What we choose to wear to work matters – and for more reasons than we might think.
In her book, ‘You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You,’ Clinical Psychologist Dr Jennifer Baumgartner explains we use clothing as a way to establish our place in society.
Baumgartner believes what you wear tells others about your earning power, level of intelligence, and the amount of influence you have. In addition, what you wear at work also reveals what you think about yourself and how you want others to perceive you.
I know in my own experience, what I choose to wear to work in the morning sets the tone for the rest of my day. It can determine if I’m going to have a good day, or a bad day.
It all begins when we choose the work shirt.
Whether your male or female, it’s important to find a work shirt that is not only breathable but designed with comfort and functionality mind. You also want to choose a work shirt that is going to keep you cool during the day and moves with you, instead of stifling you, no matter the type of environment you work in.
Whether you’re opting for short or long-sleeved work shirt, here are some things to consider when choosing the right work shirt for you:
- Choose a lightweight fabric. Cotton with elastane is a popular choice and one that is built to last. You want one that is prepared to withstand regular wear and tea
- Choose one for functionality. For example, does it have underarm and upper back mesh airflow venting, twin button-down flap chest pockets, or is it able to provide storage for your essentials?
- Choose the perfect work shirt for you and your industry. Whether it’s a Hi-vis button-up, which are considered a staple in the industrial sector, or a more relaxed look with Hi-Vis Polo shirts when looking for a mix of professional and casual together, find that one that suits you.
- For women, choose a work shirt that includes everything you need, such as a closed front with FR nylon press studs and a hyper-freeze fabric finish. When you choose a flat seam construction on your work shirt, it not only ensures a great fit, but also adds a hint of sophistication.
- Choose the right size. It’s important to find the right size for your work shirt and one that accentuates your unique build.
- Choose safety. For some, it is necessary to work from dusk to dawn, so it is important to wear a work shirt that is going to make sure you are visible to those around you in all levels of light. If that is the case, look for one with an H pattern on the front, and X pattern on the back, as well as bio motion taping on the arms, that will enhance daytime and nighttime visibility.
- Choose the right color. Work shirts come in a wide variety of colors that include Alaskan blue, charcoal, or chambray, to name only a few. Warm colors are fiery hues that can make an outfit come to life, such as orange and yellow. Cool colors are more calming, such as blue, green, and purple and give off a peaceful, more subdued look. Neutral Colors are staples to any wardrobe and include black, white, gray, which can be called the glue that holds your outfits together.
- Choose a work shirt that dictates your mindset. It has been proven that clothing subconsciously influences how we think and act. For example, studies have shown if you wear formal clothes, you are more likely to talk formally or be able to concentrate more.
In conclusion, one would never imagine that that a wardrobe addition such as a work shirt could consciously influence our lives, but studies show that it does. The clothing people wear has the ability to make them feel more or less confident and has a direct correlation to how they perceive themselves.
Choose wisely.
