You might want to think twice before going to work in a casual outfit, because a new study has found a direct correlation between the clothes a worker wears and his or her level of productivity.
It's estimated that nearly one in four Americans work from home (telecommute). And when you work from home, you probably aren't required to follow a strict dress code. On the contrary, it's not uncommon for telecommuters to work in pajama pants and a t-shirt -- the same clothes they slept in the night prior. Even if no one else sees you, though, it can have a negative impact on your self-confidence and overall productivity.
Dr. Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, explained that people tend to absorb and adopt the characteristics of their attire. In other words, people who take the time to dress themselves properly (e.g. suit, tie and polished shoes) will have a greater level of professionalism than people who dress in casual, everyday attire. Whether you work in the office or at home, you should put forth the effort to properly dress yourself, because your attire will affect both your self-image and your level of productivity.
"When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with that garment. A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it’s ‘professional work attire’ or ‘relaxing weekend wear’, so when we put it on we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning," said Dr. Karen Pine. "The influence of clothes thus depends on wearing them and their symbolic meaning. This theory supports the notion that we would stay more focused when wearing work clothes, and may be more cognitively alert than if we dressed down."
A study conducted by researchers at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University reinforced this belief. The research team, led by Adam Galinsky and Hajo Adam, found that medical professionals who wore lab coats scored higher on tests compared to their casually dressed counterparts.
So, what should you take away from this post? The bottom line is that your clothes tell a story about who you are and what you do. If you want the world to perceive you as being a serious professional, your outfit should reflect it. A well-made suit and tie with the right accessories can make a world of difference in your appearance and how you feel.
Do you feel more confident when wearing a suit?
