Did you know that it takes approximately a tenth of a second to form an opinion of a stranger’s appearance?

These judgments are swift and often challenging to reverse.

The truth is that your professional image hinges on your sales attire. Since you only get one chance, wouldn’t you like to make that first impression count? 

In this guide, we’ll explore the transformative power of a sales dress code. If you want your clothing to set the tone for success, read on to learn more!

In the world of field sales, it’s always safer to be more formal than underdressed. Dressing more casually than your customer can make you seem unprofessional and disinterested. 

While many companies are relaxing their dress code for salespeople, it’s important to strike the right balance between professionalism and approachability. 

Looking too casual can derail the progress you’ve made with your prospects. To ensure a positive connection with customers, prioritize a credible and trustworthy appearance.

Here are some practical tips that you can implement today:

• Don’t be afraid to put on a suit. 
• Limit accessories and put away flashy ties or necklaces.
• Opt for simple and subtle makeup styles. 
• Make sure your attire fits you well 
  • Check for proper sizing: ensure that your clothing isn’t too tight or too loose
  • If needed, invest in professional tailoring

Back to Top ↑

Your sales attire goes beyond customer interactions and sales meetings. It extends to your daily office presence as well. 

Coming to the office dressed professionally not only demonstrates respect and appreciation for your coworkers but also reinforces your commitment to excellence.

Adhering to a sales dress code, even on casual Fridays, allows you to maintain a consistently polished image. You can even consider a semi-formal attire for a professional look. 

Looking great is only half the battle, though. The other part of making a great impression is to arrive on time. 

One sales tool that can help you accomplish this is Badger Maps. 

Badger Maps is a route optimization software that allows sales reps to automatically plan, route, and maximize their time in the field, cutting down driving time by 20%. 

With capabilities such as route optimization, lead generation, map visualization, and automated data gathering from the field, Badger Maps helps field sales teams save time on their daily planning, maintain better relationships with customers, and get organized.

Other important capabilities such as follow-ups and advanced reporting allow you to keep track of key customer information.

You can add a date for your next follow-up appointment, and set an appointment reminder, with all of your notes recorded in the field automatically syncing to your CRM.

Sales teams have reported that they sell 22% more and drive 20% less when using Badger Maps, in fact, the average team of 10 reps sells $936k more the year they start using the app.

With Badger Maps, you can mobilize your CRM, providing instant access to important customer information directly from the field. You can sync and leverage data in your CRM, all from your mobile device. 

You can also enable a two-way, real-time native integration with the most popular CRMs such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics, Insightly, NetSuite, and many more.

Additionally, field sales teams increase their CRM usage by 50% when using Badger Maps.

If you're looking to make a great first impression with your customers, look no further than Badger Maps. 

Badger Maps reduces sales reps’ average drive time by 20% and frees up an average of 8 hours a week, ensuring you will never be late to a meeting again! 

Sign up for a free trial today or schedule a demo to see how you can start using this route planning tool for yourself!

Back to Top ↑

Your clothing goes beyond aesthetics - the way that you dress can communicate your leadership potential. 

“Always dress for the position you want - not the one you already have.” - Giorgio Armani

Want to get that promotion this year? It’s wise to show that you know how to dress for sales to demonstrate your readiness for the next career level. A sharp suit conveys trustworthiness, professionalism, ambition, and confidence.

Note: Your dress code speaks to the league you're playing in; so aim higher, and let your attire reflect your aspirations.

The higher your position, the more formal your dress code has to be, whether you’re outside in the field or inside the office. Show your employees and peers that you can be trusted as a boss and a top performer by looking like one.

Here are some general Do’s and Don’ts: 

DO WEAR: tailored suits, collared shirts, blouses with modest necklines, neutrally colored dress pants, blazers, polished dress shoes, tasteful accessories

DON’T WEAR: graphic t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops or sandals, casual jeans, mini skirts, sneakers, hoodies, athletic wear, flashy accessories

Back to Top ↑

We get it - selecting the perfect salesman attire in the morning isn't exactly at the top of your priority list. But imagine delivering the sales pitch you’ve worked so hard on in a mismatched shirt and tie. It's a recipe for disaster, and a disorganized appearance can overshadow even the most brilliant pitch.

Here’s a quick tip: Prep your outfit the night before. That way you’ll be ready to shine in your meetings without any extra effort in the morning.

Tuck in your shirt, give your shoes a polish, and tame that bed hair. Ensure your outfit strikes the right balance - not too short, not too tight, and not showing too much skin. These things might convey an inappropriate message about you in a professional setting.

The effort that you put into your sales attire has a direct correlation to your ability to achieve success as a sales representative. So, dress the part, and align your image with your goals.

Back to Top ↑

Picture yourself as the customer and then envision someone pitching a product who looked as if they just rolled out of bed. If they couldn’t even be bothered to iron their shirt or clean their shoes, would you trust them enough to buy their product? 

Most likely not.

Always dress as if you were the person you'd buy from. The right attire builds trust and makes customers more open to sharing their needs. This connection provides the opportunity to discuss the solution you offer.

Listen to this Outside Sales Talk podcast episode with best selling author Shari Levitin to discover how you can sell with authenticity and build trust with your customers! 

Plan your outfit according to who you’re meeting. Adjusting your attire to match the type of customer or prospect you’re talking to can give you a slight advantage that will help you close the deal. People are more likely to engage and do business with you if you look credible, professional, and trustworthy.

Here’s an insightful video with Badger Maps CEO Steve Benson that dives deeper into the nuances of professional dress and how it can help you make the right impression. Take a look to see examples of suitable clothing and styles.

Dressing well leads to success. It’s not just about being a great salesperson; it’s about expressing your skills and professionalism through your appearance. You’ll be taken more seriously and it increases your credibility as a seller.

This not only signals leadership potential but positions you as a top performer among peers, employees, and superiors. 

No matter which job position you’re in or what your sales career goals are, your sales dress code can and will make the difference. Seize the opportunity to dress to your advantage and make a lasting impression - your influence begins the moment you walk through the door.

Back to Top ↑