How to Look the Part as a Businessman

If you've opened a business, it's important to look the part. Especially if you go to seminars or if you go networking with people in your sector, you want to dress to impress so everyone takes you seriously. In many areas of work, this means you need to suit up! In this article we give you a few tips on how to look like a true professional and as a trustworthy businessman. 

A good, well-fitting suit

Clothes are such an important part of your identity, but also a big communication tool. Many studies have shown that the clothes you wear transmit an important message about who you are and people associate qualities with your appearance. That's why they say a first impression is super important! As a businessman, you want to look professional, credible, confident and reliable. You can't give others that impression when your suit is too tight or too loose. We know it's an investment, but you can wear a good suit for years! We recommend going to a tailor and get your measurements taken so the suit fits you like a glove. Buy a few shirts with your suit and you're ready to go! 

Quality dress shirts

Talking about shirts: these you can often buy a bit cheaper, but we still recommend to buy dress shirts of a nice material. You don't want your shirts to look cheap or worse: feel scratchy when you wear them. While you're shopping for shirts, it might also be handy to search for a few sweaters made of soft materials. On days you don't want to wear a full suit, you can combine the trousers with a dress shirt and a woolen sweater for instance (Dutch: wollen trui heren). This look even looks great with jeans! Another option is wearing a nice V-neck sweater (Dutch: v hals trui heren) over a dress shirt. And if you want to look more casual, you can even skip the dress shirt underneath. 

A nice watch

As a businessman, you're usually on a schedule. And while nowadays everyone carries a phone with them, watches are still a way to show some personality between many other men in suits. In many circles, they're even a status symbol! If you don't have a huge budget, don't feel pressured to buy a Rolex - many other brands have great watches that aren't that expensive. Pick a watch that you like, that's made of quality materials. Pick a leather band over a plastic-looking one, for instance! 

Good leather shoes

When people form their first impression of you in their mind, they don't just look at your clothes, they also look at how you hold yourself, which accessories you're wearing and ... what shoes you wear. Did you know that that's often the first thing people look at? That means you need good shoes, preferably nice, formal leather shoes. For days you can look a bit informal, you can of course switch it up with a fun pair of sneakers. 

Which classic items do you think a businessman should also have?