WHEN PROFESSOR AND AUTHOR Karen Pine asked students to wear Superman t-shirts and answer a series of questions, they not only rated themselves as more likeable and superior to their plain-clothed class members, they even ranked themselves as stronger.
Pine was exploring a concept called enclothed cognition for her book Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion. It’s the concept that our inner mental processes and perceptions can be influenced by our clothing decisions, and it’s been illustrated by a number of studies.
In another fascinating study, covered by The New York Times, undergraduates at Northwestern University were randomly assigned a white lab coat or normal clothes, and those in white coats made half as many errors their counterparts in an attention-based test, while they also commanded more attention from their peers.
Clothing has a very real impact on the way that we perform and think about ourselves, and that effect can be hugely significant in a work context, especially for women who have an extensive range of workwear to pick from, though it is important for men too.
Here, freelance stylist Corina Gaffey shares her insider tips for seamless office style that will boost your mood at work (see her Instagram for more inspiration):
Got a diary that’s jam-packed with meetings this month? Sometimes stocking up on the right items to impress when meeting clients can be a little bit of a minefield. According to Gaffey, there are three specific items you should think about splashing out on that will always raise your confidence at work.
Invest in a great dress – one that has sleeves, flatters your figure and doesn’t need a jacket with it. It’s practical and you don’t have to worry about separates and it will take you through a busy day of meetings, lunch and evening events.
Once you have found that, Gaffey suggests hunting down two other major staples to make you feel extra confident at work: “Find a shirt with interesting sleeves or details that you could easily wear on the weekend too, and a blazer can underpin any work wardrobe.”
Feel like you impressed your boss at interview stage but your style has slipped a little since? If you’re looking to consistently feel great in workwear, Gaffey suggests to take inspiration from one of the most dapper dressers on TV, Mad Men’s Don Draper in order to boost your confidence in the office:
For men, get a crisp white poplin shirt – it’s versatile and timeless which will take you from job interviews and business meetings to weddings and everything in-between. Take your lead from Jon Hamm in Mad Men who always had one freshly laundered in his desk drawer.
Have a big event coming up and need a little guidance when it comes to suits? “A navy blue suit is like the LBD of the suit world. Invest in a single-breasted, two-button suit in a lightweight material that will take you through all the seasons,” says Gaffey.
Have a lot of after-hours meetings and events you’d love to feel great for? That can be easily remedied by pairing diverse pieces together, says Gaffey:
Choose pieces that are easily switched up and will well work into the evening. Try a metallic skirt worn casually with a jumper, or an embellished shoe that works for both day and evening, or evening dress that is layered with more casual items for the daytime. What I think is interesting is wearing opposing materials and pieces in an unexpected way.
Need an instant mood boost on your way out of the office for something unexpected? Feeling good after a long day in the office is all about a few subtle finishing touches, says Gaffey:
If it’s a last minute engagement, a fresh coat of lipstick or a slick of eyeliner, a quick change of shoes to a more dressy pair and statement earring are always what I go to freshen up my look.
Need to impress and be on your game at a less formal meeting, like a breakfast or a lunch? Think about investing in a classic piece with a new twist or accessories instead to up your style game at work, according to Gaffey:
I think it’s always safe to go for classic pieces with subtle tweaks such as a shirt with an exaggerated sleeve, a midi skirt in a fun print or accessories that will really reinvigorate what you already have – like a loafer, block heel shoe or interesting jewellery that’s still office -appropriate.
Have an important presentation coming up you’ve to plan an outfit for? Use the summer as an excuse to add splashes of colour to your wardrobe. Gaffey reveals the most flattering and the ones most likely to make you feel good and raise your confidence at important work events:
“Opt for creams, khakis, burgundies, teals and tobacco and discreet flashes of bright colours like pink and yellow that can work well in accent pieces.”
Struggling to show off your style within a pretty strict dress code in work? Play with accessories instead to boost your confidence and style at work if you’re a little restricted with clothes, suggests Gaffey:
Stock your work wardrobe with statement-making accessories cool bucket bags, eye-catching jewellery, and shoes that all you put your best foot forward. Investing in some nice elevated staples like an interesting-shaped dress and cropped tailored trousers will allow you to take your look for super corporate to cool and chic.
From 28th April to 1st May, Dundrum Town Centre will host its ‘Shop for Good’ charity fundraising initiative for the fourth year in a row. To get involved, Dundrum Town Centre is asking its customers to purchase Shop for Good coupons for €1 from pop-up booths around the centre. The coupons will allow customers to avail of fantastic discounts across a huge range of stores and restaurants over the four-day campaign, with 100% of the proceeds from the sales of the coupons will go to Pieta House.
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