You’ve got the education. You’ve got the skills. You’re trying to move up the corporate ladder.
Like it or not, when you are trying to work your way up to a promotion, doing your job exceptionally well may not be enough. How people perceive you may determine whether you are recognised or passed over.
Your choice of clothes can affect your chances of getting promoted. And it’s not just about wearing something fancy during the promotion interview. It may be how you dress at work every day.
But if you only have a few years tucked in your belt as a professional, a complete overhaul of your wardrobe is not only costly but also impractical. The better approach would be to systematically replace the pieces of clothing that no longer match who you currently are.
For this goal, consider going lean. This article can help you build a lean wardrobe, starting with understanding what it means and some practical steps you can take.
Lean, not minimalist
Some proponents of the minimalist lifestyle take pride in having the least amount of clothing. But with a lean wardrobe, your goal is to invest in a few versatile pieces that suit your current needs and are interchangeable.
The beauty of this approach to wardrobe building is that it can be applied to almost anyone, regardless of age, build, height, weight, or even budget.
It is also essential to know the difference between minimalist fashion and a lean wardrobe. Although there is some overlap between the two, they are not interchangeable.
Minimalist fashion focuses on simple clothing with clean lines and focus on essentials; a lean wardrobe includes versatile pieces that may or may not be considered minimalist. As long as the item matches your personal style and can work with multiple ensembles, you can include it in your lean wardrobe.
Remember: Building a lean wardrobe is all about optimising your apparel collection, not minimising it.
Some preliminaries
Before you begin browsing men’s fashion stores for more versatile replacements for what your wardrobe currently contains, there are a few essential things that you need to consider.
First, think about your workplace culture and industry. This will help you identify which pieces are most suitable for the professional environment you’re in and, ultimately, include in your wardrobe.
For example, if your company falls under a creative niche or industry, you can get away with more casual clothing. On the other hand, if you are in a more traditional corporate sector, you should invest in more formal pieces.
The next thing is your budget. Setting aside a fixed portion of your salary and allocating that for clothing is a good idea. Keep in mind that you do not have to buy all your clothing in one go.
The final thing that you should factor in when buying new clothes is the climate where you live. Ideally, choose pieces that will help you look and feel comfortable, especially if you spend a substantial amount of time travelling.
Setting up your wardrobe
When building your lean wardrobe, you just don’t buy several khaki pants in one go. Instead, you categorise the clothing you need into three tiers, just like a pyramid.
The foundational pieces, which serve as the base of your new wardrobe and consist mostly of timeless and versatile pieces, are at the bottom of your pyramid.
The middle tier consists of items that may not be as timeless or versatile as those found at the base of the pyramid. Nonetheless, clothes in this category are essential, although you may not wear them regularly.
Finally, the items you do not wear often go right at the top of the pyramid. These may include trendy and unique pieces.
Theory into practice
So, how does this pyramid work in practice?
If you work in an office, your pyramid’s base will consist of a navy suit, chinos, white shirts and classic professional accessories like branded watches for men. On the other hand, if you work in a more relaxed environment like a studio, your pyramid might consist of jeans and more casual shirts like Oxfords.
The middle tier should include pieces that complement those in the base. This will give you some leeway for play and experimentation, especially in colour and texture.
On the top tier, you can add statement pieces like a pocket square with bold prints.
One crucial thing to remember is that the closer you move to the upper tier, the less clothing you should add. The top tier should only contain a handful of items, most of which you wouldn’t wear daily.
A unique wardrobe
When building your wardrobe, you must also ensure it differs from others. It is alright to take inspiration from fashion magazines or someone you admire at work. However, you must still inject some of your personality into your clothing choices. After all, the way you choose to dress yourself is a reflection of your mood and identity.
To a large degree, your profession and your industry will dictate what goes to the base, middle, and upper tier of your wardrobe pyramid. However, the pieces in your base may belong to another man’s middle tier or vice versa.
Studies suggest that what you choose to wear also has a tangible effect on your psychological state and performance. If wearing a certain piece of clothing, like a blazer or a lab coat, can help you feel more confident or get more “in the zone,” then include that in your lean wardrobe.
Align Your Wardrobe with Your Professional Ambitions
Building a lean wardrobe goes beyond fashion; it’s about creating a collection that suits your professional goals and personal style. Focusing on versatile, quality pieces that reflect your industry and personality allows you to dress with confidence without overhauling your entire closet.
A lean wardrobe not only simplifies your daily choices but also aligns your outward appearance with your ambitions. Start small, invest wisely, and build a wardrobe that supports your path to success.
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