What to wear. Really.

[Casey101]

When you've landed your appointment, and you're going to meet your business client for the first time, what do you wear?

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but really, how do you present yourself?

Do you go for the "I'm a badass marketer who can crush it so I don't need to dress well." thing, or do you wear a polo shirt and jeans?

I usually do the 'nice shirt and jeans' thing, but am curious what works for you guys...

 

[No.RuleZ]

i like to wear a good suit

 

[Casey101]

i like to wear a good suit

Thanks for the reply! I was afraid people wouldn't take me seriously when I posted this question, but so much of what we do is image and body language. What kind of thing are you selling? Do you sell physical products, or web services, or would you wear the same thing no matter what you're selling?

 

[No.RuleZ]

im a man so if its business i must look good, the image is important, if i get there in jeans, perhaps the client will not take me serious

 

[Furious George]

I suppose you should start with gender specifics...

Certainly I wouldn't wear a dress if you're a man.

You can't ever go wrong with a grey or black suit, no matter what.

If you're a lady, you can't ever go wrong with a pantsuit... grey or black.

 

[GiorgioB]

What else than a suit? The question should be "should I wear a tie or not?". Unless your client is your local rapper with 50 groupie fans who wants you to do his wordpress site for $50, I would go for the suit. You can still look casual, charcoal suit with dark colored shirt (navy blue, burgundy, etc.), wear no tie.. its casual, but come on, you have to look professional.

 

[Casey101]

I suppose you should start with gender specifics...

Certainly I wouldn't wear a dress if you're a man.

You can't ever go wrong with a grey or black suit, no matter what.

If you're a lady, you can't ever go wrong with a pantsuit... grey or black.

Thanks for bringing that up, and thanks for the feedback! I didn't think to get specific with regards to gender.

 

[Casey101]

What else than a suit? The question should be "should I wear a tie or not?". Unless your client is your local rapper with 50 groupie fans who wants you to do his wordpress site for $50, I would go for the suit. You can still look casual, charcoal suit with dark colored shirt (navy blue, burgundy, etc.), wear no tie.. its casual, but come on, you have to look professional.

\

Haha, I loved the mental image of doing a local rapper's WP site. Gold. Pure gold.

I guess my concern was looking over-dressed. I can definitely imagine that wearing a suit would help with confidence though, which would be a huge plus-- of course, if you know you can deliver you wouldn't need that confidence boost anyway!

Thanks for the reply, and thanks for taking my question seriously.

 

[pnvhq]

Seriously. If they're important enough that you're calling them a business client, go with the suit. Even if it was some local gig, go with the suit. If it's your sister's friend who has a blog, maybe tone it down.

To me the suit conveys two things:
1. You're a professional. You take this seriously, and unless they're paying you with monopoly money it's fair to assume they do, too.
2. You're successful. Don't cross the line into flashiness, but a nice suit isn't cheap. At the very least buy something off the rack and get it tailored. It'll make you look good, feel good, and it'll leave an impression that you know how to make money.

 

[AR!ZONA]

Depends on the weather...
Here in AZ, during the summer, suits are biatch!

 

[Casey101]

Seriously. If they're important enough that you're calling them a business client, go with the suit. Even if it was some local gig, go with the suit. If it's your sister's friend who has a blog, maybe tone it down.

To me the suit conveys two things:
1. You're a professional. You take this seriously, and unless they're paying you with monopoly money it's fair to assume they do, too.
2. You're successful. Don't cross the line into flashiness, but a nice suit isn't cheap. At the very least buy something off the rack and get it tailored. It'll make you look good, feel good, and it'll leave an impression that you know how to make money.

Thanks for the feedback! Seeing as how not a SINGLE person has responded with any suggestion apart from a suite, I think it's safe to declare a hands-down winner.

Thanks guys, and good luck out there!

 

[antichrist]

Grey suit for sure!

 

[Furious George]

Be careful with the suit.... grey or black, white shirt, simple tie. Don't over do it, don't under do it.

 

[GiorgioB]

Be careful with the suit.... grey or black, white shirt, simple tie. Don't over do it, don't under do it.

Oh Furious George, you are so conventional.. I was thinking something like this to really stand out:

especially the shoes !! dwl

 

[Furious George]

You really can't go wrong with the double windsor.

Oh Furious George, you are so conventional.. I was thinking something like this to really stand out:

especially the shoes !! dwl

 

[Reyone]

I have done several business meetings in the past and many of them I was wearing suit pants, formal shirt and tie. Meetings were really successful.

Your look is part of your business, it is what you represent, so dress accordingly to whatever you want to represent. There are many variants to a suit and I would not always recommend a suit for all occasions.

Think of your age and your clients age, think of your clients gender and think of how the dressing code will affect the meeting. If you are meeting a young lad, suit pants, formal shoes and shirt might do the trick. Looking a TINY bit casual can also enhance your appearance. Not all businesses are dark and gray.

Of course, if you are going to have a meeting with some bigass players that are fucking loaded and are 50 years old I would not even think about it. Formal suit, formal shoes, tie and a nice black belt with your majestic black leather case.

I don't usually wear a full suit, don't wanna give a heart attack to the ladies out there.

 

[mickyfu]

Depends what clients you are going meeting, when I meet my clients, I go in leather gear.

 

[Casey101]

Depends what clients you are going meeting, when I meet my clients, I go in leather gear.

I wasn't sure there was a way to suggest a look that is classier than plaid, but I think you've done it sir. Very nice indeed!

 

[LakeForest]

Khakis. Jeans? Are we coal miners?

I do not take someone any more seriously if they're in a suit. Further, if your suit looks like an attempt to impress as opposed to being your natural demeanor, it will become a distraction.

Wear a sportcoat if you're going to a restaurant/bar at night. During the day, dress like you're going to br-lunch at a CC.

As for a tie, gauge the age of the person you're meeting. Older than 45: Wear a tie; they will appreciate it much more than a 30some.

Polos are not dressy, they are casual. If your client is a start-up, a polo may be acceptable. Actually, it's risky...Which is why it might work according to a situation...Like, if you're meeting a client in a casual setting(coffee?) and the weather has suddenly become much better than it was the past few days...then a polo is acceptable, you know? A polo really almost only fits in preliminary business meetings when this kind of luck is involved that makes the polo become an unconscious response of being relaxed/classy/confident as opposed to a polo as a planned outfit. Respectful "thoughtlessness" is always pleasant.

Dress the way that would inspire you if you are just meeting yourself.

Dress the way you'd like to look when being interviewed by the person you're going to meet is also a good way to go about things.

 

[Furious George]

Depends what clients you are going meeting, when I meet my clients, I go in leather gear.

Full leather is a good call