Read this post for more on dress code for retail stores. We are all very quick to judge people based on their clothing.

A guy who walks into your shop dressed like a clown would probably decide that you’re not serious about business.

When customers see you, they judge whether or not to trust you within nanoseconds. Your appearance and your personality are just icing on the cake after that.

If you’re wearing something like a smock, which is appropriate for the work environment and also has your name on it to make sure people know who they are talking to – then customers will be more likely able to tell that person apart from other employees.

It’s a constant battle of sorts when meeting new people. We’re all playing this game to determine how much they are worth our time and attention, with each situation being judged on its own merits.

I was just wondering, is there a dress code for this office?

And that’s a problem.

If customers don’t trust you and feel like they can’t rely on your advice, then that customer will just go to their friends for fashion tips.

So if you want to be trusted by your customers, it’s important that they feel like their experience with the company is worth something. Click To Tweet

According to this blog, JC Penney’s changed its dress code to: “jeans, t-shirt, and clean tennis shoes. R.I.P. the tie and dress shirt, good-bye to dresses and pantyhose, and farewell to high heels and dress pants. You will all be missed dearly – imagine having a lady in a t-shirt and jeans, no makeup or perfume, fit you in a bra. Now someone like this giving advice on how to wear a prom dress and what shoes to wear with it.”

I’m a teen retailer so I don’t need to be as strict with dress codes. But if you’re selling luxury watches, clothing or services then your sales associate needs to have the “luxury” look from day one because it’s not just about wearing an expensive suit – they need Armani.

A lot of the Boomer customers who drop off their most precious pieces of jewelry are scared to have someone they don’t know handle it. They want a salesperson that is reliable and will do everything in his or her power to keep them happy.

If you’re still unsure of what the dress code is, then this article will help to clear things up. I’ll show you the four levels in order from most formal down to least formal.

The Different Types of Dress Code:

• Tiffany’s – Designer suiting

The home of designer suiting is Tiffany’s.

• Your bank – Business suiting

Your bank – Business suiting

• Nordstrom – Business casual

Nordstrom – Business casual

• Macy’s – Casual with guidelines

Macy’s – Our casual dress code is simple: just be respectful and avoid anything too revealing or flashy.

• Penney’s – Casual

Penney’s – Casual

• Convenience Store – Street clothes

I like to wear my street clothes when I go out on the town. When I am not wearing these, it is difficult for me to get around.

• Apple – Branded T-shirt

Apple – Branded T-shirt

• Fast food – Uniform

Fast food – Uniform

At the top of this hierarchy, employees are given more freedom to choose their own style. As you move down, they become increasingly generic.

With a myriad of service providers to choose from, it can be difficult to know who you should trust. Fortunately for those looking for help with their marketing campaigns and website design, there are plenty of companies that specialize in this.

Overdressing is less risky

But if you require your employees to wear a suit and tie, they may end up making customers feel judged or like certain customers are not good enough. If this is the case for you then it might be better to allow dress code policies that don’t include traditional suits.

It’s very dangerous because if you don’t break down the barriers between strangers, your retail store crew will have to work even harder.

I can’t be the only one who’s noticed that most guys don’t wear ties anymore.

There are many things that can go wrong with an outfit, but overdressing is less risky than dressing your employees worse than the average luxury.

Boomer customers, who are still spending money despite their age, expect a certain level of service when they shop.

It’s not just about the clothes you sell. When a customer walks in your door, they’re going to judge everything from how well-dressed and clean you are, to whether or not what is on display reflects their own taste.

If you are the owner or manager, it is important to dress one level up. This will make people feel more confident in your leadership and show that you have a clear understanding of what needs to be done.

Customers like that.

If you’re wondering why people are so quick to judge, it’s because the first impression is all they have. For example, if someone meets me for five seconds and I’m wearing a suit jacket with jeans then that person will subconsciously presume my social class (high), education level (college degree or higher), and income bracket (higher than average). They’ll also assume intelligence by seeing what kind of clothes I wear.

When you go to work, what you wear is just as important as how well your work. You have a responsibility not only for yourself but also for the company that employs you. The dress code for retail stores may be formal or informal.

A lot of times, when people see you for the first time they will have a preconceived notion about who you are. If your personality doesn’t match their idea of what an ____ is like then it can be difficult to prove them wrong.

Hiring and firing is not the only thing you need to do when it comes to employee management.

You also have an obligation of providing feedback, so employees know how they are doing. Click To Tweet

These days, it seems like there are more part-time employees than full-time. The other day I was at the store and this girl who couldn’t have been any older than 20 years old just walked out without buying anything! She said she’s “just looking.”

3 Things You Should Do To Get Your Employees on Board

1. Give them ownership of their work

2. Respect and value what they do for the company, even if it is not your favorite thing to do

3) Show employees that you care about how they feel

The best way to figure out if your employee scheduling is too lean or not is by looking at the overtime that they are working. If you have a low amount of OT, then it means there’s no need for additional employees.

I’ll be the first to admit that retail is not always an exciting career. You’re on your feet all day, you have customers coming in and out of the store at every moment, and there’s often very little time for anything else.