Dressing for Success Tara DeglInnocenti Libby Larsen Dressing

Dressing for Success Tara Degl’Innocenti Libby Larsen

Dressing for Failure • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=b 2 f 2 Kqt_ Kc. E

Needs Analysis • Online survey consisting of agree or disagree statements. • Sample statements: – Everything you put on communicates something. – People often associate knowledge and capability with appearance. • Findings: 81% of students responded with answers that did not support dressing for success.

Objectives 1. Define the concepts of dressing for a business professional setting and casual setting. 2. Analyze the influence of appearance on workplace relationships and performance. 3. Identify appropriate attire for each setting.

TASK ANALYSIS: Business Casual Vs. Business Professional • Business Professional – – Full matching suit in black, navy, or dark gray. – Dress shirt coordinated with suit. – Men: polished, black leather shoes. – Women: Heels of 1 or 2 inches or less; closed toe. • Business Casual – – “Khaki or solid colored pants. – Dress shirts can have color and pattern. – Coordinate socks and shoes to attire.

METHOD: Business Casual Vs. Business Professional • Pass out the following infographic to each student: – http: //www. rasmussen. edu/studentlife/blogs/main/what-to-wear-to-an-interview/ • Have the students discuss in groups what they found interesting or shocking about the article. – At the end, discuss some common mistakes that recent college graduates tend to make when dressing for their job.

TASK ANALYSIS: Influence of Appearance • “Dress changes the manners” – Voltaire • Understand that people associate knowledge, capability, level of success, and level of sophistication with appearance. • Keep in mind that everything you put on communicates something. – Your image is either working for you or hurting you.

METHOD: Influence of Appearance • Moment of Truth Activity: – Have the students break off into pairs. – The students will take turns revealing their first impressions of each other based on their appearance. • Remind the students that this exercise is meant to help each other! • At the end, have the students reflect and react to the experience.

TASK ANALYSIS: Identify Appropriate Attire • Observe the attire of others in your work environment. • Start to shop at new department stores that sell products that are similar to the norms in your work environment. • Some department stores offer style guides online. • If you are unsure about an outfit just ask others what they think!

METHOD: Identify Appropriate Attire • Pass out different pictures of different professionals to each group. – Some pictures will be of poorly dressed individuals. – Some pictures will be of people dressed for success! • Break off into pairs and decide if the people in the pictures are dressed for success. Explain your reasoning.

ASSESSMENT • Shop for Success Assessment – Each table will be a specific store. – At each table there will be pictures of products that are currently for sale at that store. – Every student will be given specific job scenarios and then asked to go shopping for an outfit that fits that career.

Resources • Online survey of agree and disagree statements for needs assessments. • Youtube Video • Infographic • Pictures of individuals in different attire for activities and assessment.