HOW TOP CEO S DRESS

In my time creating tailored clothing for successful CEOs, I’ve noticed that they share a common ability to communicate their personal story effectively, and relay their company messages to others in a persuasive and confident manner. They know who they are and what they do, and can quickly make people believe in them.

Dressing for the job

Most CEOs admit that dressing for the job they wanted and the life they desired was an important skill they learned to pay attention to. They understand that it has the power to influence how others perceive and remember them. As very few of us are born with natural style, many CEOs realise that the right professional advice goes a long way towards simplifying the styling process. It helps guide them through the unwritten rules of today’s ever changing dress codes.

Creating a personal style

Creating a balanced and workable wardrobe takes a little practice, and there’s no one better practiced than a Savile Row tailor. They’re experts in cloth, style and cut, and will immediately, almost instinctively, know what will look good on a client. They’ll also be able to communicate this clearly when required. Good bespoke tailors are kept so busy not just for their ability to craft great clothing, but for their insight and practiced eye -- they often know what people want before they do. Then, some gentle probing to uncover the client’s real needs allows them to make recommendations and meet their brief in a timely, and of course cost effective way.

Mirroring environments

Knowing their environment and what is expected of them day to day is the key to creating a strong personal look. It demonstrates to others that they have understood the importance of dressing appropriately -- it builds respect, empathy, and trust. There are big differences between working in the fields of finance, technology or for a design company, so appropriate sartorial planning with some skilled help is often required. Knowing the basics of what to wear and when is important as they know this gives them freedom to expand their horizons and budget accordingly. Being honest with oneself and recognising the changes they need to make is a key element in achieving one’s daily goals. Dressing for work is no different.

The devil in the detail

Most of us can recall a time in our professional lives where we’ve been summoned, or even cornered, by the boss. Perhaps there was an oversight in the detail of your work, perhaps you didn’t give quite enough consideration to an important pitch or proposal. Now here you are, feeling exposed, worrying if your shoes are polished enough, if your tie is straight and if your suit is the right fit -- in short, worrying if your appearance is creating a less than stellar impression of you. If only we’d had the foresight to see that the way we dress and look is an opportunity to impress! Often, the ambitious are able to turn these situations in their favour as they know the value of investing in every aspect of themselves. Leaving nothing to chance, they dress with care, paying attention to the smallest detail so when they are summoned to the boardroom they look as if they already belong there.

Knowing how to accessorise

Knowing how to avoid looking like a bank manager or an untrustworthy politician is desirable if you are to impress, influence, and win friends. Pairing an impeccably cut Savile Row bespoke suit with a tennis top or a pair of crocodile loafers is going to do more harm than good after all. We mentioned unwritten dress codes already -- knowing how to navigate these goes a long way in helping any aspiring executive prepare for his push to become the next company CEO. Understanding the power of a well cut suit is important; however, accessorising it with an impeccable shirt is equally important. It can elevate the suit to a higher plain and allow you to better express your personality. Buying a few pairs of quality shoes is a sound investment too. They’re often overlooked by junior executives who don’t realise the importance of a well-polished shoe in completing any outfit.

Buying quality, not quantity

Many of our customers have quickly realised the benefits of bespoke clothing, and they now see it as an investment in themselves and their wardrobe, adding tremendous value to how they look and feel as a person. The good news does not stop here either, as an experienced tailor can save you a great deal of time and ensure you make smarter choices when spending your