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Evolving Your Professional Wardrobe Alongside Your Career

By Carrie Kirkman, President, Jones Group Canada

It’s true in both life and style that one size doesn’t fit all. As the inspiring women showcased and celebrated in the pages of Women of Influence often show, success doesn’t come from following a simple or singular formula. Indeed, our individual definitions of success can be wildly different.

What’s more, the path to discovering your own definition of success—and to achieving that goal—is rarely a straight line. Many of us explore different paths before finding the one we’re meant to be on. Some of us may even abandon the path altogether and get lost for a little while. My message is a positive one: While there’s wisdom and inspiration to lean on, there are no hard-and-fast rules.

The message for dressing the part is similar: There’s no single uniform, no simple formula for style success. You can define how you want to embody your own personal and professional brand.

When you’re making a decision about how to start, evolve or reinvent your career, consider how your wardrobe is a reflection of your personal brand and how it can help build or reflect your inner confidence. Dressing the part is key to helping you find your personal path and stride confidently down it.

emerging career style

In the early days of my career, I represented the designer Alfred Sung.

I was exposed at a young age to tasteful, beautifully designed clothes and luxurious fabrics. This job allowed me access to clothing that was far above what my income at that time allowed.

When you’re starting out in your career, find a way of dressing for work that feels authentically “you,” while also projecting a strong and professional personal brand. This can be achieved by finding a balance of personality pieces that fit your individual aesthetic (a bold colour, geometric pattern or animal print, for example), but grounding these pieces with sophisticated and neutral basics (a well-cut black dress, a flattering pair of black dress pants, and beautifully cut black jacket).

Screen Shot 2013-11-21 at 3.31.58 AMevolving career style

As my career progressed, I was lucky enough to be able to indulge my love of beautiful design and luxury fabrics through many beloved designers. I always appreciated the power and confidence that being well dressed afforded!

Regardless of where I was in my career, I had a love affair with black, and have been drawn to strong, sophisticated clothes that are tailored, easy to wear and provide confidence. In fact, these qualities are among the reasons I have genuinely connected with the Jones New York brand.

Your wardrobe not only speaks to who you are now, but who you want to become—in particular what job you want next. It’s an old adage to dress for the job you want rather than the one you have. This will help your superiors and peers perceive you as being ready and able for that next role.

reinventing your career style

When you change careers, or your career takes you down an unplanned path, you may find that your confidence takes a hard knock and this can make you lose interest in dressing the part. This is really the time to rally; your presentation can help you regain both emotional and professional confidence, to redefine your path and get back on track. Style is often thought of as secondary to knowledge and skill. But how you dress is one way you silently communicate with the world, and how you dress is an extension of everything you project in the workplace.


With over 25 years experience, Carrie Kirkman strives to be a mentor to other women who are looking to achieve success in their individual professions. Follow Carrie on Twitter @CarrieKirkman. All clothing featured is from the Jones New York fall/winter 2013 campaign. Jones New York is available at Hudson’s Bay across Canada.