Originally found at Ladders.

What you wear to work says a lot about you, so it stands to reason that every now and then examining the contents of your closet should top your to-do list.

If your wardrobe could use an update, these outdated business professional attire clothing items that age you should be the first ones you toss in the donation pile. 

The workplace in general has seen a shift toward a more relaxed style in recent years. In 2019, CNBC reported that even top investment firm Goldman Sachs revised their employee dress code to lean more casual.

Working from home throughout the pandemic may have caused a temporary change in what business attire looks like, but at some point, you will likely still need to don business professional attire. Be it for a job interview, a meeting with your company’s CEO, or a formal networking event, business professional attire still has a place in the world of work. 

According to a study published in August 2020 by the Academy of Management Annals, research shows that people who are considered “highly attractive” earn an average of 20% more than their less attractive counterparts. Wearing clothing that makes you look older than you are could land you firmly in the “less attractive” category by masking your youthful vigor and casting your stellar work ethic into the shadows. 

Knowing how to dress professionally in a way that doesn’t age you can also help give you a leg up at work. Avoid wearing these outdated business professional clothing items the next time you have to dress up for work. 

Continue reading the original article at Ladders.

Read  the original research in Academy of Management Annals.

Also read  this AOM Insights summary citing this research.

Learn more about the AOM Scholars and explore their work:

• Kelly A. Nault, Insead
• Marko Pitesa, Singapore Management University
• Stefan Thau, Insead