“Let’s face it, clothing is marketing. Are your clothes attracting or repelling clients?” (Forbes, November 2018). Ignoring the devastating good looks of these two guys above, have you already decided which one you’d rather represent you in a court of law? Or produce your next ad campaign? I believe that a good impression (not necessarily that first impression either!) affects the way clients and colleagues perceive you at work, and in 2019, we have the luxury of choosing how we can make that impression. The suit, shirt and tie is no longer the default work uniform! Where I am in Canary Wharf though, suits rule, no question. The bankers habitat of the concrete jungle (well more like glass jungle around here) still requires a suit for business. Are there formal dress codes to abide by or do bankers prefer to wear suits? Who knows, but I suspect a bit of both and when you are in the world of finance, a suit makes you look the part of a serious deal maker, and rightly so. Similarly, in a more laid back industry a well tailored casual jacket (with jeans) still goes a long way.
The point here is not to underestimate the advantages of dressing well. If a business suit is your choice, make sure it fits well (see below) and the colour and pattern work for the occasion and audience.