Do Clothes Make The Agent... Or Is It More About Your Who Or Your "Wear"?

Hi All,

I went off this morning to caravan and just got home a few minutes ago.  Boy, a whole lot has been going on here since I left.  I want to respond to you all so here goes...

Rich - I agree that who we are should be what we present.  I keep saying that if someone is looking for the prototypical "Real Estate Agent" then they would not be looking at me anyway.  Oh, and at our office we rarely have clients in the office and usually when someone is bringing a client in they let folks know beforehand.  Thanks for the comments

Sally - I am much more in line with your style than with the blazer and business suit crowd.  It also does not seem like a good idea to not be able to get down on all fours, if need be, to look about.  I learned with the house that we are currently renting that you need to take a flashlight and look into the deepest recesses of the cabinets and to take out the bottom drawer to make sure that things look ok.  In my house, we have one cabinet that has flooring which only extends part of the way.  Then there is a ledge and the dirt from under the house.  If anything actually gets pushed that far back, it falls beneath the house never to be heard from again.  And I also discovered upon removing the bottom drawer completely once that this area is not finished either.  Someone stuck a leftover piece of paneling in there, but the crawl space is even more accessible here.  For this reason alone, I tend to think that wearing clothes which allow me to look everywhere just make sense.  Thanks for the input

Bob & Carolin - Thanks for weighing in.  Here in Claremont, we get those kinds of days as well.  Last year we spent most of summer with 100 degrees as a minimum (gosh, I hope we don't have that happen again) so more casual attire really makes sense. I also have a theory that the folks that I will attract via blogging will probably be a lot more "modern" in their thinking and that casual clothes like jeans will be accepted and may even be expected. 

On and thanks also for the shoe advice, I am also a Crocs, or crocs type of shoe devotee.  Last year at SavOn/Osco Drugs they had a knock off brand available that were $10 a pair.  I sure hope they get them again, because I am going to load up.  Oh, and they also had something similar at Nordstrom.  I got some in scarlet red at Nordy's rack for $10 also.  

These shoes are a godsend.  Most days I can't go barefoot and some days I can barely walk without wincing and lurching from place to place.  Honestly on the days when things are really bad, I think the clothes are the least of my worries.  I am moving about like Igor and I don't care what you wear, people are gonna notice that more than the suit.

Sandra - One of the agents in our office lives and works in Temecula.  His name is Nat Genis and I rarely, if ever see him in anything other than a casual Hawaiian style shirt (usually with Keller Williams embroidered on it) and walking shorts when it is warm or jeans when it is not.  I also don't understand why denim pants are bad and denim shirts or jackets are good.  Thanks for the comment.

Doreen - I can't go barefoot most of the time either, which is truly a shame because, my feet are much happier without shoes than with them.  Take a look at the comment I left for Bob and Carolin about other sources where I have found Croc's type of shoes for a fraction of the price.  Great to hear from you.

Mott - I agree with you on all fronts and if I could get away without having to wear anything on my front, I would probably be much happier.  But, I am pretty sure that, were I to decide to eschew apparel altogether the office would be even more put out than they are when I show up in jeans :-)

Kaushik - I agree, I firmly believe that people who decide that they like me are going to like "me" and that means they will like jeans and comfy shoes me.  I am also pretty sure that, especially for folks that have seen my blog or even just my photo, would be almost expecting someone not quite in line with the status quo. 

Cheryl - I feel the same way.  That "city slicker" look tends to raise my hackles almost instantly.  I know what you mean about wearing clothes that you can't work in.  I remember once being on my way to work at about 7 (egad) AM dressed to the nines in a short cotton dress and four inch pumps.  I had a car problem on the freeway and was forced to stand at the center divider hoping someone would call for help for me.  Boy, was I regretting my fashion choice as spike heels make it really hard to push a station wagon far at all :-). 

I also agree with you about wearing clothes that fit what size you are right now.  If I can read the date on the penny while it is in your back pocket those pants are a tad too tight.  Another sign is blue ankles when you are not wearing socks and having to use a fork or pliers to pull up the zipper.  Of course, I am not a fan of clothes that are too loose either.  I really don't want to know what color someone's thong is, or for that matter that they wear one and I certainly don't want to find out that they prefer to go "commando".

Suzanne - Thanks for the great advice.  I think you are very right on the money.

Jeannie - I think that might be a good compromise.  I also think that we need to move our office into larger quarters soon so that we will have a back door I can sneak into :-)

Greg - I agree that there is a time and a place for certain things, and that the area you are working in has a huge amount to do with it.  That is one of the things that makes it challenging sometimes, where I am there are almost as many Birkenstocks as there are Bruno Malles.  After all, Claremont is known as Tree City as much for the number we have growing as it is for the folks that we have hugging them :-)

Susan - Now, oddly, sandals seem to be OK at my office and jogging suits get a pass.  So I am continually puzzled by the "rules".  Personally, I tend to view sports type attire (jogging outfits, team jersey's and the like) as being less "appropriate" than a nice clean pair of jeans and a polo type shirt.  But that's just me.  Thanks for weighing in.

Julie - My Niece is in the pharmaceutical industry as well and she loves it, not the clothes especially but the business.  I know what you mean about Park City, anyone wearing east coast clothes would stick out like a sore thumb.  When I was there for Sundance one year I loved the area.  So now, when I want to take my family back I will know who to call :-)

I was especially charmed by the old cemetery right across from the triplex.  I went plodding into the three-foot deep untouched snow to look at gravestones and was puzzeled by how big the place was and how few markers I saw.  I got from the entrance to the furthest fence when I realized that most of the markers were hidden beneath the carpet of white and that I had just walked myself into a mine field.  Those tombstones were all around knee to shin height and it was only by virtue of simple dumb luck that I didn't crash right into one and break my neck. 

Kelley - Claremont is a pretty casual town as well, all things considered.  I think that is why it just chaps my hide that there is a jeans ban.  Oh, and thanks for the info on the shoe line.  I will look into those.  I am always on the hunt for something nice and comfy that also looks good.

Mary - First of all, I agree that most of the time, your comments (and mine most of the time as well, neither one of us is taking to that be bright, be brief, be gone thing) should be worth more if for no other reason than breadth and scope.  Maybe you should post 'um twice :-) 

Yup, I sure do drive a Prius with "Save A Soldier - Buy A Hybrid" emblazoned on the back window.  And, especially in L.A. and "Hollywood" the car itself was the status symbol.  I got mine because I wanted the hybrid feature and loved the techie, cutting edge feel of the car. 

Oh, and on that note, perhaps you might consider looking into either the Lexsus Hybrid or the Highlander Hybrid for your next car option.  They don't achieve the fuel efficiency of the Prius, but they do much better than their gas only counterparts and both have some features available that you will fall in love with when you try them.  The nav system in each car is pretty good.  The built-in bluetooth connectivity through the nav system is great (keep your phone in your purse and make and receive calls through your stereo) and smart key is one of the neatest features I have ever encountered.  Walk up to your car with your arms laden with "stuff", lay a finger on the door and it unlocks for you and only you.  How cool is that? 

Hey, and while you are at it, consider test driving the Prius, they are a whole lot bigger than you think, can come fully tricked out right down to the leather seats and fancy wheels, have all the neat features you mentioned and get some special parking and driving perks up where you live.  Take a look, you may be pleasantly surprised.  I can carry 20 signs, 20 h-stakes (I hate those things :-( ), my bye-bye box, my printer, computer, snacks and waters and still have all my seating areas free.  It holds 4 plus the driver.  Can you tell that I love my car?  Can you?  Huh... huh... Can you?

Gene - You raise good points.  All are worthy of consideration.  And I quite agree things that would be a blue light special are as inappropriate as things that would better fit a red light district would be :-) Thanks for the comment.

Renae - I wish that was the case at my office and I shall work toward getting into the Agent Leadership Council in order to try to change or at least modify that.  I feel that if I am a big enough girl to be able to dress myself, I should also be allowed to decide what to dress myself in.  I agree however that on a first meeting showing up in your grubbies would be a mistake unless that is truly how you always are.  In my case, I just don't feel as comfortable in businessy business clothes and as a result, I don't think that I present myself as well.  But that could just be the jeans and t-shirts talking...

Diane and Carolyn - Since I don't know which one of you is speaking, and since you are a team, I shall address you both... I agree wholeheartedly!  If they like you, they are going to like you and if they don't then they don't.  Thanks for your contribution.

Jackie - You also bring up some very good points.  And I do make an effort to keep my car spic and span.  I also think that there is much to be said for personal style and having your outside agree with your inside.  Oh, and I would want to ride in the convertible too.  Much more fun and with all of Florida's beautiful beaches it would be a shame to be missing the full experience.

Thank you all for your comments, ideas and opinions.  I have learned a lot and appreciate all of you for sharing.

Boy, if I had the brains god gave a turnip, I would have broken this response into several different posts because this surely should be worth more than 25 points :-)

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

Hi All,

Cait - I hear you on the height challenged thing.  I am a whopping 5'4" so I don't tower over many folks either.  I am leaning in the direction of take my cue's from my client's so that will probably be the compromise I will make.  Thanks for the comment

Gary - As I mentioned, we really don't get that many drop in visitors.  So, I am not really concerned about being "surprised".  I think comfy, clean, neat and casual is really better for me.  Great to hear from you as always.

Desiree - I hear you on all counts.  I do agree that each of us does represent the company especially in the more traditional office setups.  At Keller Williams one of the things that we are told from day one is that it is about us the individual agent not about us the KW agent.  It is always brand the agent not the company so for that reason alone I still tend to think that what we decide to wear should be left up to the individual agent's choice.  I try to avoid the office if I can so that I don't have to "dress up". 

Fortunately for me, I am a jeans girl and my tush cooperates (most of the time).  Thanks for your input, I always enjoy hearing from you.

Mary - I am not an SUV girl either.  So, I will try to stay with the Prius or whatever they offer that is even better than it is as the days roll by.  I am also not big on being the very first to test something out depending on what it is.  The good news is that at least with the Toyota hybrids, they are being introduced and getting their initial shakedowns in Japan so by the time the cars debut here they are "new" but generally not untried. 

I am very much with you on the work from home thing.  My biggest challenge is not really having a great space to call my office at home yet.  So I tend to do most of my work right from the left-hand side of the couch. 

Take care all, help lots of people and have a super day!

Tisza

Hi All,

Sally - And I am sure you looked smashing!  Thanks for stopping back by :-)

Jackie - I agree... Besides the last thing I need is something that will add five pounds.  I can take care of that all by myself :-)

Klaus - Nice to hear from you.  I agree, that dressing right for the occasion is important and dressing right for who you are is also :-)

Take care all, help lots of people and have a super day!

Tisza

Hi All,

Mary - You raise a very good point.  We are professionals and probably should dress like them (I am sorry to say LOL) so maybe I need to make sure that I am always in the clean jeans.  What do you think? :-)  I actually am trying to develop/accuire a comfortable nice casual business uniform, if you will.  I plan on wearing logo embroidered shirts, and black slacks or nice dark jeans.  I think it will be a good compromise for me, comfortable, easy care and very much my personality. I hope your buyer found something wonderful that you can write the offer for soon.  Great to hear from you as always.

Mike - I don't wear ties as they look silly with a t-shirt on a girl unless you are Avril Lavigne. LOL  See, that is one place where I think guys have it all over gals, generally, with the exception of ties, and tuxedos, men's clothing and shoes, even when they are formal business attire, are just more comfortable than women's are.  The shoes especially. 

After men developed the high heel way back in the 18th century, with the exception of one very sad period in men's foot wear we'll call the 70's, men have been smart enough to shy away from heels.  Also, I think that one of the most brilliant pieces of marketing ever was to equate the size of a man's foot with his sexual prowess.  No more tight, uncomfortable too small shoes for you guys.  I've seen those men's size 8's sitting in Nordy's insisting that they need a 13 or a 14 because their feet need room to breathe... or as my hubby says "Big hands, big feet... two out of three ain't bad."

Thanks for stopping by.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

Hi Sylvia,

Thanks for the comment.  I am glad to hear that the Hummer invasion has not hit Marin... yet, of course with gas prices rising faster than hemlines in the 60's the invasion may not hit there at all.

Now that I have put more time into the industry I have formulated even stronger opinions about appearances and what they mean to me and to others.

I have managed to attract client's and close deals by cloaking myself with what really matters most to them, my in depth knowledge of the market and their needs.  My Prius (purchased well before I ever joined the Realtor ranks) tells them who I am (as does the decal emblazoned on my rear window that says "Save a Soldier, Buy A Hybrid") and my attire shows them that I am a no-nonsense, hardworking agent who is not afraid to get her hands dirty.

In this day and age, I agree that choosing one's battles is not just necessary but the right thing to do. 

Again, thanks for the comment and for stopping by.  Continue to have a successful year!

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza