Dressing the part as a web designer
Yesterday at BNI, I walked in to a lot of compliments. I was dressed like I was in the downtown corporate workforce. Classic grey slacks, black blouse and sandals (it was hot here yesterday). I was just missing high heels (because I can’t walk in them anymore). This was not my normal, casual coffee shop attire. I had a training meeting with a forensic psychiatrist’s staff in a downtown high rise. They had hired me online without meeting me first. This was my first in person impression and I wanted it to be a good one.
In BNI, I would say I’m always in office casual or jeans day attire. When I first started attending BNI, I really had to up my game. My wardrobe had become all athleisure and I really only had a couple outfits worthy of a client appointment. At some point, I had stopped shopping because I was always going to lose 20 pounds and just felt bad about spending money on clothes again. After all, I had worked in corporate retail in my career days and had a closet filled with great dresses, heels, and 40% off employee discount must haves. I had a great little eBay business for a bit when I finally unloaded it all.
As I sit and type this I’m in yoga pants, a jogging tank and hoodie. This is my office attire when I don’t have a meeting to go to. After all, it’s Tank and I and I’ll be walking him at some point in the day. It’s comfortable to sit in and I’m less likely to skip exercising if I’m dressed for it.
Just because you work from home as a freelancer doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a great wardrobe. In fact, because you are a freelancer, you get to have the freedom to dress the part for any client or meeting you have. If I walked into my longtime client’s equipment rental company in my downtown attire, I would feel overdressed. I’d rather go there in work casual clothes. If I’m showing up for a coffee networking meeting for BNI and it’s early in the morning, I will show up in the athleisure clothes I’m about to walk in. Bottom line, I can make the call based on the person, company and circumstances.
Here are some tips to help you get a flexible wardrobe for your needs as a web design freelancer:
- If you feel stuck in a rut with your wardrobe (this goes for men, too) consider meeting with a stylist. My dear friend and fellow BNI member, Wendy Petersen, did a closet clean out with me a few years back. Style by Wendy‘s motto is “if your clothes aren’t becoming of you, you should be coming to me”. I call her a wardrobe therapist because she helps people deal with so much more than clothing options. She stresses the confidence boost you get by dressing for success.
- Sign up for a clothing service like StitchFix (for women and men) or LeTote. I have been using LeTote for a couple of years now. I put in my measurements and pick 4 items to be shipped to me. These items are not new with tags, but start new in the process, are washed and cleaned with each transfer to the customer and available to purchase if you like them. Anything too worn is removed from rotation. This might not be for everyone and they do have a new with tags higher priced option. I’m paying $75 a month. I just love it. Who has time to shop if you are hustling work all the time?
- Don’t forget about your shoes. This was also something I neglected. Make sure your shoes aren’t totally scuffed up. A nice pair of boots, flats or even sneakers will compliment your outfit show you have attention to detail. When they get worn, toss or give away.
- Finally, your computer bag. Whatever you choose to use, make sure it’s neat and tidy when you open it. I have a great bag from Brenthaven that works wherever I go.
I hope this helps you realize that even though you might work from home and/or run an online web design business that doesn’t mean that you need to work in your pjs and feel stressed before every in person meeting you have. A little planning, maybe even a little pampering, is well deserved and will help you feel more confident in selling your services.
RESOURCES: As a LeTote member, I can send a free tote to you if you’d like to try it! GET A FREE TOTE!
