by Aisling Ashbery

Created on: August 22, 2010   Last Updated: February 25, 2012

We’ve all heard about the importance of presenting ourselves well in the workplace.  We’ve heard how dressing appropriately can help us project a professional image, and can even help us feel more focused.  But one thing that we don’t always hear about is how dressing appropriately can actually affect everyone else around us as well. 

There is a lot of truth in the commonly quoted William Shakespeare line, “All the world’s a stage.”  It’s no secret that people act differently in different situations.  When you’re out with your friends, you might let loose and act crazy.  When you’re spending time with your kids, you probably want to project a loving yet in-control air.  And of course, when you work, you want a feeling of professionalism and polish.  Environmental cues play a big part in how we act.  If you’re at a bar with swanky décor and expensive drinks, you’ll likely act differently than if the floor is stained and the glasses are dirty.

In the same way, dressing appropriately in the office is one way to create a professional environment.  If everyone is dressed in a professional manner, then coworkers and customers are more likely to act in a professional way.  If people are not dressed professionally, customers are less likely to get a professional image from the surroundings, and coworkers are also less likely to behave in a professional way. 

When coworkers see their fellow employees dressing in a very professional manner, it does a few things for their attitude.  First, it creates a professional scene for them to exist in.  It would be more natural for a coworker to act professionally in a professional setting than for them to act professionally in a setting that feels more casual.  It also helps coworkers feel as though a standard has been set that they should follow. Wearing professional clothing helps to create this professional environment for coworkers and customers.

When customers see the workers of an office dressed professionally, they create certain expectations of the company.  We can see this in examples of common retail stores.  If someone walks into WalMart, they will have a very different expectation of the company than someone who walks into a White House Black Market store. This is due to the presentation of each company, and one part of that presentation is how the employees and other customers are dressed.

Learn more about this author, Aisling Ashbery.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.