Dress for success: what to wear to your consulting job
No one wants to be under or overdressed on their first day as a consultant. Most people worry about what to wear to their consulting jobs far more than they’d publicly admit.
Because we know your outfit is causing you more low-key anxiety than you’d like to admit, we’ve created this handy dress for success guide so you can feel like the confident consultant you really are.
Go versatile
Most consulting firms aren’t expecting consultants to dress as formally as they once did. However, you never know when you might need to go to the client site at short notice or the Partner turns up unexpectedly.
Have a versatile outfit that you can quickly dress up or down so you’re never caught out with an unsuitable outfit.
Here’s some examples.
If you’re wearing a dress, bring a jacket with you but swap it for a cardigan once you’re in the office. Alternatively, swap the jacket for a jumper.
Simple adaptations but you’re always prepared.
Stick to neutral colours
Consultants typically wear neutral colours but this doesn’t mean you can’t bring your personality. Neutral with a splash of colour is a happy medium.
Picked fitted styles
Generally you should choose a fitted/tailored look for your consulting job. We hear through the grapevine that oversized clothes are back in fashion. That might look good on the catwalk but it has no place in the consulting corridors.
What about jeans?
Not all denim was created equal.
Don’t wear them on day one of your new consulting job but, as you get to know your project team, you might find that smart jeans are appropriate for wearing to your home office.
For jeans to be appropriate, they need to be a plain colour, fitted and no rips.
Attention to detail
Don’t forget these golden rules:
Iron clothing, polish shoes, tend to grooming
Accessories should be simple and subtle
Avoid bold logos or anything controversial
Read the room
You’ll need to adapt your style depending on a few factors:
Seniority - the more senior your audience (whether that’s client or internal), the more formal your attire
Mimic clients - dress to fit in with the client environment. If they dress up, do the same. If it’s dress down, likewise. You don’t want to stick out too much.
If in doubt, check with colleagues.
Dress with confidence!
Consulting attire is intended to project an air of confident professionalism.
However, don’t let this deter you from bringing your own flair into your outfit. Similarly, we’re not in the 1950s. If you’re a woman who doesn’t like wearing dresses that’s absolutely fine. There are plenty of smart outfits that female-identifying consultants can wear which don’t involve dresses.
If you stick to versatile outfits in plain colours with no loud and offensive logos you can’t go wrong.
