Blog | Cuts Clothing

As you learn how to dress for success, you’ll see you can find professionalism, comfort, and versatility all in one outfit. Here’s how.

Let’s be honest: Success doesn’t look like a stiff in a suit. After all, we’re working in a post-pandemic world where the old rules don’t apply. Choosing comfortable yet elevated clothing can boost your confidence, show your office how seriously you take your job, and perform well at work.

It’s high time to dress for the life you want instead of the one you have. Check out this guide to see how your style choices affect your performance and how to dress for success.

# **Yes, Your Work Wardrobe Affects Your Performance**

We were taught not to judge a book by its cover, but that’s just not how the world works. What you wear at work and at the bar tells people who you are, whether you want it to or not. 

Your style matters for three big reasons:

# **1. Well-dressed People Get Promotions**

Yes, really. How you dress affects how people perceive you. If you dress well, people will notice you more.

# **2. Outer Style Leads to Inner Confidence**

Clothes affect [how you perceive your own abilities](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103112000200). Actually, [41.14% of participants in this survey](https://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1784&context=honors_theses) said the right workplace attire makes them feel like their work is more important. Learning how to dress for success not only makes you look good to other people, but it can help boost your confidence. That confidence can lead you to take on more ambitious projects at work or weigh in more often during meetings.

Nobody has time to agonize over their clothing choices in the morning. When you learn how to dress for success, you can pretty much put your outfits on autopilot. Be strategic with your clothing by creating a capsule wardrobe. Your morning routine will be so much more efficient. That means you can focus on the stuff that matters, like growing your small business or practicing your big presentation.

**How to Dress for Success: 7 Strategy Tips**

You know where you want to be. You might not be there yet, but you can still carry yourself as if you’ve already crossed that finish line. In fact, doing so can actually help you crush your goals faster. 

Learning how to dress for success can empower your moves in life and at work. Boost your confidence, so you can stand tall and show everyone you’re a go-getter without saying a word. 

Follow these seven rules of thumb to dress for success:

Clothes should make you feel good, and dressing for success means emphasizing performance. Look for [versatile workleisure pieces](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/workleisure) that can take you from work to play and everything in between. Make sure they’re built to function with [wrinkle-resistant, pill-free fabrics](https://manofmany.com/fashion/mens-fashion-trends/could-this-be-the-best-t-shirt-brand-on-the-market). After all, nothing screams “amateur” than a fancy dress shirt that wrinkles after one coffee date.

Loud statement pieces might look fun on the rack, but logos, graphics, and bold prints go out of style pretty quickly — and they limit you in terms of clothing combinations. 

When you’re learning how to dress for success while [building a wardrobe that lasts](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/how-to-avoid-fast-fashion), go with earth notes, neutral colors, and a clean aesthetic. This will keep your wardrobe timeless and help you wear each item of clothing in multiple situations.

Sometimes, success means following the rules, so check your work’s dress code before you rebuild your wardrobe — especially if you’re starting a new job (first impressions matter). If you work in a creative industry, lots of clothes fall into the “business casual” umbrella. But if you’re in a traditional industry like finance, you might need to stick with business professional looks — which may include a blazer or jacket. 

But if you don’t have an official dress code, don’t sweat it. Pay attention to what your boss and the other higher-ups wear. That’s your cue for what passes as professional attire at your company.

**4. Look for Comfortable, Polished Clothing**

Sure, a blazer, dress pants, and wing-tipped loafers make an impression, but they’ll leave you sweaty and uncomfortable at the end of the day. Successful people don’t let their clothes hold them back — they select comfortable yet polished, work-ready pieces. 

That’s exactly what you’ll get with our [Pyca Pro fabric](https://www.cutsclothing.com/collections/pyca-pro). Every Pyca garment is buttery soft, breathable, pre-shrunk, and has a four-way stretch. Plus, they look polished enough that you can rock presentations, meetings, a coffee date, and a night on the town without a wardrobe change.

Successful people know that adaptability is the key to winning. After all, it doesn’t make sense to wear an ironed pantsuit to the company picnic.

You have to dress according to where you’re going and what you’re doing. That means you need versatile clothes that you can dress up and down depending on the situation. That might mean:

* Opting for outdoor-friendly fabrics that are breathable and wrinkle-proof, even if you mostly work in an office
* Tossing a blazer or sweater over your T-shirt for work
* Throwing on a [bomber jacket](https://www.cutsclothing.com/products/pine-hyperloop-bomber?variant=40013134037080) when you’re in the cold office and ditching it before you go outside
* Dressing up more than usual for job interviews or posting on social media like LinkedIn

Sit down and strategize what visual message you want to convey. This way, you’ll be in the right frame of mind before you shop for your work outfits. 

Pick a few adjectives to guide your choices. For example, if your adjectives are “powerful” and “responsible,” you probably aren’t going to buy a tangerine-colored blazer for work.

Fast fashion isn’t designed for long-term wear. If you dread showing up to a big meeting with an unexpected hole in your shirt, build your wardrobe with high-quality pieces that are designed to last. 

Take your time to invest in nicer clothes that last longer. You’ll have a more consistent look when you aren’t replacing clothes after a few months of wear. If you aren’t a fan of shopping, bulking up your closet every few months can also help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

A T-shirt is [a lot more than just a shirt](https://www.cutsclothing.com/articles/athletic-fit-t-shirts). Every piece of clothing you wear sends a message — so make sure it’s a good one. Learn how to dress for success by following a few key rules of thumb for your wardrobe:

* Focus on performance
* Go for neutral tones
* Check your work dress code
* Opt for comfortable, polished pieces
* Dress according to the occasion
* Buy based on your personal brand
* Build a wardrobe over time

Dressing for success means dressing like a boss. Be confident, refined, and comfortable with CUTS. [Check out our anniversary collection now](https://www.cutsclothing.com/pages/anniversary-2022).

Yes, Your Work Wardrobe Affects Your Performance

1. Well-dressed People Get Promotions

2. Outer Style Leads to Inner Confidence

1. Don’t Skimp on Performance

2. Go for a Classic, Clean Look

3. Check Your Work’s Dress Code

5. Find Adaptable Pieces

7. Build Your Style Over Time

Dress for Performance and Function