As a real estate professional, you already understand the importance of first impressions. That’s true for curb appeal, but it’s also true for how you dress. Here’s how to navigate the often-confusing issue of how to dress for networking success.
Dress Codes Defined
Black Tie: Men, wear a tuxedo. Women should wear a full-length gown.
Cocktail: Dark suit and tie for men. Women can have more fun with shorter dresses, bolder jewelry, and brighter colors.
Business Formal: Men need to don suits and ties. Women should stick with a pantsuit, skirt suit, or conservative tailored dress in a dark color.
Business Casual: Men should opt for slacks or chinos and a collared shirt; a sports jacket or blazer is optional. Women can mix and match smart separates such as pencil skirts, trousers, blazers, and blouses.
Deciphering the Invitation
Many invitations will tell you the dress code upfront. A cocktail party, for example, definitely requires cocktail attire. An awards banquet might be black tie. And more conferences will learn toward business casual.
If you’re not sure of the dress code for an event, find someone to ask! And if you truly can’t find the information, business casual is your best bet. You can assume that most after-work functions have a business casual dress code, since people won’t have time to change after leaving the office.
No Jeans, Please
The only possible exception to the “no jeans” rule is if you’re working a hands-on volunteer event where you expect to get dirty. Otherwise, jeans send the wrong message. Even if you’ve paired them with a smart blazer or fashionable sweater, they’re still too casual for almost all networking events.
Trendy Accessories: Yay or Nay?
How trendy should you dress? Honestly, that’s up to you. Bold accessories–statement jewelry, for example, or colorful tie-and-pocketsquare combinations–could become a signature look for you. On the other hand, clothes that are too trendy might make you seem younger and less experienced. As a general rule, go for classics that never fall out of style. Leave the jumpsuits, rompers, and formal shorts for your personal life!
Keep It Classy
It’s not necessarily fair, but ladies should avoid showing too much skin when they dress for networking events. That means avoiding low-cut tops and keeping the hemlines below the knee.
It’s also a good idea to choose a more neutral makeup palette. IF it’s in your style wheelhouse, you can still rock a classic red lip. Otherwise, skip the bold lip colors, dramatic winged eyeliner, or smoky shadow. And no sky-high platforms, either. Your feet will thank you later!
