Gen Z and the Evolution of Professional Attire in the Age of Self-Representation

By Francesca “Frankie” Geissbühler, mentee at The Gents’ Foundation

The way someone dresses can impact their reputation, confidence, work habits, and even how well and efficiently they can accomplish tasks. Have you ever started getting ready for an event, and realized that you have no idea how fancy or casual you should be dressing, how you should wear your hair, or what is too much or too little? Developing professional attire habits during undergraduate years while working is important, and can be very helpful for one’s future professional career.

Professional attire plays a huge role in first impressions, confidence, and perceptions. For first impressions, there is power in an eye-catching, sharp, and sophisticated outfit. It is how one can make a great first impression without even uttering a word. 

There is truth in the saying: “if you look good, you feel good.” Think of attire as someone’s own personal branding. “That's the power of a rockstar professional outfit,” said Guichelet Louis, professional attire development mentor at The Gents’ Foundation (TGF), during a recent TGF workshop series on professional development at Trinity Washington University in collaboration with Carolina Canyon Co. When showing up to a professional space in an outfit that reflects how well one wants to do, there is a much higher chance of achieving those goals. “It's like your own personal cheat code for making a great first impression before you even say a word,” Louis added.  

For perceptions, attire at work or in professional spaces says many things about a person. Dressing professionally and according to the environment helps one practice building skills that set up for success, no matter where a task ends up being. For example, 94 percent of managers say that ways of dressing are important for candidates, a Robert Half survey found.  

One may ask: professional attire seems important, but what exactly does it look like? Standardly, ‘professional’ and ‘business-casual’ have always been the  two most common attire in the workplace. But today, the rules are changing; workplaces are becoming increasingly casual, with many businesses shifting from formal dress codes to business casual standards. Most U.S. workers wear casual clothes, with over 70% reporting their typical attire is either business casual at 41% or casual street clothes at 31%, a Gallup research found. 

Essentially, company culture will determine which one is the most appropriate to adopt. If that still sounds confusing, a good indicator of which dress code one should follow is how the boss or manager dresses for work. 

For students in school, it is recommended to wear neat jeans, cool button-up shirts, and shoes that are professional, but still comfortable. If dressing for an interview, look polished, put-together, and ready to impress. “Less is more, when it comes to this environment, so don’t overdo jewelry, makeup, or other accessories,” Louis argued. When it comes to dressing for a day-to-day job, maintain company culture while being comfortable — the types of clothes that let the body move and focus, but still have that sophisticated touch. 

Attire may seem like just something to protect against environmental risks, such as changing weather. However, the way one dresses truly makes or breaks how they can be seen as a person. Whether it is in a study-zone, workplace, interviewing for a job, or other professional environments, dressing appropriately will not only improve others’ impressions of you, it can also help you improve in your own work. Next time you find yourself dressing for an event, keep these tips in mind, and remember: your attire is your own personal brand. 

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Frankie is a mentee at The Gents’ Foundation, and a 10th-grade student. 

This professional development workshop series was hosted by Carolina Canyon Co, and led by The Gents’ Foundation. The 2-week training was supported by D.C. Government Agencies: Department of Employment Services (DOES), Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).