Aiming for that promotion? First, dress for success

First impressions count, and dressing appropriately helps in career advancement

- Alyssa Woo

If you want to get ahead in your career or clinch that multi-million dollar deal, first start with your wardrobe.

Even former US president Barack Obama understood that clothes maketh the man. Mr Obama's then right-hand man, Mr Reggie Love, wrote in his 2015 memoir: "We both had to learn how to dress the part. Because the impression we made could mean the difference between a yes or a no vote."

A common mistake made by professionals of both genders is the mixing of formal and informal articles of clothing, such as high heels with summer dresses, or wearing a pair of Oxford shoes with very casual jeans, said personal stylist Julia Blank.

"This mismatch often detracts from the overall aesthetic and can leave a less polished impression," she added.

Feeling comfortable in your work attire is absolutely essential in this heat and humidity, though the weather should not be an excuse to dress down too much, in Ms Jill Lowe's opinion.

The founder of corporate and personal branding consultancy Jill Lowe International said: "Dubai is hotter. There's such a thing called light fabric. I have had Arab clients asking me to make suits for them. At their (senior) level, they must wear a suit. We tailored a suit out of Super 100 wool - it is so light and cool. If there's a will, there's a way."

Ms Lowe added: "It's not that Singaporeans don't dress well; they don't have enough information to dress appropriately for the occasion. Image is all public courtesy. It's not about beauty or being handsome, and if you can be respected rather than be suspected, you have a great advantage."

A 2013 study published by the Journal Of Fashion Marketing And Management had 274 participants rate faceless male models, based on their clothing, on the following attributes: confidence, success, trustworthiness, salary and flexibility.