Nine to Five
It happens every morning at 6:30… “Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition, yawn and stretch and try to come to life…” The familiar refrain of everyone’s favorite country queen, Dolly Parton, wakes me from sleep. I hate to tell you this, but if “9 to 5” isn’t your alarm clock, you’re doing it wrong.
Like it or not, many companies are requiring their employees to return to the office this spring, and it’s time to prepare for the litany of daily tasks that come with it. For some, the return to the office offers a much-anticipated escape from the chaos of home demands and a chance to reconnect with office colleagues. Others dread the return of alarm clocks, morning commutes, and having to actually get dressed. You heard me— time to get up out of those sweatpants and Make America Get Dressed Again!
There are a lot of quotes and clichés about clothes: “Good clothes open all doors.” “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Yes, they’re cliché, but they’re true! So, why is getting dressed for your day so important?
A thoughtful appearance is a powerful tool in your arsenal to win clients and influence your peers and superiors. Clothing can change how people perceive you more quickly than any other resource. Therapy takes years, coloring your hair takes hours, but you can change clothes in five minutes! It doesn’t matter where you’re from or how much money you have, if you wear the right clothes you can belong anywhere—or at least feel like you do.
Before you’ve even opened your mouth, your clothes have sent a message. So, what is it that you’re saying? How do you want to be perceived? As a strong and articulate leader? An approachable, fun-loving creative? YOU are undoubtedly the most important selling point of your business. By taking time to get dressed every day and cultivate a personal style, you consistently execute the vision of who you are. People love consistency! It builds trust, shows confidence, demonstrates self-awareness, and generally makes us more productive. What signal is your wardrobe sending about the level of respect you have for yourself and those around you? How are you showing up for your day? How are you showing up for your life?
Wardrobe is a language that everyone understands but not everyone knows how to speak. So, what do you do when you begin to learn a new language? Practice and pay attention. Here are some steps that will help motivate you to get out of your athleisure and into your office.
Get Inspired.
Take a few moments to look at Pinterest, magazines, and pop culture and notice people around you. Who has style you admire? Who has a body type that’s like yours? Save images of what you’re attracted to. This part should be fun!
Evaluate.
Assess where you are and where you want to go. What do your current pieces say about you? Do you love them, or do they just happen to fit and not itch? If your current pieces don’t reflect who you are or want to be, then let them go! Which leads us to…
Edit.
Purge anything that no longer serves you. If it doesn’t fit, if it’s tired, ripped, pilled, or dated, let it go! Trust yourself. If you have hesitation about a piece, there’s probably a reason it’s not working for you. Simplify the space where you get dressed to help keep you focused.
Elevate.
Add accessories: they are thoughtful finishing touches. Consider investing in better quality pieces that you wear consistently. I’ve dressed people on ALL types of budgets, and it doesn’t take a million dollars to look good. Make a shopping list, and stick to it.
When in doubt, find a uniform.
Whether you’re a tech genius or creative savant, many high functioning people wear a “uniform” that eliminates one major decision from their day. What are you typically wearing when you feel most confident? A blazer and tee? A dress and heels? Once you find what you love, consider buying similar styles and building comparable looks.
It’s all in the details.
Looking good and presenting yourself in the best light means paying attention to the small things. Alterations turn an off-the-rack item into a custom piece. Grooming is important too; keep hair and facial hair tidy. Steam your clothes, and don’t forget to use a lint roller, especially if you have fluffy pets!
Jagger, keeping lint rollers in business since 2017!
7. Make time.
Take a few minutes in the evening to thoughtfully layout your outfit for the next day. It will prevent a stressful morning and set your day up for success. Dress for the day you have and the day you want!
People are demanding comfort like never before and designers have taken note. Many brands have integrated stretch and tech fabrics into their more structured pieces, so you no longer have to sacrifice comfort in the name of looking professional. I’ve selected a few of my favorite pieces below to ease your transition back to office attire.
Although shopping and styling comes naturally to me, I understand how this process can feel overwhelming. (If you stick me in a grocery store without my usual list, I will panic and buy allll the candy.) This spring, let me become your shopping sherpa and guide you to your perfect wardrobe! I’ll teach you how to maximize each piece to serve both your work and personal lives, and my Shop & Style wardrobe package comes with a custom “look-book” that you can reference any day and for every occasion! Schedule your spring appointment in the month of April or May, and I’ll even buy you a download of 9 to 5 to start your day off right!