5 answers
Julia
Student
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2
Questions
Updated
1063 views
How do you adapt your personal style as your career evolves?
I’ve noticed that as my career grows and my goals shift, the way I dress and present myself changes too. Some things that used to feel right don’t quite fit anymore, and I’ve started thinking more intentionally about how my style reflects where I am now.
Have you experienced something similar? How do you adapt your personal style to align with new roles, goals, or stages in your career?
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5 answers
Emily Anne
Manager, Technical Support
25
Answers
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Updated
Emily’s Answer
It sounds like you're going through a natural evolution in your personal style as your career progresses, which is both insightful and important. As your career grows, your role, level of responsibility, and even your identity as a young adult can shift, so it makes sense that your appearance might need to adapt as well. Your personal style often becomes a reflection of your confidence, career aspiration, and the way you want to be perceived in different environments and you're on the right track!
Have I experienced this too? For sure! I can definitely understand how evolving in a career brings changes to your sense of style. As I think about it, there are several parallels between personal growth in a career and how we express ourselves externally. As your goals shift too, you might begin to consciously define how you want to be perceived, and your style can help reinforce that image.
Good luck!
Have I experienced this too? For sure! I can definitely understand how evolving in a career brings changes to your sense of style. As I think about it, there are several parallels between personal growth in a career and how we express ourselves externally. As your goals shift too, you might begin to consciously define how you want to be perceived, and your style can help reinforce that image.
Good luck!
Thank you!
Julia
Eric Saunders
Software Dev, Artist, Scrum Master, Project Manager
9
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Eric’s Answer
What a great question, Julia!
I think of personal style as more than how we dress or look. That's part of it, but the other parts are how we act, and how do we want others to think of us? For instance, when people think of me, I want them to think of a hard working, skilled professional, who's maybe a little silly :D
It's natural for your style to change with your career and goals. Starting out, we don't need to appear very professional, but over time it helps to keep up an appearance of respectability and professionalism.
I feel less comfortable in a professional attire, but it's how I dress these days. The visual aspect of personal style feels like a bunch of b.s., except that it isn't. People really do respond to the way you look, and treat you accordingly. I find that the old adage of "dress for the job you want, not the job you have" is very helpful. (I even apply this to my work, too). When people see you looking, acting, and doing the work that aligns with your goals, it's very easy for them to treat you and promote you into that area.
You want to be true to yourself as well. How can you look and act that aligns with both your goals, and is true to you? What about you can you highlight about you that will make you stand out? How do you want to be known at work?
As you step into more strategic or leadership roles, your style might shift toward more polished, intentional choices. This doesn’t mean losing personality. It's about balancing authenticity with influence. For instance, I dress in slacks and polos for work daily, while my pictures in chats is a rubber ducky. Everyone knows that I do hard work and I take things sincerely, but it's also a reminder that I won't take things *too* seriously.
Stay true to yourself. The most powerful style is one that feels like you, while fitting within your career goals. More than just how you look, what matters most is that your current appearance and actions support your mindset and goals.
I think of personal style as more than how we dress or look. That's part of it, but the other parts are how we act, and how do we want others to think of us? For instance, when people think of me, I want them to think of a hard working, skilled professional, who's maybe a little silly :D
It's natural for your style to change with your career and goals. Starting out, we don't need to appear very professional, but over time it helps to keep up an appearance of respectability and professionalism.
I feel less comfortable in a professional attire, but it's how I dress these days. The visual aspect of personal style feels like a bunch of b.s., except that it isn't. People really do respond to the way you look, and treat you accordingly. I find that the old adage of "dress for the job you want, not the job you have" is very helpful. (I even apply this to my work, too). When people see you looking, acting, and doing the work that aligns with your goals, it's very easy for them to treat you and promote you into that area.
You want to be true to yourself as well. How can you look and act that aligns with both your goals, and is true to you? What about you can you highlight about you that will make you stand out? How do you want to be known at work?
As you step into more strategic or leadership roles, your style might shift toward more polished, intentional choices. This doesn’t mean losing personality. It's about balancing authenticity with influence. For instance, I dress in slacks and polos for work daily, while my pictures in chats is a rubber ducky. Everyone knows that I do hard work and I take things sincerely, but it's also a reminder that I won't take things *too* seriously.
Stay true to yourself. The most powerful style is one that feels like you, while fitting within your career goals. More than just how you look, what matters most is that your current appearance and actions support your mindset and goals.
Thank you so much!
Julia
Prema Sequeira
Engineering Manager
27
Answers
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Prema’s Answer
Hi Julia!
I love this question. I do believe how your career is reflected in the clothes you wear and how you present yourself, sometimes organically and sometimes intentionally. When I got my first management job from being a programmer, all of the people reporting to me were my colleagues/friends. I needed them to respect my new role, so I did dress a little more formally. I tried not to wear too casual clothes because I needed my team and my upper management to view me differently. Over time with experience, that was no longer an issue, but the change reflected in my style was intentional. But as I grew, I was more conscious of what my peers and upper management wore because that is what I was aiming for, I noticed brands, quality etc. This was more of my style evolving organically. I think being aware is a good thing. That said, I have had bosses who dressed in the most casual of clothes, I think most of the programmers felt comfortable talking to them. I have had bosses that wore branded clothes, crisp shirts were always seen as management. One style choice may mean to some people that they are great with their team while the other choice may mean they are great for upper management. I worked at a media house for a couple of years and dressing well was key to success. When I moved to software, it was not as much of an issue.
Let your style develop and evolve over time. It is a reflection of who you are and who you like others seeing you as.
I love this question. I do believe how your career is reflected in the clothes you wear and how you present yourself, sometimes organically and sometimes intentionally. When I got my first management job from being a programmer, all of the people reporting to me were my colleagues/friends. I needed them to respect my new role, so I did dress a little more formally. I tried not to wear too casual clothes because I needed my team and my upper management to view me differently. Over time with experience, that was no longer an issue, but the change reflected in my style was intentional. But as I grew, I was more conscious of what my peers and upper management wore because that is what I was aiming for, I noticed brands, quality etc. This was more of my style evolving organically. I think being aware is a good thing. That said, I have had bosses who dressed in the most casual of clothes, I think most of the programmers felt comfortable talking to them. I have had bosses that wore branded clothes, crisp shirts were always seen as management. One style choice may mean to some people that they are great with their team while the other choice may mean they are great for upper management. I worked at a media house for a couple of years and dressing well was key to success. When I moved to software, it was not as much of an issue.
Let your style develop and evolve over time. It is a reflection of who you are and who you like others seeing you as.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Julia !
This is an awesome question for an Actress ! I would be happy to fill you in on this type of career.
I have two versions of my career - younger and then older. For this career, certain standards were in place during my younger years which was keeping personal style very neutral. It was recommended that for auditions, you dress quite plain, not calling attention to any one feature. Back in those olden days Danskin skirts and Capezio dance shoes were the standard.
It depends on what you're auditioning for. I once wore a 1930's dress I bought at a thrift store to audition for "Of Mice and Men". Also did my hair in a popular style of that era. No, I wasn't cast. Did the same thing only '40's style when I auditioned for Redford's "Quiz Show" film. Wasn't cast. Those were the only two times I did that. Learned a lesson. Go neutral.
Today, as an older individual, I wear a blazer and dress pants with low heels. Depending, I will wear my rather wild hair slicked back in a ponytail or completely down. It all depends on exactly what I'm auditioning for, but older, I like a nice professional, neutral look - for which I do get cast.
As an older person, I do keep up with trends in fashion, love clothes, but I keep it business-like for acting auditions and interviews. It's a strange business in that you never know what the auditors are looking for, so keeping it neutral always helps. This is what it's like in an unconventional, non-corporate career. Aligning personal style to one's goals and, literally, roles is very important for those in the acting world.
So I have had two stages in my career already - young and older. My personal style helps me feel comfortable, presentable and age appropriate.
This was an outstanding question and I wish you all the best !
This is an awesome question for an Actress ! I would be happy to fill you in on this type of career.
I have two versions of my career - younger and then older. For this career, certain standards were in place during my younger years which was keeping personal style very neutral. It was recommended that for auditions, you dress quite plain, not calling attention to any one feature. Back in those olden days Danskin skirts and Capezio dance shoes were the standard.
It depends on what you're auditioning for. I once wore a 1930's dress I bought at a thrift store to audition for "Of Mice and Men". Also did my hair in a popular style of that era. No, I wasn't cast. Did the same thing only '40's style when I auditioned for Redford's "Quiz Show" film. Wasn't cast. Those were the only two times I did that. Learned a lesson. Go neutral.
Today, as an older individual, I wear a blazer and dress pants with low heels. Depending, I will wear my rather wild hair slicked back in a ponytail or completely down. It all depends on exactly what I'm auditioning for, but older, I like a nice professional, neutral look - for which I do get cast.
As an older person, I do keep up with trends in fashion, love clothes, but I keep it business-like for acting auditions and interviews. It's a strange business in that you never know what the auditors are looking for, so keeping it neutral always helps. This is what it's like in an unconventional, non-corporate career. Aligning personal style to one's goals and, literally, roles is very important for those in the acting world.
So I have had two stages in my career already - young and older. My personal style helps me feel comfortable, presentable and age appropriate.
This was an outstanding question and I wish you all the best !
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Julia
You are very welcome for the advice. The business/corporate world may have different standards than the arts/entertainment world but I am happy to contribute !
Michelle M.
Toni Patrick
Photographer/ Creative Director
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Toni’s Answer
Hi Julia,
You are on the right track with the mindset you have. You absolutely will change as your career evolves and almost every time for the better! You will gain more confidence and maturity. Your walk will change, your talk will change and best of all your tax bracket will change for the better...
As you grow, remember to live in the moments and enjoy the growth because we don't always see it as good as it is!!
You are on the right track with the mindset you have. You absolutely will change as your career evolves and almost every time for the better! You will gain more confidence and maturity. Your walk will change, your talk will change and best of all your tax bracket will change for the better...
Toni recommends the following next steps:
That’s such a great perspective, Toni — I really love how you framed growth as something to actually live in instead of just race through. It’s so true that as our confidence and mindset evolve, the outside starts to reflect that naturally.
I’m trying to lean into that same mindset — seeing style shifts not as “outgrowing” something, but as signs that I’m stepping into a new version of myself. It’s exciting when you start to notice that alignment between how you feel inside and how you show up outwardly.
Have you found any moments where your style change surprised you — like it reflected your growth before you even realized it yourself?
Julia