Do you Dress for Comfort, for Your Clients or the Seller?

Joan - I loved this post!  It seems standards have changed over the years... I can remember be appalled when I saw a coop agent in sandals come into our office.  Since I live in Atlanta, I've adopted a more casual style over the years, but I still try to dress professionally.  Dress codes for Realtors here run the gamut from super casual to heels & suits.  Great post!

Good morning Joan Cox.  We dress for comfort around here.  I have come right out and asked clients before what makes them more comfortable and they've ALL had the same response.  They like working with someone that is relaxed and on their level which around here again is comfort.  John does wear good jeans and a dress shirt to closings.  That's as dressy as it get's with us.

Sharon,

I think around the mid 90's we started going towards a casual dress even in offices around the country! Everyone is different and I think if you are looking to wear jeans... until you become established in Real Estate - professional route is best!!!

have a great day

Rob

Joan: I dress comfy professional. The key here is to stay cool during the extended summer months.

Hi Joan, I usually dress comfortably, we're pretty  casual in the Seattle area.  I used to wear a tie and jacket everyday for my first 10 years.  

Joan, business casual is the dress of the day here in the Lafayette Real Estate market.  If I am going to show an investor some foreclosures in very poor condition that might include mold, water damage, dangerous debris, or homes with foul odors I will dress with work boots and jeans and canvas shirt.

Joan I tried the skirt and suit jacket, but I got funny looks because I refused to shave my legs :)

Seriously I always dress at a minimum with dress pants, shirt and tie when I am in the office, or on the road calling on Realtors.  I come from the old school , and would not feel comfortable wearing jeans, or even business casual when meeting with a Borrower.

Hi Joan,  when I was new in the real estate business in 2000, a young man broker told me that never wear any sexy dress or short skirt if working with a couple (male & female) , otherwise you will lose them as your clients.

Hello Joan, I do dress professional but comfortable, it would look really odd to dress in any other way in FL with 90+ degree temps.

Hello Joan,

I am young at heart, but old school in my attitude (LOL)  I start in business wear and then morph to my clients personalities and preferences.  In the summer heat, my business casual is black slacks and white button front for showing appointments! 

I have my own look that works for me-and hopefully my clients!

I wear pants that I can use in a crawl space (never know what I'm getting into during the day) and my logo shirt.  Casual, but professional.

Larry always dresses for his comfort, and for me it depends on the weather. Comfortable casual with a little hint of professionalism is my style...

Good Morning Joan: If am going to meet the clients in the office where AC is cranked up during this season, I will wear suit. However, when it comes to showing houses, I will definitely look less professional with suit on while sweat is dripping profusely from my face and wet marks showing underneath the arms.

I wear light blouses and pants when temp is high.

I think a professional appearance is important but these standards vary by location and weather.  Some agents go too far with casual dress that is not appropriate for conducting business by my standards. 

Joan- I know that you are right about dress attire- but usually in the summer (it is very humid in St. Louis) I am in shorts and a cute top with flip flops on- sometimes I will dress it up with cute sandals...  but cute comfort is usually my goal.  I have also taken to wearing a waitress apron so I can hold my phone, keys and supra key without fumbling;) 

Joan, you're right it varies by area and seasons can change how one dresses. I try to go business casual and then adjust as I see fit to make my clients comfortable. Many of them wouldn't care if I wore jeans. The summer heat has had me in dresses like you. Good luck this weekend!