The most important factor in dressing professionally is in one word – be appropriate.
Here are some tips to ensure that you can always be appropriate.
- Pay consideration to the situation you are in, what would the expectation be of how to dress in that environment, what would make others feel comfortable, and wanting to do business or get to know you more.
- Are the circumstances normal, or are they different due to a special event?
- Does the climate determine that you dress differently?
- What other people are you going to be with and how will they be dressed?
- Pay attention to your physical attributes and always dress in a way that enhances your body shape and personality, and not in a way that others might find offensive or strange.
- Always dress for the job at hand.
This Week’s Task
Take a look in the mirror. Be critical. How can you improve on your appearance. Are you looking professional enough?
QUESTION: As a therapist or salon owner, how are you and your staff presenting today? If you were a new client coming into your business, what would your first impressions be? You can leave your comments here.
Yvonne Parkel says
I was thrilled to know you started this discussion!!! It’s about time the beauty industry professionals move themselves forward as leaders in the world of beauty. How can you expect to gain the trust and respect of your clients when you go to work in your running shoes and work out clothes? I look forward to reading what other have to say about this topic. I’m an old hairdresser who worked in the day when hairdressers were the leaders of the pack and could be picked out in a crowd as leaders in the beauty/fashion world. Thanks, Julie. I hope this discussion wakes ’em up to participate in the glory of our profession!
Nicole L says
I feel so passionate about this subject. As clients, we walk in looking for professional advice. (Especially if I am paying for a professional style) thank you for putting this out there! Do you have any books written on this subject? I would love to offer a class on this subject alone.
Devene Walker says
I agree with you Julie Hyne. Client do their own assessment as they walk through the door and what suits them is what sells the business and the profession is a competitive one so you have to go the extra mile.
Anetra Henry-Hunting says
It depends on the atmosphere of the salon, what you should wear. I personally prefer a dress code for salon employees with a black base because it helps keep the focus on the client during their experience. We discussed this very topic on CAREER Conversations a few weeks back…check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ugD_zyemc&feature=g-subs-u.
Carolyn Flowers says
I applaud all the comments and share the sentiments. It would be good to know clients and my colleagues are reading / following this topic. There is however a flip side to client’s reception to our physical appearance and our acquired knowledge: you wear a nice outfit with pearl jewelry and they’d ask “why are you so dressed?” or “where are you going?” Or better yet comment that you’re wearing more expensive stuff than they do. You may have attended a workshop or seminar on the weekend, attempt to impart prudent information and its construed as incessant chatter or they’d rather not hear about it -yet want to talk about the happenings on the day’s Soap opera or about their friend(s). The same information is however readily accepted when garnered from their gym instructor or an assistant in the Pharmacy or grocery store.
Chris Harker says
At my salon we only are not allowed to wear shorts. I think everyone at my job does a great job of looking good and I think our clients like that we all have a differant style. Sometimes we dress up and some people don’t but we never look at each other and say that we don’t look good either way. So yes a dress code is important but if your employees are mature enough to make good decisions then I don’t think one is needed.
Jody Lende says
I have to agree with Chris on his point about if employees are mature enough to make good decisions. That should be enough! But in the real wold sometimes it is not. Also let me point out that maturity has nothing to do with age! I have had gals in their 40’s dress like slobs or worse than that like sluts, while someone half their age seems to always be well put together & very professional. With mature, grown-ups it doesn’t become an issue, but I think it’s important to have a dress code in place so that when someone pushes the boundaries you have a written code to support you when you tell them “nice outfit, but not for work” or ask them “did you just come from the gym? Are you are going to change & do you hair before your client gets here right?”’
Danielle M says
In the past I had a hard time with my stylists to understand the concept of dressing for success and be attractive, classy without being loud and trashy. Yet with much drama, as go back home change your top, can’t wear jeans with holes etc… I finally designed a simple low cost uniform. Black pants and a V neck t-shirt with the salon logo. Since it’s been drama free, they are happier, they don’t fight over who is wearing a nicer outfit and they share with me that it is much easier in the morning to decide what to wear since they are all wearing the same thing. Voila problem solved… I keep extra shirts on hand just in case. I give the shirts to my staff at no cost to them.