How to Dress for Success, Regardless of What Industry You’re In

What are you wearing right now?

No need to blush. The focus of this article is how to dress for success—in any type of work environment—by employing the concept of “enclothed cognition”: the term Psychologists use to describe how what you wear affects your identity. 

In fact, we witnessed a worldwide identity crisis through fashion during the lockdown: 

• TikTok videos of employees donning blazers with boxer shorts during Zoom meetings went viral. 
• Influencers sold a boatload of “buttery soft” leggings.
• And horrified fashion designers created a new line of inner-wear called “workleisure”: clothing with the functionality of leisurewear and the appearance of traditional office attire, such as tailored pants made with stretchier fabric.

Today, however, more people are back in the office—at least a few days a week—and having in-person meetings again. Which means wearing pants is no longer optional.

That said, it doesn’t mean we have to stand in our closets agonizing over having “nothing to wear,” nor do we have to resort to buying five plain, dark shirts and calling it a day to avoid brain fatigue (like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg). 

The only question you really need to ask when contemplating what to wear is:

Who do I have to become in order to achieve my goals?

That’s what enclothed cognition is all about. Dressing in alignment with the vision you have for your life. Thus, when you think of the version of yourself who’s on par with achieving your goals, what are you wearing?

This is important because studies exploring enclothed cognition are concluding that how we dress has a direct correlation to how we perceive ourselves as well as how others perceive us (e.g., customers or clients).

For instance, a study published in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, conducted by researchers Adam Galinksy and Hajo Adam, concluded that “there seems to be something special about the physical experience of wearing a piece of clothing.” 

The experiment involved a white lab coat and three groups of volunteers. 

Two-thirds of the subjects were asked to wear a white coat, while the remaining subjects were instructed to only look at a white coat.

Here’s where it gets interesting: 

Half of the subjects wearing the coat were told it was a medical lab coat. Then all of the subjects underwent cognitive tests. Those wearing what they believed was a medical lab coat scored significantly higher than the other two groups. 

Pretty compelling evidence demonstrating how what we wear can increase what we expect from ourselves—and not only look smarter but be smarter. 

Does this mean that you need to wear formalwear and stiff shoes that you have to secretly kick off beneath your desk in order to achieve your goals? 

No! 

Enclothed cognition is about dressing in a way that causes you to stand taller, not keel over from shapewear that robs you of oxygen. 

Some examples of how to comfortably elevate your style, regardless of your work environment include…

• Wearing a crisp suit tailored to fit you a la Ryan Gosling in Crazy. Stupid. Love.
• Sporting a polo shirt with your company’s logo embroidered on it, tucked into a pair of pressed slacks
• Dressing up a pair of jeans (no holes!) in a dark wash with a pressed shirt, blazer, heels or loafers, a belt, and a watch or piece of jewelry
• Swapping heels for neutral sneakers (not workout shoes) when wearing trousers—a widespread trend inspired by New York businesswomen and creatives alike
• Throwing a cardigan or sweater over your shoulders instead of tying it around your waist
• Adding a belt to almost anything to pull your look together

Even those who work out in the elements can don a uniform that says, “I am [INSERT DESCRIPTOR OF YOUR IDEAL SELF].” Just look at the respect firefighters command: they wear that soot well. 

Remember, enclothed cognition is about who you need to become in order to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself; therefore, the fashion rules are up to you—giving new meaning to the expression:

“That outfit is so becoming.”

Style Tip: Instead of looking through Pinterest and becoming overwhelmed by all the latest trends being promoted by influencers, look at your style icons—the ones whose style matches the vision of who you’re becoming. Then narrow your search for similar pieces or see if you can replicate an outfit from what’s already hanging in your closet.