Corporate dress code: 4 pitfalls to avoid

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The dress code is often a taboo subject within a company, and it is important to pay attention to it in order to avoid “fashion faux pas” that could be harmful to your career. Valérie Rocoplan, CEO and professional coach at Talentis, presents you with four pitfalls to avoid in this regard.

Pitfall 1: Thinking that skills take precedence over dress code

“I am who I am, I am competent, I don't have to worry about these subjects of image and look, that doesn't matter.”! Here's what you might be tempted to say to yourself. Regardless of the companies, they have certain codes: dress codes And language codes. They are posture codes. The look is part of one of these codes.

Here, there is no question of “over-adapting” yourself and of absolutely wanting to be like your colleagues who follow the Dress code to the letter, however, we must still look at what are the company codes and make sure that you are not completely out of sync with them. Of course, you are yourself, you have your tastes, your way of dressing, but stay attentive to group codes to which you belong.

For example, when you go on a trip to Japan, you respect certain Japanese codes because you want to show them that you Respect. Even if you sometimes do not fully understand these codes, you demonstrate a A mark of respect towards them, and they themselves will respect your diversity and your difference. It is an implicit code to show that you belong to a group and that you respect their codes.

Pitfall #2: Wanting to be too extravagant about the dress code

Wishing to be in a style that absolutely marks your difference or your originality can serve you as well as serve you. In a design agency or a fashion house, it may be appreciated to play. Extravagance, however, in most businesses it is fashionable to play a certain form Of humility and to avoid the “Too much”.

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To get there, it's not easy because you have to ask for Feedback to your teams and the people you like in the organization. “What do you think of the way I choose my style? I know it's my style, it's extravagant, but I like it.”, and see if that poses a problem, bothers the environment, or if on the contrary, your employees find it Awesome. If you can, play the extravagance to the fullest, you just have to check what environment you are in, and if the cultural codes match what you choose to demonstrate.

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Also read: 5 keys to develop your political sense

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Trap #3: Dressing without paying attention to your schedule

Not thinking about your schedule and the people you are going to meet during the day when choosing your outfit in the morning can make you shortcomings. You have a very important appointment with a strategic customer ? It is obvious that it can be an issue to choose your Dress code depending on who you are going to meet.

If you go to Carrefour in the morning, then to Michelin at noon, and end up with Société Générale in the evening, you will choose a “universal” style, “everywhere” because the three environments you are going to visit during the day are very different. Likewise, if you have an appointment at a creative agency and you arrive in a three-piece suit, you may be out of step. Be careful to respect the codes of your customers, service providers, suppliers, it is a mark of respect for them as well.

Ideally, try to come with an accessory from their brand if they do, it will make them happy, and they will take it as a brand of reconnaissance.

Pitfall 4: Believing that corporate looks don't need feedback

Last thing, the subject of image and look is so taboo that you will have very few opportunities to have a real honest feedback from your collaborators, colleagues or even your N+1. And yet, as a coach, we regularly receive feedback asking us: “Could you explain to him that if he wants to be appointed manager, he must absolutely pay attention to his posture and his look? ”. In general, people don't dare to give feedback on your Corporate dress code because they think it's too personal.

However, it is important to know how to do and ask for them. It is a skill and a professional posture to know how to adopt a certain elegance Or a certain sophistication, a certain ability to show his leadership Through what we wear, what you are on the inside must be seen on the outside.

Also read: How to maintain your reputation at work?

Your look is the first impression you are going to give, and then, of course, people will change their minds based on what they will know about you. However, it can take weeks for a first impression to unravel from the thoughts of the person who first met you. Pay close attention to this, take feedback, and don't just think that what you think of yourself is what others think of you, it is important to manage your reputation in business and that also means respecting the dress code!

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