January 2013 A Month of Blogging - Day 7

Dressing For Success

This is a true story experienced first hand by myself and can be corroborated by others if you wish.

I'd never been one for power dressing for business I always felt it was something that super stressed and high flying execs did or women in business that felt they needed to use their femininity to get ahead. Not classing myself in either of these categories it was something that never crossed my mind.
I always dressed smartly when I was in the offices of clients and practically when on farm. Then for my virtual clients it didn't matter at all what I wore. But I still had my work wardrobe.

Well this all changed about a year ago. I was accompanying a client to a meeting with a fairly well established business man and I was sorting out my clothes the night before. I'd picked out my black trouser suit from the wardrobe and was raking for my faithful mid heel shoes that I always wore with it. And I spied a pair of shoes I had forgotten I owned.

These were a pair of gorgeous purple high heels. They were stunning but not practical for work. I laid them next to my old faithfuls and went to bed.

Next morning I realised that the hem on my trousers was down and with not enough time to hem them it was back to the wardrobe again. The only other semi smart item that I owned to go with the suit jacket was a black dress. My other suits were at the cleaners so it would have to be the dress.

Paired with the jacket, black tights and black shoes I looked ready - to go to a funeral (as my other half at the time kindly told me!)

Ach well I'd have to do I told myself as I dashed out the door and into the car.

Driving into town I realised I'd picked up the purple heels with my bag so by the time I'd gotten into town I'd decided to wear them just for a bit of fun.

The meeting went well. My client achieved their target I did the note taking etc everyone was happy. Afterwards I was standing in the queue at Starbucks for a coffee when a woman asked where I'd gotten my shoes from and we were standing chatting when my phone rang. It was the man (lets call him Mr X) I'd just come out of the meeting with. He was calling to thank me for minute taking etc and that he wanted to arrange another meeting.

I'd have to double check with my client his availability I replied. No Mr X said just you I'd like you to come meet me to discuss working for me. I loved the serious but still with an element of fun attitude you take to your work and that is reflected in your appearance too. I later learned that the purple heels had been topic of conversation between Mr X and his associate for an hour after I left the first meeting. (Imagine two 40 something straight men chatting about purple heels - mental image is hilarious in my head)

But the point of this little tale is I got a new client based upon what I was wearing. I deliberated this many times and the next meeting I had with a potential client or existing I dressed similarly and then did control experiments.

Every time I power dressed I achieved exactly what I wanted and more. Without it I had to work harder for what I wanted.

This was proof enough to me that if you look like you mean business but have a bit of personality shining through your only limit is your imagination. And yes there is a school of thought that will say but I had a more positive mind set etc maybe this is the case. But don't take away a perfect excuse for pretty shoes or a bright shirt or jacket with a funky lining. Lets all have pretty clothes that give us 'the power' to release our potential ;)

Go on give it a go for yourself. Power dress for your next meeting with a client (potential or existing) and see what happens for you.