seen as professional and influential, wear a jacket whenever your impact matters (e.g. client or senior meetings), over a sleeveless dress or top. The structure and tailoring of a jacket (even a light jacket) creates an authoritative look. You should watch the hem length as well. Two inches above your knee is the professional length – any shorter and you may be receiving attention for the wrong reasons!
Takeaway:
Don’t give people reasons to doubt your credibility! Even an unconscious feeling of uncertainty about how you might appear to clients or top people, could affect how ready people are to give you big responsibilities.