Maybe you should dress casual on Thursdays, too.

And Mondays might work…



Actually, I’m not a fan of “dressing the part”.  I think the
"real" look works best, at least in my world.  I personally feel
phony when I where a suit.  Actually I have a motto that I can’t
say here for confidentiality purposes that addresses this.



If a client chooses a FA due to what he/she wears… God help them.

You don't wear a suit to impress yourself or your client.  The suit is an outward sign of respect for the client, and the task they may entrust to you--that is, taking care of their life savings.  It's the same reason that you wear a suit to a wedding, funeral, or an Easter church service.  It's about respect.  Wear it every day.  Even Friday.  If yours is not comfortable, find a new tailor. 

Yesterday it was close to 100 degrees in my market.  I had two high level appointments.  One was in the office, the other out of the office.  I put in a 13 hour day, and felt comfortable the entire time.  Quit buying cheap polyester suits, and then you won't be uncomfortable, and neither will your clients.

[quote=Soothsayer]

You don't wear a suit to impress yourself or your client.  The suit is an outward sign of respect for the client, and the task they may entrust to you--that is, taking care of their life savings.  It's the same reason that you wear a suit to a wedding, funeral, or an Easter church service.  It's about respect.  Wear it every day.  Even Friday.  If yours is not comfortable, find a new tailor. 

Yesterday it was close to 100 degrees in my market.  I had two high level appointments.  One was in the office, the other out of the office.  I put in a 13 hour day, and felt comfortable the entire time.  Quit buying cheap polyester suits, and then you won't be uncomfortable, and neither will your clients.

[/quote]

What he said.

[quote=Ready2Jump]And Mondays might work...

Actually, I'm not a fan of "dressing the part".  I think the "real" look works best, at least in my world.  I personally feel phony when I where a suit.  Actually I have a motto that I can't say here for confidentiality purposes that addresses this.

If a client chooses a FA due to what he/she wears... God help them.

[/quote]

A serious question.  How old are you and what type of market do you serve--rural, small town, etc?  What is a state that borders yours?

Sooth is right. Dressing for the seriousness of the occasion whichis handling people's life savings.  I wear either dresses, skirt and jacket combo or pants suit types of outfits. Fabrics that won't wrinkle like rayon or silk blends and a fabric brush at hand to get rid of any dust, cat hair or other fluff. Heels and nylons at all times and tastefully expensive jewelry.  Not bling. Understated make up in neutral colors. It was also over 105 degrees here too...nylons in that heat....ick.  But it must be done.

The only time I dress down is when I go golfing and even then I wear a matching outfit and hat. No jeans or cut offs or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. 

It is important to look tastefully dressed even when going to the grocery store.  You never know when you are going to run into a client or a prospect. 

Now at home, that's another story.  Bring on the khaki shorts,tank tops and flip flops!!!

[quote=babbling looney]

"...or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. "

[/quote]

I agree completely, except the above. What's the issue with polo shirts?

[quote=mikebutler222][quote=babbling looney]

"...or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. "

[/quote]

I agree completely, except the above. What's the issue with polo shirts?

[/quote]

We in our office don like em.  Plus when the vendors show up with them as booby prizes for listening to the schpiel, they are always men-sizes.  Might as well take it home to the hubby for him to wear & advertise on golf course since rep and I don't play.

We second what Babs says about dressing. Suits n heels / dresses n heels. We do casual Friday's because we close at 1pm, but clients know that and usual don't even bother to come in. But casual is capri's and blouses twin sets etc.

[quote=mikebutler222][quote=babbling looney]

"...or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. "

[/quote]

I agree completely, except the above. What's the issue with polo shirts?

[/quote]

They don't suit my figure and I hate the collars.  Shall we just say they bring too much emphasis to the upper part of my body

How bout the suits those annuity wholesalers wear!!!!! Who are they kidding.  Like $1000 a pop. 

Even my wealthiest clients do not wear suits like that.

I think a nice, well made suit fits most business meetings.  But, you have to be able to make your client feel comfortable (and not like they are underdressed).

[quote=babbling looney]

Sooth is right. Dressing for the seriousness of the occasion whichis handling people's life savings.  I wear either dresses, skirt and jacket combo or pants suit types of outfits. Fabrics that won't wrinkle like rayon or silk blends and a fabric brush at hand to get rid of any dust, cat hair or other fluff. Heels and nylons at all times and tastefully expensive jewelry.  Not bling. Understated make up in neutral colors. It was also over 105 degrees here too...nylons in that heat....ick.  But it must be done.

The only time I dress down is when I go golfing and even then I wear a matching outfit and hat. No jeans or cut offs or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. 

It is important to look tastefully dressed even when going to the grocery store.  You never know when you are going to run into a client or a prospect. 

Now at home, that's another story.  Bring on the khaki shorts,tank tops and flip flops!!!

[/quote]

Agreed.

But, don't you hate it when you run out of milk and just pop to the store in sweats and a ponytail.  It stinks!!! You always see a great client or prospect.

FAs are human too.  (or most of us)

t

[quote=maybeeeeeeee]

How bout the suits those annuity wholesalers wear!!!!! Who are they kidding.  Like $1000 a pop. 

Even my wealthiest clients do not wear suits like that.

I think a nice, well made suit fits most business meetings.  But, you have to be able to make your client feel comfortable (and not like they are underdressed).

[/quote]

Our VK vendor borrowed his dad's suit. (like 2 times his size) He's got a set of ears on him like a cab drivin down the street with the doors open. Was ALL excited to talk about VK. Rep had to laugh....poor kid had NO idea why.

We've secretly dubbed him Curious George now.

[quote=maybeeeeeeee][quote=babbling looney]

Sooth is right. Dressing for the seriousness of the occasion whichis handling people's life savings.  I wear either dresses, skirt and jacket combo or pants suit types of outfits. Fabrics that won't wrinkle like rayon or silk blends and a fabric brush at hand to get rid of any dust, cat hair or other fluff. Heels and nylons at all times and tastefully expensive jewelry.  Not bling. Understated make up in neutral colors. It was also over 105 degrees here too...nylons in that heat....ick.  But it must be done.

The only time I dress down is when I go golfing and even then I wear a matching outfit and hat. No jeans or cut offs or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. 

It is important to look tastefully dressed even when going to the grocery store.  You never know when you are going to run into a client or a prospect. 

Now at home, that's another story.  Bring on the khaki shorts,tank tops and flip flops!!!

[/quote]

Agreed.

But, don't you hate it when you run out of milk and just pop to the store in sweats and a ponytail.  It stinks!!! You always see a great client or prospect.

FAs are human too.  (or most of us)

t

[/quote]

LOL ....It never fails!!!  If I leave off from gardening or painting and go to the store for "just a sec" in my grubbies, THAT"S when I see a good client or prospect.   That's also why I press gang my husband to go to the store for those quick trips.  No one cares how he dresses, including him.

[quote=babbling looney][quote=mikebutler222][quote=babbling looney]

"...or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. "

[/quote]

I agree completely, except the above. What's the issue with polo shirts?

[/quote]

They don't suit my figure and I hate the collars.  Shall we just say they bring too much emphasis to the upper part of my body

[/quote]

"too much emphasis"? There's no such thing 

[quote=Devoted SA][quote=mikebutler222][quote=babbling looney]

"...or ever ever ever a polo shirt in public for me as a woman. "

[/quote]

I agree completely, except the above. What's the issue with polo shirts?

[/quote]

We in our office don like em.

[/quote]

I didn't mean in the office. BL has said "ever in public", but thanks for the input.

I’m sorry -I meant as a consensus. In the office/out of the office.

[/quote]

LOL ....It never fails!!!  If I leave off from gardening or painting and go to the store for "just a sec" in my grubbies, THAT"S when I see a good client or prospect.   That's also why I press gang my husband to go to the store for those quick trips.  No one cares how he dresses, including him.

[/quote]

How about running into client at a bar or restaurant - I've been dressed....but toasting Pancho Villa for Cinco De Mayo at the bar or stuffing your face and client wanders in?  Have to choke down bite of whatever you just shoveled in to stand up shake hands say hello etc.

[quote=Devoted SA]I'm sorry -I meant as a consensus. In the office/out of the office.[/quote]

Well, I agree they're not office wear, but out of the office I think they look smart on most women.

[quote=maybeeeeeeee]

How bout the suits those annuity wholesalers wear!!!!! Who are they kidding.  Like $1000 a pop. 

Even my wealthiest clients do not wear suits like that.

I think a nice, well made suit fits most business meetings.  But, you have to be able to make your client feel comfortable (and not like they are underdressed).

[/quote]

I've never noticed that wholesalers wear expensive suits, but I have noticed some wear suits that are too "contemporary" in their styling.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />