How To Be The Best Dressed At Meetings

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. So understanding the type of meetings you are headed into and having the forethought to dress in a manner that plays to your advantage is just plain smart. An entrepreneur is the physical representation of their business. Therefore the external appearance does matter and can heavily influence someone’s initial opinion of a business leader’s personality, competence and capability. Any presenter will be perceived as knowledgeable and responsible if they appear well put together.

Here’s how you should dress to impress those clients

1. Dress Sharp
Don’t be a sloppy dresser. Wearing creased shirts and baggy pants will only give the impression of a lazy person who loves the couch more than a conference room. Recently laundered shirts tailored to your size, portray a person who is serious about what they do and takes pride in their work. They also give the impression of some one who is ready to work on themselves.

2. Dress according to your audience
In a world where young adults have built billion dollar companies, formal attire is not always necessary. Dress in accordance with the people you will be meeting to avoid awkward situations. A 30 year old CEO might be fine with faded jeans and a hoodie while some of the more experienced chiefs might prefer a three piece suit with polished leather shoes. A little bit of homework before the meeting won’t hurt anybody.

3. Face, hair and facial hair
It is good to spend a little time in front of the mirror every day. Comb your hair, clean behind your ears, trim wherever required and wash your face. They may seem like a minor affair but affect the grand scheme of things. A neat, crease free, tailored suit won’t mean much if your face does not look the part. Even if it is just a casual meeting a fresh face makes it look like you are interested in the meeting and didn’t have to force yourself out of the bed.

4. Dress for comfort
While it is important to dress well, it is equally important to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. Tight shoes, a tie that’s blocking the wind pipe or even an uncomfortable shirt will not allow you to concentrate on the meeting. Uncomfortable clothes will make you look fidgety and uninterested, which is not the kind of impression you want to make. Don’t force yourself to wear something you are not comfortable in just to impress somebody else. 

5. Make the effort
It’s not necessary to have a new shirt or the latest trends for every meeting. But it is important to show that you have made an effort to prepare for the meeting. It shows commitment and dedication to work and to the clients. Making a conscious effort to look your best for the meeting will not only boost your confidence but it also helps to send the right message.

A well dressed person looks like some one who is prepared to take on the world and shoot for the stars. Therefore it is important to work on your attire as well as on the main presentation. It’s like the old adage goes, “If only looks could kill.”