Look and Feel Like A Badass Marketer: How To Level Up Your Professional Wardrobe
Professional dress codes and style have been undergoing a dramatic transformation.
As Image Consultant, Naana Badu-Pettigrew notes, “There is a culture shift that’s happening in the workplace right now. Professional dress is being redefined, especially after the pandemic. Folks are ready to burn the black suits and stiletto heels and get more comfortable because they value authenticity.”
Drawing from her decade of experience as a management consultant, Naana shared two game-changing insights about style and success: “Convinction is more respected than conformity” and “Standing out has more impact than blending in.”
The power of personal style
“What you wear is a super powerful element of who you are and the messages you project to the world,” Badu-Pettigrew explains. She points to research from Business Insider showing that clothing choices not only shape others’ perceptions (which we definitely can relate to as marketers) but can significantly influence career advancement opportunities.
Naana encourages marketers to reflect on what is important to you when it comes to showing up authentically and understanding your style persona. You can take the steps to define your style persona by asking some of the following questions:
Do you prefer simplicity and structure?
Do you want to invest in high-quality pieces?
Do you like wearing bold colors or patterns?
Do you love to have fun and experiment with fashion?
Do you prefer wearing skirts and dresses over pants all day?
Do you want to wear something comfortable and functional?
Asking yourself these questions will help you navigate how to incorporate your professional look. It’s also ok if you like to change up how you look on the regular. Naana says that you can mix up your style in different ways: “You can pick one style for your clothes and pick another style for your shoes and accessories.”
Say goodbye to the “what do I wear today?” stress
When we ask ourselves the question “What do I wear today?”, we only think about the shirts, bottoms, and outwear. Naana encourages us to think about other elements that encapsulate your wardrobe: earrings, shoes, jewelry, and your personal care routine.
“The problem is a lot of folks just stop at clothing when you need to keep going to feel stylish and be stylish,” Naana emphasizes. Each element from the shoes you wear, outerwear you leave the house with, to how you style your hair plays a crucial role in creating your complete professional image.
Start thinking about your professional wardrobe formula by checking out Naana’s Work Outfit Lookbook!
For every budget, there’s a way to feel and be stylish
Naana stresses that great style isn’t about expensive brands or unlimited budgets. “Style is not dependent on your size or your bank account. You can have great style at any price point,” she affirms.
Instead, she encourages you to focus on:
Investing in proper fit (find a good tailor in your neighborhood!)
Buying the best quality you can within your budget
Focusing on quality over quantity (opt for better quality fabrics that will last longer)
Challenging yourself to add color to your look
Move forward with confidence
“Your authenticity is your source of confidence,” Naana reminds us. “When you have conviction in it and you are not afraid to set yourself apart from others and be you, that is when the magic happens, doors open, and you are able to step fully through with ultimate confidence.”
Whether you’re heading to the office or logging on remotely, be intentional about your professional style while staying true to yourself. It isn’t just about looking good - it’s about creating powerful opportunities for growth and career advancement through authentic self-expression.
Connect with Naana on LinkedIn for more styling tips and advice to help you dress confidently at work.
Join MKTG WMN if you’re looking for access to incredible experts and a community that will support you along your marketing career path.
