“Anyone who wears sweatpants has lost control of their life.”
This famous quote from fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld serves as an opportunity to reflect on the dress code conventions of leadership levels in companies and corporations. Because if you are a leader, you should present yourself as one—not only through your personality but also through your visual appearance. Through your outfit. This demonstrates to supervisors, employees, and clients that you know how to fulfill your position, facilitates communication, and signals respect.
Dress Appropriately
If you have recently assumed your position, this may mean: Acquire an outfit appropriate to your role. Not every CEO can afford to appear on stage like Steve Jobs in ill-fitting jeans and a baggy turtleneck. Or even neglect personal hygiene.
You should be familiar with these dress codes:
Business
Typically, in conservative industries such as banking or management consulting, a suit with tie for men and a suit or pantsuit for women is standard. This is complemented by well-maintained, high-quality shoes and a quality wristwatch. If women wear jewelry, only a few select pieces.
Business Casual
Common at more liberal employers such as universities or publishing houses. Follow the classic business outfit, but leave the tie at home—or, depending on the occasion, even the jacket.
Casual
This look is found at many medium and small companies. Men and women are frequently seen in jeans plus shirt or blouse—casual wear. But please, well-maintained.
For all dress codes, and equally for women and men: Show as little skin as possible. Leaders should therefore always wear shirts or blouses with long sleeves.
The easiest way to find the right style in your company is to examine the look of other successful leaders. If you are struggling—or have no interest in fashion whatsoever—simply ask a color and style consultant for assistance.
As always, exceptions prove the rule!
Our world, and thus the business environment, is constantly changing. Even managers from large corporations are dressing more casually, ties remain in the closet, and instead of highly polished dress shoes they now wear sneakers like Dieter Zetsche. Looking at young successful companies and entrepreneurs, they focus on authenticity and approachability rather than an appropriate outfit from conservative thinking. It is now not at all unusual for the CEO to come to the office in sneakers or for even supposedly conservative banks to relax their dress code requirements.
Simply be authentic. Otherwise: Are you a star in your company because you can do something no one else can and therefore want to create your own dress code? Similar to Steve Jobs, mentioned earlier, in his signature black turtleneck-jeans combination with sneakers and no belt? If you are not truly irreplaceable, you should probably express your need for self-presentation differently. Because even Steve Jobs would have looked better with a belt.
Therefore, remember:
- A leader should look and present themselves like a leader. This simplifies communication and signals respect.
- Leaders look different in every industry and every company. At minimum, one of the three dress codes applies: Business, Business Casual, or Casual.
- In cases of risk and uncertainty, use common sense or consult your color and style consultant.
Or to introduce a disruptive approach to the conventions of the well-dressed businessperson:
“In fashion, you must constantly destroy in order to renew yourself. Love what you hated, and hate what you loved.”
