Do you have a job interview coming up that you’re both very nervous and excited about? Or perhaps you’re pitching to a big client or potential investor soon? No matter the occasion, if you have an important business meeting just around the corner, you want to choose an outfit for it that not only looks professional but makes you feel confident, too.
Consider the Formality of the Situation
Firstly, you require a good idea of how dressy you need to be to align with the people you’re meeting with. Do some research into the company whose representatives you’re meeting with and get a feel for if it’s a business with a conservative culture or a more laid-back vibe. Often firms in the creative or tech industries tend to have more relaxed dress codes, while those in professions such as law, insurance, education, and the like are more formal. However, it can vary a lot.
If you can scope out some pictures of company managers and employees on social media, websites, blogs, and the like, this might give you some insights into the typical look that many favor. If you’re still unsure what to wear, remember that it’s always better to go more formal than less to be on the safe side.
Don’t Show Too Much Skin
No matter what type of company you’re setting a meeting with, it’s always wise to avoid showing too much skin. Steer clear of wearing things like backless tops or dresses, super short skirts, crop tops, low-cut shirts or dresses, short shorts, and the like. Baring too much skin can give the wrong impression, make you seem unprofessional, and distract those you’re meeting with from what you’re saying.
Pick Colors that Suit You
You will help yourself look your best and feel your most confident if you wear clothes in colors that suit your hair and skin tones, particularly when it comes to the parts of clothes closest to your face. You can invest in the best designer outfits for your shape and size, but if they’re in colors that don’t work for you, you won’t stand out in the way you’d hope.
It pays to get feedback from your partner, family members, friends, etc., about which shades help you look your best rather than those that wash you out and do nothing for you. Alternatively, you could engage a stylist to help you pick out suitable outfits in hues that bring out all your best features or even enroll in a workshop or course about color analysis. These types of programs can help you discover if you have “warm” or “cool” skin tones and which shades you should concentrate on wearing and avoiding.
Ensure Clothes Fit You Properly
Another tip is to wear clothing to an important meeting that you know fits properly. Many people don’t pay enough attention to this element, but it can greatly affect how you present yourself. You want the items you wear to fit snugly and not be so loose that they hide your shape and seem ill-fitting or so tight that you’re at risk of busting some seams or feeling uncomfortable for your whole meeting.
Get pieces tailored specifically for your shape as needed. It might cost a bit extra, but you’ll end up with clothing that makes you look your best, and you’ll come across as more professional and confident in turn.
Focus on Grooming and General Presentation
Photo by Ruthson Zimmerman on Unsplash
Be sure to wash and iron your clothes before the day of your big meeting. You may need to use a lint brush or steamer or other tools and equipment, too, to ensure your clothing sits the way it’s meant to and looks neat and tidy. Plus, don’t forget to clean and polish your shoes. Patch any holes that might have opened up in garments and avoid wearing items that display any obscene or otherwise inappropriate words or symbols.
You also want to avoid going overboard with accessories. In a professional setting, one stand-out piece is fine, such as a beautiful necklace or some funky earrings. However, don’t layer on so many pieces that you make a lot of noise as you move or distract people by having an outfit that’s too busy, with too much going on.
Furthermore, avoid sweat-inducing synthetic materials and consider the likely temperature and if the setting could affect things (e.g., wind or humidity if meeting outside). Always choose garments that you can move okay in and don’t have to keep pulling at or breathing in to wear, too.
Follow these steps when selecting what you’ll wear to your important meetings and you’ll feel more poised and confident and make a much better impression.
Read more fashion articles at ClichéMag.com
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