Clothes to Never Wear to the Office as a Real Estate Professional
Want to Know Types of Clothing Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Originators Should Never, Ever, Wear to Work? The wait is over.
What you wear to open houses, networking events, in the office, continuing education, and even outside to meet a prospect over a cup of coffee you are being judged by your clients and business partners.
Your image online, your branding, your business card, are all being assessed. They all send a subtle but important message about you to your clients and prospects.
I’ll go out on a limb and say most of you want to be judged positively from the first impression to subsequent meetings. Also most want to bring in more wealthy borrowers and finance million dollar properties, the following is a brief guide on what male and female Real Estate sales professionals should not ever think of wearing to work
1. Tennis Shoes
I understand it is important that you feel comfortable. I’m going to let you in on a little secret that a licensed agent with decades of experience who drove from Los Angeles to Orange County educated me about.
The most important part is having the right support for your feet. Comfortable shoes are not always soft or bouncy.
The truth is, cork insoles on the inside of expertly-crafted dress shoes offer a great deal more support than any sneaker available. Also in contrast to a tennis shoe that will wear out in six months and may have a stench of sweat, a really nice pair of dress shoes can be resoled repeatedly.
Some of the most comfortable shoes for realtors as well as producing loan officers are Allen Edmonds. Yes, they will run you around $400-$500, but they will still look stylishly cool after 5 or 10 years or even longer.
Women’s Sneakers
You should just text your contacts and prospects with a message that says, “Being comfortable is more important than working hard. Look at my shoes. It’s gotta be the shoes.”
Nothing to be concerned about. A podiatrist will inform you that leather soled shoes with arch support will still give you the soft and bouncy feel. These supports would be the gold standard in assessing if it’s a comfortable shoe.
2. Sweatpants
Does this really even need to be listed? What professional goes to work ever in sweatpants? Not even your managing broker. You are not any more dedicated because you got in a good workout at the gym and brought some clothes with the proof.
It makes you look ill prepared and desperate. Keep the sweatpants for the gym or for the trampoline with the kids on weekends. Comes to work with a closing settlement statement instead.
3. Shorts
It has to be said since Southern Californians do go to work in shorts. This very casual attire is usually reserved for digital marketing owners and sports instructors.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a 95 degree day or there’s a rolling blackout men and women don’t wear shorts to work in the real estate industry. It speaks volumes about your professionalism.
4. Baseball Caps
This is extremely too casual for a real estate or mortgage professional. Would you want your listing agent to sell your million dollar home wearing a cap? Would you walk into the bank and apply for loan from someone wearing a cap? You can bet your clients will send you back?
5. Backpacks
What in the world are you doing bringing a backpack with you to an appointment? Were you kicked out and have your overnight toiletries? Is your playstation in there or college textbooks?
All you need to be carrying with you are an iPad or Laptop, phone, and application or buyer/seller documents.
6. Graphic T-shirts
Yes, really? There is a very simple reason why graphic T shirts should be banished from your work wardrobe forever.
There is no possible phrase or brand printed on a tee-shirt that will make you look like a trusted, experienced, local real estate expert. While on the job dress the part and take your career seriously.
Not a good look…. Not a good look.
7. Mini-skirts
While you may have looked spectacular at non-business event you went to this is no-can-wear for real estate professionals at work. Nope, not even at Venice Beach or for meeting clients nearby at a beach.
It gives them the idea real estate professionals go hang out at the beach or a club after a meeting instead of finding buyers for their homes or reviewing loan guidelines as a mortgage originator.
This is simply exposing way, way too much to keep a professional look.
8. Anything that shows too much tummy
We know, Beyonce’ looked great in her videos and Super Bowl performances with her midriff showing, but once again this is not that industry. You are not performing at the grammys with Miley Cyrus.
9. Workout Gear
The whole just came back from a yoga class look tells people that your personal workout time cannot be compromised over real estate. It is understood that fitness is a lifestyle and provides so many benefits but it is not part of your job in real estate. Personal development is more important than their career.