-
Dressing For Work
How do signmakers dress for work?
Shane mentioned recently that he has adopted a "uniform" and this helps to sell his business. Similarly I was struck today at how much "Authority" someone has when dressed in Uniform (I met with an SSPCA official today dressed in uniform who as a result I believe commanded my respect).
When I first started my business I used to wear a shirt and tie to meet with clients. Nowadays I wear a sweatshirt and black jeans everyday and wonder if this sends out the wrong sort of message to my prospects.
On Television yesterday there was a TV satire called the "Armstrongs" in which a couple entering the sign business decided to spend £1000’s of pounds in clothing to spruce up the owners image. This was all tongue in cheek of course – but how important is it to dress for your work.
I have often heard you should dress in a similar way to your clients. My typical customers are self employed plumbers and electricians and are likely to dress in Jeans and sweatshirts like myself.
I just wondered what others do?
-
28 Replies
-
good question phil 😀
i used to go dressed to work everyday when i had staff, only because i was out meeting people….but now its the t-shirt and jeans (if i find a pair that fits) 😀
im away to vamp up my working wardrobe again like yourself colour co-ordinate tops with company logo might as well walk about with the advertising when in tescos 😉
nik
-
Hi Phil,
my girls & i wear a uniform so we all dress the same (no mini skirts, i tried) they said they would wear them if i did.
anyway you don’t give the option of uniforms!L J
-
usually jeans and t shirt for me, unless visiting a client, often then it’ll be a shirt with smart jeans, hate the formal look, been there…
though i do have a couple of hoodies and t’s with my company name on, so i’ll often wear them and just excuse myself as having been on a job when i arrive ! better they think i’m busy than having time to ponse about getting ready !
-
if we can just get back to the question at hand here for a minutes you lot 🙄 , I have found uniforms are good because;
a) you have a standard of dress everyday,
b) you get tax breaks here :lol1:
c) you have an identity on work sites that make you stand out from the rest
d) it gives you the impression that you are a professional in your trade
e) in an industry that is full of ‘cowboys’ I think a good 1st impression is important.I had an experience the other day when I didn’t have my uniform on, but my dad did. People all day onsite spoke to my father and treated me as the off sider. I think the uniform does give you a perception of authority.
Mum dad and I all wear uniforms, especially if we go on site.
-
I carry my own light in front of which to stand. 😮
-
im kinda dark black jeans with button shirt myself
😎 -
i agree shane, seems odd, but more people stop to ask me for a card, or details when i’m working, than the did before i had my named work wear,
-
I might just point out that my uniform is black trousers or shorts, not jeans like in my avatar pic. 🙄
Just thought I’d clarify that 😕
-
oh yeah never though of that . the pic shows yes is that ur van Shane?
-
I got uniforms for myself last year and it does make a difference, I found.
It may be sad, but we all judge – "to an extent"- on looks.I wear black dickies pants/ shorts. and white t shirts with my logo on the left chest.
My wife recently started working in the shop with me and she wears whatever she wants…. for now.
steve
-
I have a uniform as well. I think it’s very important to have a good first impression.
Example:
I met up with a client the other day that was going to do some CNC routing for us that we couldn’t handle. He showed up in blue jeans and a t-shirt. I wasn’t very impressed.
I went to his work later that week to see his new 5 axis 12’x12′ router and he was wearing a nice uniform. I thought to myself how professional his appearance was compared to what I saw earlier that week.
-Marek -
quote wannousnancy:oh yeah never though of that . the pic shows yes is that ur van Shane?
Yes Nancy, as soon as I start getting my knee to work so I can kneel down, I’ll sign the darn thing. 👿
-
I work in PJs so often that one of my best clients bought me a leopard-skin pair.
When going out on estimates, I dress like the power bitch from Hell, seems to work well for me.
When painting walls I dress real artsy.
Love….Jill -
if i got dressed up no one would no who i am……
i hunted for a shirt for my photo.. -
Right now I’m wearing black PJ’s…….. but that’s because it takes me a while reach the land of the living in the morning! 9/10 I start work still in my PJ’s but by 10am I’m showered and changed. Usually jeans/trousers & sweater (too cold her yet for T-shirts!).
When I go out to see customers, I just ditch the jeans, brush my hair and add a bit of lip gloss!
Ooohh … just read that last sentence, must clarify…. I ditch the jeans for smarter trousers ….. the hair I comb is on my head …… the less said about lipgloss the better…… 😳 -
Steve sort of has uniform/company image outfits … its supposed to be … black cargo/fitters type trousers … you know the ones with all the hidden pockets etc to keep all his tools and bits in, with a purple polo top or sweater depending how cold it is. He started off well …… but if we are not expecting anyone in he usually just sticks with jeans and the polo. If he is going out to a more up market client … shirt and tie job.
Me ….. I just grab whats cleanest and doesnt have too much kid splatter on it :lol1: Ok not quite true. It depends what jobs we have on or if we are expecting a certian client etc. Most of the time its jeans, long sleeve top, casual look as I do sometimes like to get my hands dirty and make something ….. you cant really do that in comfort when you are wearing a tight short skirt can you ….. but then again I never wear tight short skirts … Im just not a girly girly girl … I like my trousers!!
:lol1:
Im having a babble day today …. !! :rabble: :rabble:
edit: Oh and like Marcella aka as burn 4rse… I dont wear make up and if someone is due in on goes the lip gloss or lipstick …. :lol1: Plus I already stated in another thread what Steve really likes to wear for work … tight pvc :lol1:
-
Dress is one of the most important ways of getting people to take you and your staff seriously. Clothes have a language, and what they say about you will have a direct impact on your success in business and beyond.
Sounds a bit deep this time of night but I think it instills confidence in the customer if you and your staff are smartly dressed, I don’t mean shirt and tie because that sort of dress code really puts me off.
I have even experienced a boss offering £10 per week extra if the male staff were to shave every day.
What we and our staff think of as fashion, to some people is laziness and tardiness.Just my point of view
Ps I wear a plain shirt no tie and a pair of jeans most days. -
don’t all men shave every day 🙄 I thought that was a bloke thing like we girls hang around for a while in dressing gowns and PJ’s saying yes ok I said yes ok getting there 😎 more coffee 😀
Lynn
-
HI all,
but that’s because it takes me a while reach the land of the living in the morning! 9/10 I start work still in my PJ’s but by 10am I’m showered and change
Marcella, i cant say which supplier (Not Us) told me the drivers used to try and deliver early to you , now i know why !!!!!! -
Lol! Never even thought about it.
We all have beards. Even the new lad (17) has been instructed to grow a beard. To be honest he’s started to look a little like catweasel.Splatt
-
quote Lynn:don’t all men shave every day 🙄 I thought that was a bloke thing like we girls hang around for a while in dressing gowns and PJ’s saying yes ok I said yes ok getting there 😎 more coffee 😀
Lynn
Lynn, It takes me 3 months to grow a mustache. I can go a few days without shaving. Same goes with showers. :lol1: 😉
-Marek -
didn’t know you were that young Marek not sure about the delay between showers though (?)
Lynn
-
quote Cammy:Marcella, i cant say which supplier (Not Us) told me the drivers used to try and deliver early to you , now i know why !!!!!!
:lol1: Obviously a driver who likes to live dangerously …. poor bugger will be mentally scarred for life. He’ll be curled up in a padded cell a quivering wreck after seeing me without a shower. 😮
-
quote Lynn:didn’t know you were that young Marek not sure about the delay between showers though (?)
Lynn
Lynn, I’m 46 and it takes me over 2 months before a mustache goes from looking like a dirty top lip to a bit of growth. And then tha darn thing is grey 🙁
Trouble is the wife starts nagging to have a shave at about week two, so by the 8th week it comes of anyway to get some peace! 😕
… and for the record, I shower twice a day 😳
-
For most customers I usually wear my painting overalls. In my industry I am sure it helps to go looking like the man who actually does the job rather than the man who tells someone else to do it. Having said that, if visiting a big company, I would wear a suit and tie. So it depends entirely upon the customer, and I try to dress to be the person they feel most comfortable dealing with….psychology eh!
David
-
I wear levis and black tee shirts when im dealing with clients – when i’m working i wear old levis with paint on them, and faded washed out black tee shirts-also with paint on them – i suppose it’s what you feel comfortable in – plus adidas trainers (old school 70s style) but cat boots in winter…. but i’ve worn the same style of clothes since i was 16…..is that another topic?
-
I am trying to smarten up these days… but i still look scruffy
-
It has to be jeans and polo for me also, only because my customer base virtually dress the same!! 😉
If i got a call to see a client in a office environment then it would be smart casual dress, black jeans shirt and smart jacket/blazer.
Thinking of having some polo shirts made with our company name on when we are out fitting though!
Sean
Log in to reply.
