Thought 2 of the Humility Challenge: Rethinking Power Dressing
Diary of a Wimpy Academic - Entry 22
Yesterday, I found myself reflecting on what it means to dress for success and how it aligns with humility. I attended a town hall meeting to hear our president's end-of-year speech and the three-year strategy. The Minister of Education was also there. I deeply respect both of them for their thoughtful policies and ideas, so I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to listen to them in person.
I walked into the main hall wearing my flax dress, matching jumper, and trusty boots, and instinctively chose a seat at the very back. From my vantage point, I saw professors in dark suits, crisp white shirts, and bold red ties making their way confidently to the front rows. They looked every bit the image of “power and success.”
As I sat there in my comfortable outfit, I couldn’t help but wonder: Do we need to dress up in dark suits to show we are successful? Does power dressing define us as leaders or intellectuals? A quick Google search confirmed what many argue: that power dressing sends an important signal of authority and influence.
But as I thought more about it, I started questioning what “success” even means and why it so often seems at odds with humility. Is it possible to be successful and humble at the same time? As I mentally debated these questions, an email notification popped up on my phone.
It instructed me to move to the very front row of the hall. Why? I had been selected by the Ministry of Education to receive a medal for my scientific contributions.
And so, in my crumpled flax dress and boots, I walked to the front row and, shortly after, onto the stage to accept a medal from the government of Kazakhstan. No dark suit. No red tie. No power dressing. Just me, dressed humbly, letting my work speak for itself.
This post isn’t a critique of those who choose to wear tailored suits and dress sharply—it’s about challenging the notion that we need to dress for power to be successful. Yes, dressing neatly and respectfully is important. But dress in a way that reflects you. Do it for your style, your comfort, your authenticity—not to conform, not to intimidate, and not to project superiority.
Because at the end of the day, what matters most is your work, your contributions, and your actions—not the clothes you wear.
And that is my Diary of a Wimpy Academic, Entry 2 for the humility challenge: a small but significant decision to dress with humility, as a reflection of who I am and who I aspire to be—approachable, grounded, and, above all, human.
Here’s to letting our work speak louder than our wardrobes.
What’s your take on power dressing and success?
Diary of a Wimpy Academic - Entry 22
Yesterday, I found myself reflecting on what it means to dress for success and how it aligns with humility. I attended a town hall meeting to hear our president's end-of-year speech and the three-year strategy. The Minister of Education was also there. I deeply respect both of them for their thoughtful policies and ideas, so I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to listen to them in person.
I walked into the main hall wearing my flax dress, matching jumper, and trusty boots, and instinctively chose a seat at the very back. From my vantage point, I saw professors in dark suits, crisp white shirts, and bold red ties making their way confidently to the front rows. They looked every bit the image of “power and success.”
As I sat there in my comfortable outfit, I couldn’t help but wonder: Do we need to dress up in dark suits to show we are successful? Does power dressing define us as leaders or intellectuals? A quick Google search confirmed what many argue: that power dressing sends an important signal of authority and influence.
But as I thought more about it, I started questioning what “success” even means and why it so often seems at odds with humility. Is it possible to be successful and humble at the same time? As I mentally debated these questions, an email notification popped up on my phone.
It instructed me to move to the very front row of the hall. Why? I had been selected by the Ministry of Education to receive a medal for my scientific contributions.
And so, in my crumpled flax dress and boots, I walked to the front row and, shortly after, onto the stage to accept a medal from the government of Kazakhstan. No dark suit. No red tie. No power dressing. Just me, dressed humbly, letting my work speak for itself.
This post isn’t a critique of those who choose to wear tailored suits and dress sharply—it’s about challenging the notion that we need to dress for power to be successful. Yes, dressing neatly and respectfully is important. But dress in a way that reflects you. Do it for your style, your comfort, your authenticity—not to conform, not to intimidate, and not to project superiority.
Because at the end of the day, what matters most is your work, your contributions, and your actions—not the clothes you wear.
And that is my Diary of a Wimpy Academic, Entry 2 for the humility challenge: a small but significant decision to dress with humility, as a reflection of who I am and who I aspire to be—approachable, grounded, and, above all, human.
Here’s to letting our work speak louder than our wardrobes.
What’s your take on power dressing and success?
