Dress For Success: 5 Easy Ways To Boost Your Confidence At Work

Staying confident at work can be difficult at the best of times. Whether you’ve started a new job, or you’re worried about what your colleagues think of you, or you’re worried that you’re not good enough (Imposter Syndrome is a common problem), staying confident is hard.

If your self-esteem has been taking a hit lately, there are a few things you can do about it. And one of those is to dress for success — you’d be surprised at how what you wear can boost your confidence in the workplace.

In this post, we’ll be covering five easy ways to boost your confidence at work simply by fixing your work wardrobe. Read on for top tips on projecting your own style, professionalism, and confidence through the power of fashion.

1.  Dress for the occasion

One of the most simple ways that you can boost your confidence at work is by dressing for the occasion.

Feeling underdressed, overdressed, or as if your outfit choices seem out of place compared to everyone else can have a big effect on your confidence in the workplace, and leave you feeling self-conscious and awkward.

The best way to fix this? Get to the root of the problem and dress for the occasion, whatever it may be. Whether you’re meeting an important client for lunch, or it’s dress-down Friday, dressing appropriately will ensure that you don’t feel embarrassed and shy as soon as you walk in the door.

Instead of frantically rummaging through your wardrobe and throwing together an outfit just before you leave the house in the morning, plan your outfit accordingly the night before.

If you’re unsure about what to wear and you don’t know the level of formality, then have a think about what other people in your workplace have worn in similar situations and go from there. And if in doubt, aim for something stylish but neutral — you can’t go wrong with black pants and heels. Remember, the more versatile your outfit choice, the more likely it will suit all sorts of work scenarios.

2.  Comfort equals confidence too

You would be surprised how much being comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing can impact how confident you feel in the workplace.

Discomfort can be extremely distracting — especially at work — and can stop you from performing at your best, or concentrating on the task at hand.

Take underwear, for example. It doesn’t matter what sort of image you’re portraying outwardly with your outfit; if your underwear is riding up and letting you down, then you’re going to feel uncomfortable and awkward.

Dressing for success starts from that first layer; aim for work underwear that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Whether it’s versatile and supportive bras you won’t even notice you’re wearing, or seamless panties to avoid VPL, there is some great underwear out there that is both stylish and comfortable.

As for the rest of your outfit: wear clothes that fit you properly, and that you don’t spend all your time readjusting so that they’re less itchy or tight or uncomfortable.

If you find blazers uncomfortable and restrictive, then stick to feminine dresses or skirt and blouse combos. Or if you don’t like wearing tights, then style your work outfits around power suits and trousers instead.

3.  Emphasize your best features

They say in most situations, playing to your strengths is the best thing to do. The same goes for your work wardrobe; emphasizing your best features will allow you to play to your strengths and really boost your confidence.

Dress in a way that highlights your best features, makes the most of your figure and makes you feel attractive.

The best way to do this is by figuring out what body shape you have (if you don’t know already) and choosing styles that complement your frame.

If you’ve got a curvier figure, then don’t hide it! Use clothes that draw you in at the waist and accentuate your curves, such as tailored jackets, pencil skirts and wrap dresses. And if you’re tall and slender, then you can play around with flattering midi skirts, or try out skinny ankle-skimming pants and boxy tops.

With a bit of effort, you can piece together outfits that suit your figure and accentuate your best assets — making you feel more confident, attractive and powerful in the workplace.

4.  Be yourself and find your own style

It’s all very well being an avid fashion-follower and staying on-trend, but if you don’t find your own style and feel like you’re not being yourself at work, then your confidence will take a hit. Just because everyone else is wearing it, doesn’t mean that you should.

Finding the perfect balance between this season’s trends and your own style will boost your confidence no end, give you a unique look, and make you feel like your best self at work.

Pick the best of this season’s offerings — avoiding trends that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t flatter your figure — and pair them with your own style. You add your own twist to current trends by adding your own statement jewelry or killer heels — it’s up to you. You want people to be able to feel your personality through your work wardrobe, as well as your professionalism.

5.  Keep it simple by investing in a few key pieces

We often spend our time overcomplicating things — buying too many clothes, spending hours in front of the mirror piecing looks together, or trying to say too much with an outfit.

Generally speaking, simple is often best. Invest in a few key pieces for your work wardrobe; whether it’s an investment suit jacket, a statement bag, or powerful pencil skirt, the right pieces will deliver time and time again as you rework them, keeping you looking on-trend and professional at the same time.

The right quality pieces don’t just help to tie together any outfit — they will also last much longer than cheaper products, making them a great investment. This way, you can mix and match timeless statement pieces with on-trend items, creating a look that suits you and boosts your confidence at work.

Dressing for success doesn’t have to be difficult; follow these top tips to boost your confidence at work with ease, simply by revamping your work wardrobe.