There is of course no ‘uniform’ for an entrepreneur, but if you want people to invest in you, your ideas and your business, you need to look the part. It only takes seven seconds for us to make snap judgements about our fellow human beings, but those snap judgements do stick, and once they are stuck they don’t come unstuck too easily.
You may well believe that the quality of your ideas has nothing to do with the clothes you wear, and you’d be right, but dressing the part shows that you understand the codes of convention. Starting out as an entrepreneur is tough enough as it is, without making life even more difficult for yourself. Here are some key points of style that you need to address before you make that important pitch.
Your clothing
Business casual work wear is what you should be aiming for when meeting prospective investors or collaborators. Don’t go for formal business attire unless advised to, as it may look like you are trying too hard.
Dressing smartly shows that you have respect for the person or people that you are meeting. If you arrive dressed as you might be for a Saturday morning in the backyard, the implication is that you don’t take this meeting seriously. Clothing for men and women should be simple and stylish, you are not out to dazzle with your blindingly original take on contemporary fashion, unless that is you are pitching your blindingly original take on contemporary fashion. Looking smart means that your clothing fits properly and that it is clean and ironed. When you look smart and feel comfortable, you’ll feel confident about the impression that you are making.
The glasses you wear
Glasses are a focal point of the face. If you wear glasses, don’t let yourself down by wearing glasses that don’t suit you or are inappropriate. Glasses signify intelligence, so capitalise on this by choosing a pair that make you look serious and thoughtful. For both men and women, Clubmasters are a sure choice of ‘serious’ glasses. Popular in the fifties and sixties, think James Dean and Malcolm X, these timeless retro classics look great on both men and women.
Hair and hands
People notice our hair and they notice our hands. A hairstyle that obscures the face is distracting and unhelpful. Whatever your style, ensure that your hair is clean and tidy.
It’s not just women who need to take trouble with their manicure. You don’t want the only thing that your proposed business associate to remember about you to be the fact that your nails were dirty and untrimmed.
Accessories
Whether woman or man, keep it simple, keep it understated. Nothing about your appearance should serve as a distraction to what you are saying. Stud earrings, a pendant necklace, an understated watch and cuff links should be as far as you take accessories in business situations.
An appropriate bag
Don’t let yourself down by carrying a laptop and paperwork in some raggedy bag that you use for the gym. Get yourself a stylish satchel or messenger bag from a brand like Loewe that makes you look and feel the part.
