What Your Zoom T-Shirt Is Really Saying About Your Leadership Presence

Would you ever wear a business suit to the gym to work out? Likely not, yet I see and hear about professionals showing up to work in casual athleisure wear.

When you show up in attire too casual for the situation, people are very likely to question your expertise, attention to detail, and professionalism. In the newsletter, I shared the instance of a professional on a virtual networking call wearing a Buc-ee’s t-shirt.

This was not a weekend or a night out with friends; it was a professional networking meeting with business owners. This isn’t about the shirt but the message. I asked a colleague if they would ever refer that person to a client, and the answer was no. It’s a missed opportunity over a t-shirt.

Most people assume their work will speak for itself. But research says otherwise. A study in the Journal of Management found that leadership perceptions are driven not just by competence, but by warmth and overall presentation. Individuals who looked more polished were more likely to be perceived and promoted to leadership, regardless of experience.

Your appearance matters, and it can communicate whether you’re prepared, trustworthy, and ready for the role you want. I see and hear about people showing up looking like they “rolled out of bed,” having wet hair, wearing dirty sneakers, the list goes on and on. If you want to change the trajectory of your career, what you wear can give you an advantage.

I hear all the time, “I want to be comfortable,” and I get it, but the reality is you can find business-appropriate attire in breathable, stretchy, and comfortable fabrics. Wearing athleisure, gym gear, or weekend clothes to a professional setting is the equivalent of selling yourself short.

If you’re aiming for visibility, promotion, or influence in 2026, wearing the right clothing can communicate that you take yourself and the opportunity seriously. How do you want to be memorable? Do you want to be seen as trustworthy, fun, or creative? Think about the colors you wear and how you consistently show up.

If you’re aiming for:

• a raise
• a new leadership role
• greater visibility
• stronger influence

…your presence, what you wear, and how you stand out, have to support your goals.

Ask yourself:

Leadership is built on trust.
Trust is built on clarity.
Clarity is built on the way you show up.

Elevating your wardrobe and presence isn’t about abandoning comfort, wearing a suit, or becoming someone you’re not. It’s about how you can align your appearance with the goals you’re working toward. And sometimes, having an outside perspective makes it easier to see what needs to shift.

You deserve a closet full of clothes that align with your goals, pieces that give you confidence, make you memorable, and feel authentic. Pieces that help you stand out for the right reasons. You get to decide what that looks like. Think about the outfits in your closet and your power suits/outfits, the pieces that make you stand taller. Find more of those to wear regularly. Too formal; take pieces of the outfit and mix and match them to create new outfits.

I work with clients to cut through the noise, simplify their closets, understand what supports their leadership presence, and build a wardrobe that fits their lifestyle. When you decide how you want to show up, I work with you to translate that into pieces that work for your life and your career.

If you would like support creating a wardrobe that positions you for success in 2026 or if your company needs help defining “professional presence” for the team, reach out. This is my expertise.

Book a Style Inspo Session and move into the new year with clarity about how you want to be seen. Do you have a team that could use a little guidance? Reach out regarding my Style Advantage presentation. Book a call HERE.