Fake it to make it – How confidence can boost your career

It’s probably not earth-shattering news, but a new study has underlined the assertion that confidence is key to professional success.

‘What would Madonna/Beyonce/Taylor Swift do’ is a winning tactic here at PA Life, but the impact on style on career development is the focus of the research by personal styling service Trunk Club.

The study found that feeling confident is the number one step to getting ahead in your career and how a person dresses is one of the top six factors for career success.
When asked what colors make them feel most confident, respondents reported black made them feel most confident, with blue, red, white, and navy rounding out the top five colours.

“Feeling comfortable in your clothing is a simple and easy way to boost your confidence at work,” says Linda Bartman, chief operating officer of Trunk Club. “We found that nearly 60 percent of people have a go-to outfit that boosts their confidence for a big day in the office.

“When you’re in a well-fitting and flattering outfit, you can’t help but feel capable, and that confidence is apparent to those you work with.”

Many of those surveyed shared that they use their workwear to help them get ahead- nine in 10 follow the adage about dressing for the job that they want to have.
For those looking to climb the corporate ladder to success, over half (55 per cent) have evolved the way they dress to help them appear more professional or get ahead in their careers.

And it comes as no surprise that nearly half (48 per cent) say they dress more professionally as they progress in their career.

So, which specific clothing items make people feel more confident and successful at work? Blazers, dresses, and silk blouses, top the list with glasses, heels, and wool coats following closely behind. And it’s not just professional clothing that makes people feel confident. A favourite pair of jeans topped the list as the most confident boosting article of clothing.