Modern business style isn’t about trying to look younger. It’s about being current.
Confession: I’m lousy at the whole fashion thing and your physical image is a very personal matter, so I wouldn’t dare tell you what to do with your hairstyle or clothes. Not specifically anyway. However, for those of us graying around the edges, it is common to worry about appearing old at work. While most of us focus on our gray hair as an issue, we should instead be evaluating our overall professional style, as it gives an impression of our business mindset. These tips will get you well on your way to ensuring that your professional style reflects modern business practices.
HAIR: Take out a picture of you 10 years ago. Is your hair style the same today? If so, you probably need to update it.
- Find a high-end hair salon in your area and book an appointment for a consultation with a lead stylist.
- Buy three leading men’s or women’s fashion magazines. Cut out pictures of hair styles you think may look good on you to show to the stylist.
- And the grays? To color or not to color is up to you. Just remember, it is better to be a graying forward thinker than a dyed old school manager.
FACIAL HAIR: Same goes for facial hair, fellas. The goatee you all seem to be compelled to grow in your 40’s isn’t fooling anyone into thinking you’re young. And ladies, if you’re in denial about your mid-life billy goat beard, it’s time to take a close look in the magnifying mirror and invest in a quality tweezer or dermatology treatment.
EYEGLASSES: Like shoes, glasses are a fashion item that is constantly changing. Sometimes it takes some luck to find a design that fits your style, but usually there are some classic choices that accommodate most styles. Consider trying a new style of frames every two years or so. Even subtle differences in the frames can make an impact to staying current.
CLOTHES: Dedicate a Saturday morning to assess your wardrobe and accessories (belts, ties, shoes, purses, etc.). Remove everything from your closet and put it on your bed. Evaluate each item, one-by-one. Keep the old ragged college sweatshirt if you’d like, but when evaluating work clothes, only put items back in the closet which meet all these criteria:
- You bought it less than 3 years ago.
- You wore it within the past year.
- It fits you, and you feel confident in it.
GET SOME FEEDBACK: Asking friends for feedback is a good start, but chances are that they will spare your feelings and not tell you the whole truth. (They are also likely to be your age and not any more in tune with current fashion trends.) Instead, set up a survey on Survey Monkey. Start by snapping some photos of you wearing five to ten outfits for work and posting them to a survey. Send it to 50 random strangers in their 30’s asking them to rank each outfit based on if it conveys someone ready to retire or ready to get hired at a cutting-edge company. For less than a hundred bucks, you’ll get some very honest feedback to help you determine if you’re on track or if it’s time to get a professional stylist.
These relatively simple steps can go a long way to help you find your personal style and proudly own your age. Being your best self is the surest way to build your professional confidence.