Should You Dress For The Job You Want?

There’s an old saying that, when it comes to deciding what to wear at the office, you should “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” I’ve always found this maxim a little puzzling. Mostly because I knew that if I started showing up to the office dressed as Batman, it probably wouldn’t have a positive effect on my career!

I know the core intent of the saying is that you should dress “up” to the next level of the organization and not “down” to your level or below it. (And you definitely shouldn’t wear just the minimum pieces of flair…for all you Office Space fans!)

But some recent research calls even this bit of common sense into question. Three researchers at the Harvard Business School designed a series of experiments to test participants’ perceptions of individuals who deliberately didn’t conform to the norms of dress.

Perception of Nonconformity on Status

In one experiment, professional sales clerks at fine clothing boutiques in Rome consistently judged a hypothetical shopper dressed down in athleisure as having more status and wealth. In another, students at elite universities consistently rated a male professor who bucked the dress code by wearing a T-shirt and arriving to class unshaven as more competent and of higher status than a professor who “conformed” by wearing a shirt and tie and arriving clean-shaven.

One researcher, Francesca Gino, even took the experiments out of the lab and into the field by changing her footwear from regular, professional shoes to a pair of bright red Converse sneakers for different sections of an executive negotiations class. When she wore the red sneakers, she got higher scores from the executives and was perceived as having higher status inside the university.

The rationale behind these findings is that nonconforming dress creates an impression among the observers that the person can “get away” with their nonconformity because of their status and competence…regardless of whether or not they are high status or all that competent.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that such perceptions only appear when observers are aware of the organization’s norms and believe the nonconformist does as well. So, if you’re planning on dressing down for your first job interview, it’ll probably backfire. Obviously, if you’re not competent in your job, nonconformity will definitely backfire there, too.

When Dressing Down Works

If you’re already inside the organization and a solid performer, try choosing a specific and deliberate article of clothing that’s louder than normal (red Chuck Taylors in a business school classroom, for example). 

Even better, try bucking the dress code in ways that bring your daily wear back to something more authentic to you and see what happens.

Your manager might pull you aside for a talk, but who knows? It could very well be about a new promotion or position!

Authenticity Versus Context

Authenticity is the key to gaining trust and respect at the workplace and even in your personal life. The better you dress as yourself, the more you’ll show your true self and personality. This manifests in your relationships with your colleagues, peers, and bosses. 

So whether it’s your signature shoe, tie, scarf, or quirky piece of attire that gives you a sense of individuality, wear it. It’ll also make you feel more confident and comfortable in your skin.

The more confidence you radiate, the more approachable you’ll be to peers and clients. So, it’ll more than likely have a positive effect on your credibility, giving you more opportunities to build valuable connections with your team.

On the other hand, knowing the context and environment in which you dress is very important. A little deviation from the norm can make or break your entire path. Consider, for example, if you’re working in a conservative environment with a strong emphasis on work attire. If you show up in jeans or sneakers there, that’s a recipe for disaster. It would even be considered disrespectful or unprofessional, no matter your position in the office.

So give a little thought to your work environment and the people around you, and then maybe subtly start introducing your true self via personal style elements instead of dropping in with a bold statement at once.

Dress to Express Or Impress?

Your wardrobe and the dresses you wear should reflect you rather than being a way to fit into society’s expectations. Wear comfortable clothes that you feel at ease carrying through the day and performing your tasks. 

Wear outfits that make you feel self-assured yet comply with the environment. Remember that you will be considered more organized and competent if you dress according to your job role and position. But the power of defying the norms (subtly, if you may) far outweighs the benefits and satisfaction you feel when you dress to impress.

So, strategically execute your choice. Find the balance. 

Although many companies today have shifted to more casual dress codes, that doesn’t give you the license to rock just about anything!

Wear something that shows you value your job, even if you’re not planning on following the dress code completely.

If your workplace culture allows casual dressing, wear dress pants and a shirt, but pair that with your comfortable shoes to reflect yourself.

You may also consider dressing down on casual Fridays only and wearing professional work attire all through the rest of the week. This will signal that you’re hip and confident yet quite professional.

Wrap Up

Dressing for the job you want isn’t just about following the ground rules. It’s all about finding the balance: being your true self while showing respect for the culture you’re part of.

So it’s okay to experiment a little bit and try out flashy bits of dressing here and there. Who knows when your red stocking or flat cap could land your dream job!