What to wear. Really.

[Casey101]

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.

This may be the perfect option because it's somewhere in the middle.

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

Haha, there's nothing like a good ol' fashioned heart attack to put a stop to even the most well-polished sales pitch!

 

[Cratos]

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...

Yeah definitely go for the suit. You need to look like a boss. You automatically earn more respect by being dressed formally. The females will automatically just bow down and worship you. They always show Cratos some love.

 

[GiorgioB]

Yeah definitely go for the suit. You need to look like a boss. You automatically earn more respect by being dressed formally. The females will automatically just bow down and worship you. They always show Cratos some love.

Ladies show GiorgioB respect and love even when I wear nothing (especially when I'm wearing nothing)

 

[mickyfu]

Full leather is a good call

I see you have been looking through my Facebook again George.

 

[AR!ZONA]

OP, why don't you post us a muscleteen style pic?
Then we can properly suit your attire

 

[GiorgioB]

OP, why don't you post us a muscleteen style pic?
Then we can properly suit your attire

Oh you are playing a dangerous game with that thread.. haha, that is truly the most epic and hilarious thread on BHW

 

[aka sam]

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.

+1 Man!

 

[TonySe]

100% suit, check out this page for outfit inspiration: suitsupply.com

Also some people say black suit. Please dont wear a black suit... it's either for funeral or dinner party.. but not for business meeting

 

[Arsis]

Honestly don't even worry about it, I close on the phone in my tighty whities... oh you mean real meetings? I've only done one face to face meeting, and just wore jeans and a casual collared shirt, they couldn't give 2 shits. I actually spoke to a guy with huge money that owns a lot of businesses, and he said if you drive up in a suit and a nice car he will tell you to gtfo. He feels if they are wasting money on clothes and car for their image, is he really the right guy for his company?

 

[Twixx]

I can't think of anything looking more professional than a grey suit.

 

[TheGreyMatter]

A suit would probably do the job as suggested by a lot of people above.

 

[Chizz]

A suit pants and shirt is fine, but get one that fits, and dos not look like its 4 sizes too big.(you still see them a lot)

^^ = NO GO ^^

 

[radarsurge]

Suits are stupid. Although I often wear suits, bow-ties, pocket squares and suade shoes on the weekend when I'm out at a lounge or with some high roller friends, business is business.

I wear a hoodie with jeans. Let me clarify, a nice form fitting hoodie that looks great (think ben sherman or ralph lauren) and great jeans.

All their other marketing suckers wear suits. I've sold 8K/month SEO packages to 100MM companies in a V-neck, jeans and a sweater vest. They want to see a smart young "Tech" guru walk in their office, play to that.

***Disclaimer - If you don't sound intelligent when you speak or if you don't know what you're talking about - wear a suit.... you'll need all the distraction from your experience / track record as you can get

 

[usdachoice]

When I interview a potential client I wear what I wear everyday, shorts and a t shirt. I don't want to give them the wrong impression that they will see me in a monkey suit every time we meet. That is why I got in this business so I could be myself and do what I want to do. That being said I am not hungry for more work or another boss. Every potential client I have met has come from word of mouth. Last year I had the luxury of firing all of my small clients to make time for bigger opportunities. I don't want to seem arrogant but this is what I have been working hard for to achieve. My goal is to have zero clients (bosses) so I can wear my skivies all day and look like a homeless person. I like the look on people's faces when I look like a bum and a few minutes after talking to me they realize I'm not. I think this puts people at ease but I also understand how looking professional has its obvious advantages too. To me they need to focus on what I will do for their business and not how I look. People that make those judgments are not the people I want to work with so I'm saving us both time.

 

[Griggs]

Dress to match what your prospect is wearing. You should know before going in to an appointment what kind of attire they wear. If they wear suits, wear a suit. If they wear polos and khakis, wear that. If they're covered in gease wearing blue jeans and a wife beater, wear a tshirt and jeans with a blazer or sports coat. Overdressing someone makes them feel uncomfortable and on edge.

 

[GuinnessMan]

Got into this business so I didn't have to conform with ridiculous vanity requirements. Wore a suit and tie for my old 9-5 for 8 years and ditched it for jeans, a nice t-shirt (untucked cause i'm not 70 goddamn years old) and comfortable shoes. I've had bank, doctor, and lawyer clients just the same. Never have I had a client not take a deal because I wasn't dressed like them and if they didn't and I wasn't aware of it...obviously I didn't notice.

Sure there are days you catch me in a suit. Those are the days I wake up unmotivated and tired. I wear the suit for me, not for some pretentious dolt who had a military dad growing up and feels the need to impress his dressing habits upon others because "that's just what people do".

If you have to ask the question then obviously a suit is not for you. Some people love a suit and love that GQ-metrosexual-model look every day; they don't have to ask.

Bottom line - wear clothes that fit you - shave your face - brush your teeth - take a shower and be confident. Sell the result, not how much money you spend on suits.

 

[Alinea]

The suit may be a little much depending on the business you're meeting. Even if you wear a suit, it doesn't matter if it looks like crap. I always see people wearing suits that don't fit so make sure it fits properly (slim suits look the best imo). In general I think you should dress at least similar or slightly better. If the prospect works in a suit, then definitely wear a suit, that's given. Otherwise, a suit is unnecessary. Some people would feel intimidated or cautious if you're too formal compared to them. Instead I would wear something more toned down like a regular cardigan or shawl cardigan. It still looks nice but it's more casual and comfortable for you and the prospect.

 

[carlikito]

Depends on the client and place of meeting.

If you're going to see a blue collar type business owner, don't wear a suit. Wear some nice pants, dress shirt and please polish your shoes.

If you're meeting a lawyer, accountant or a big shot at their office, wear a suit.

The thing to keep in mind is to mimic their behaviour and appearance so they can like you and hopefully do business with you.

 

[Justinmonk]

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...

Jeans and a polo - The trick for me is the color.

Light blue is a "Yes" friendly color.

Never wear red as it's a confrontational "No" color...

 

[sahilsxy29]

suit when it comes to big business else a regular jeans and shirt works for me..