What to Wear as a Male Business Owner?

Clothing is a powerful form of non-verbal communication, especially in a business setting. As an entrepreneur, your appearance can speak volumes about your credibility and authority. But, what exactly makes an outfit look professional? Here are some useful tips for male business owners:

Alignment with your brand and industry

Now, what is appropriate to wear in a business setting should be based on your company culture. Your attire should feel authentic to you and your brand identity. For instance, formal attire for men, including a tailored suit and tie, is common in the finance world. Creative industries, like marketing agencies or a tech startup, tend to be more laid-back with their attire, with jeans and a jumper being a common choice. In a sports organisation, wearing athleisure outfits or uniforms is also on-brand (if anything, a suit would look odd in such a scenario). Therefore, you must really think about your industry and brand, aligning your clothing choices with it.

Versatile entrepreneurial wardrobe items

For most entrepreneurs, however, a smart casual wardrobe is most appropriate. Every male business owner should have a decent selection of button-up shirts. These can be in classic white and blue or, perhaps, any colours that are associated with your brand. Subtle patterns are also fine, adding a bit of personality to the outfit. 

For trousers, invest in both quality chinos and some classic dress pants for when a more formal look is needed. Neutral tones, like khaki, navy, grey, black, are the easiest to style. Chinos also work very well in combination with a nice sweatshirt on the colder days (with or without a shirt underneath). Having a well-tailored suit jacket in a versatile navy or charcoal is also a good idea, as it can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Furthermore, footwear has a major impact on the overall look. Polished leather loafers or classic oxfords are excellent choices that can bridge formal with casual seamlessly. Although smart casual looks can also be paired with trainers, as long as they are clean, tidy and not overly “sporty”. 

The importance of fit and grooming

The clothes you wear are important, however, they’re not what makes you look professional and put together. It’s how well they fit and how well groomed you look. For example, a sweater that is way too big or a creased shirt looks messy. Even worse, dirty clothes with stains or holes certainly don’t make you look professional or trustworthy. 

Similarly, personal grooming is also crucial. This includes a neat haircut, a looked-after beard, tidy fingernails and a clean face (no crust or gunk that makes you look like you’ve just woken up). Aftershave is a nice touch too.

Dress for success

No matter how great you are as a business owner, how you present yourself can affect how people view it. Your team and, more importantly, your clients want to see someone who looks professional and trustworthy. After all, first impressions are incredibly important in both personal and work relationships.

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