No matter what line of work you’re in, if you deal with people on a professional level, it’s important to dress the part. For those that are self-employed and don’t leave the house much, it’s nice to sit around in pajamas sipping lemonade at our laptops, but what about when we get out (and what about those of us who don’t work at home)?
Photo credit: Faakhir Rizvi
Looking professional and clean cut is very important if you want people to take you seriously. Showing up to a meeting, a job interview, or even to your regular job looking sloppy and nonchalant isn’t going to give the best first impression to someone who is potentially looking to spend their money with you.
Here’s a list of no-no’s when it comes to professional attire:
- T-shirts, hoodies, spaghetti straps, halter tops, tube tops
- Loafers, flip flops, clogs, running shoes
- Torn jeans, lounge pants, shorts, sweatpants, mini skirts
Here are some things that are or could be considered professional:
- Khakis, dress pants, dress capris, knee-length skirts
- Button-up shirts (tucked in, and no plaids!), suit jackets, dress shirts
- Dress shoes, high heels (not too high), covered toe flats, dress boots
Alright, I admit, I do on occasion break my own dress code, but only when I know it’s not going to affect me or the person (or people) I come in contact with. For example, my favorite pair of jeans are full of holes and were intentionally purchased that way…and you’ll see me in many of my videos wearing said jeans. Why? Because it’s part of who I am, and the way I dress reflects that my personality. But I also know that if I were to show up to a client meeting or job interview wearing those same jeans that it might look as though I don’t care how I look (and I do).
So think about who you’re dealing with and what kind of impression you want to make, then make your wardrobe decisions accordingly. You don’t have to change your whole appearance to make someone happy, just keep it professional while still maintaining your personal style. Then take a look in the mirror on the way out the door and say out loud, “I look GOOD!” 
