The working world has been drastically changed since COVID-19 made its presence known; we no longer go to physical workspaces, we don’t shake hands, and most of the time we interact on-screen. Where once we used to dress according to the work situation, now we are having to learn a whole new culture of work attire. Many industries had shifted towards a new work casual setting, but now t-shirts, jeans, and hoodies are the norm. Some people are even comfortable having meetings or participating in work sessions in pajamas (or at least the bottom half).

The effects on our productivity and our psychological well-being are already being documented, but very little has been discussed about how coaches and trainers should react to the new conditions. Should we continue to dress professionally for our clients? Or should we instead adopt a more casual dress, and presentation?

Last week I had a session with a client who became visibly upset, and we decided to end early. It is never easy to make progress when we are under stress—and a lot of people are under some new form of stress right now. Having reflected on the situation, I came to the conclusion that perhaps my client was reacting to how I was dressed. It is not uncommon for me to wear jackets, ties, and waistcoats to my clients’ places of business, but since things have changed, I usually wear an Oxford shirt and khakis during Zoom or Teams sessions. However, many of my clients had been wearing t-shirts and very casual clothing. I decided to try a new approach and see how it went. I started wearing t-shirts with a comfortable but classic sweater. The effects were instantaneous. Clients felt more comfortable, opened up more, and we were about to get more work done.

If you have started using online communication platforms, like many of us have, perhaps consider the effect your wardrobe may be having on your colleagues and clients. I have yet to see a tie or suit jacket, and the shirts with buttons are far and few between. (I can only hope there are pants below the screen.)

The importance of dress is based on the premise that it signals our values and culture to those around us. A business person dressed in professional attire feels an affinity with those who are similarly dressed. So, do skaters, construction workers, and hipsters. On first sight, we appraise individuals based on visual cues. If you want to make a good first impression, dress similarly to those you are meeting. There is also an aspect of power involved in dress and its social cues. Expensive clothing, shoes, watches, and jewellery traditionally represent a different class and social status than jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers do. However, those principles may not hold when applied to online interactions.

If the professionals I work with have started to wear more casual clothing due to the changes brought on by COVID, perhaps dressing similarly to them signals that I am experiencing similar changes to my lifestyle. Dressing too sharply may give the impression that I am trying to maintain an appearance that is no longer appropriate; on the other hand, dressing too shabbily may give the impression that I am debilitated by the upheaval of the pandemic. It is important to find an appropriate balance. In the end, we are trying to find common ground, balance, and expression in the way we decide to present ourselves.

In-person socialization is at an all-time low right now, and so we have little basis to assess our experiences. There are no generally accepted answers. I would love to hear how things have changed for you (the changes you have made?) since the dreadful spring of 2020, so reach out and send us a message!