Do you wear luxury brands and does it impact your sales?

Do you wear luxury designer brands (where it's obvious because of logo or design)? Or do you avoid? Asking specifically in relation to your job. Does it help or hinder your ability to connect with who you're selling to? Or make no difference? I know it probably depends on the industry, but I'm curious to know what people's thoughts are on this.

๐Ÿค  Culture
๐Ÿ™‚ Rapport
37
Dallas_Knight
Big Shot
13
Strategic Account Executive
It Depends, I like to do it subtly depending who I see.

If I am in a room with same level people, or on a factory floor I am blue jeans company polo nothing crazy going on.

If I go to a VP level I throw on a steel watch and Golf Pants with a polo and a belt (Sneakers or Decent enough casual dress shoes like the mesh cole's, super practical and comfy and doesn't scream you pay me too much)

If I see a C level I will wear a suit that is tailored (brand doesn't matter but a tailored suit does, a Jos. A Bank suit tailored will look better than an off the rack designer) A nice white shirt (Mizzen and Mane is my go to) and I will wear dress shoes, nothing flashy with buckles or red bottoms. Ted Bakers are my go to hear. Ironically again the watch is something I will class up with a statement time piece because that level its a great ice breaker and I do wear my glasses more often and have a designer back pack (nothing flashy again just quality leather in black or brown no giant logos all over it)

The key for me is to look like I am put together and that I invest in quality and not hype
jefe
Arsonist
12
๐Ÿ
Tailoring any suit is key - you're very right on that one.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
A well pressed white shirt is always in fashion and always appropriate.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
2
Sales
Great detail here.
Dallas_Knight
Big Shot
2
Strategic Account Executive
Play the audience. Never outshine just stay subtle and let your skill and modesty do the talking. Consulting style sales isnโ€™t flashy itโ€™s honest and humble.

Here to help.
fresh
Catalyst
1
Sales
Awesome. Tailored to your audience. I think that's a great way to connect to subconsciously with whoever you're meeting with.
Dallas_Knight
Big Shot
1
Strategic Account Executive
Exactly, never be flashy with anything be subtle but come correct. Timeless Pieces (shoes, watches, subtle glasses) go longer than giant luxury logos.

I.E no diamond studded watches
Wellss
Tycoon
10
Channel sales
When I was in cyber security sales & would have to travel to clients offices, I would always carry a super nice backpack because I thought it made me look more professional than showing up with like a Jansport one. Did it actually do anything to help connect with people? Probably not, aside from the "I like your backpack" comments.. Did it make me feel better? Heck yeah
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
10
Bravado's Resident Asshole
you mentioned backpack and I instantly thought of 21 Jump Street..
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
5
Rolling 20's all day
One-strapping it is bad for my back!
Wellss
Tycoon
2
Channel sales
This is actually live footage of the cyber engineer & me walking into our meeting! I was the two strapper...
cashmachine
Politicker
2
AE (Account Executive)
that last part is more important than people realize.
PineappleYa
Opinionated
8
AE
I think it is never good to dress above the client/champion you are meeting with.
Gives people the idea you have lots of $ and just want more . I try to be an equal to your audience in attire and otherwise -mirror them
fresh
Catalyst
1
Sales
This was my concern exactly! Good strategy.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
6
Bravado's Resident Asshole
I do not and I do not care. If you are selling fine jewelry or other luxury items, then sure. For the most part, it doesn't matter, just look good and presentable.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
๐ŸฆŠ
I don't flash logos, and I wear very minimal jewelry.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
2
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Only logo you carry is white claw. You really should be sponsored
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
๐ŸฆŠ
No shit
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Simplicity is always good. Better to have something nice but not flashy than something flashy which detracts from the sale.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
5
ERP Sales
I dont buy nice stuff for work. The clothes I wear to work I wear all the time which gets worn out over a year. When I do buy myself something nice I want to last and save for special occasions.

In other words, I am not making the big bucks to have luxury work clothes
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
I am in the same boat here. I hate to spend money on things that really don't feel like they have much impact, would much rather invest the money into a home or IRA. In terms of clothes, important to look decent, but you can do that with a decent fitting Jos. A. Bank shirt.
braintank
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
I feel more confident when I know my clothes fit and look good. I absolutely avoid logos though, to gauche
jefe
Arsonist
4
๐Ÿ
I do like wearing nice stuff, but nothing too logo'd or flashy aside from my Vuitton wallet.

Looking put together helps me feel my best and perform better.

You do have to know your audience. I liked dressing well at educational software conferences, worked well to differentiate me from actual educators.
YoursTruly
Politicker
4
Account Executive (SaaS)
I work in SaaS and sell to SaaS. Luxury clothes donโ€™t matter unless youโ€™re taking someone out to a nice dinner.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Dress in clothing that fits well and looks good. If it's ill-fitting, the brand is going to be immaterial.

My watch is upscale but not over the top, and my jewelry is real, but understated and not flashy.

I mean, I could wear the mink coat and carry the Coach bag, but that's over the top, tbh.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
๐ŸฆŠ
I suddenly need a mink coat.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
I'm astonished that I have one, and honestly, I adore animals, so I am definitely ambivalent. Though, it is plushy and gorgeous and exactly matched my first cat's own plushy fur so much that we used to tease him I'd make a matching hand muff out of him.

It was inherited and is older than I am - so nobody judge me.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
3
Account Executive - SMB
I do not, don't think it makes a difference in all honesty but just my opinion.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
3
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
I do, but I avoid anything with blatant logos. I would say it helps, but not too much.
AutoSmiler
Arsonist
3
Account Executive
If someone decides to buy solely because they're impressed with the omega watch that you flexed on zoom, I wouldn't want to do business with that person. Those people are what used to be known as shallow. Always look presentable, but whether your button-down is Kirkland brand or Armani shouldn't even be a thought in your head. If you have a product that is worth the money and you know how to sell, you can get the job done with a white Hanes t-shirt. The sad thing is, there are people out there that will base their idea of a person on what they are wearing and if that impacts your sale, fuck that person to begin with.
Pachacuti
Politicker
3
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
The group I sell to (which I won't name) is full of older, engineering types. Anything outside the accepted norm is generally not a good thing with this group.

So it one thing if you have a high-end watch, but if you wear something out of this month's GQ, they probably won't take you seriously.
nashvillesales
Fire Starter
3
Director of Business Development
I do 95% of my meetings on Zoom. I honestly think a nice haircut a polo and a steel watch are all you really need on a Zoom call.
KendallRoy
Politicker
3
AM
I wear luxury designer brands in my personal life. At work, most of the time I wear a company logo sweatshirt.
MassholeMovesWest
WR Officer
3
Account Executive
look good, play good
LordOfWar
Tycoon
3
Blow it up
No and no.

I was never one for fashion brands or prominent branding, and I always feel like if I'm flashy with money in front of prospects they would just wonder if they're overpaying.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
๐ŸฆŠ
๐Ÿ˜†
AnchorPoint
Politicker
2
Business Coach
Dress for quality and comfort, not brand.
aiko
Politicker
2
Sr. Account Executive
I never thought about this, but thanks for pointing it out! I like to have a nice backpack but shoes I always get suck on.
cocorico
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Closed deals with luxury brands and tbh not even the customers were wearing designer brands themselves. It will be really relying on the persona. In PR and comms, they can sometimes have a stipend for buying the companyโ€™s clothes to represent them on events/tradeshows. The best outfit you can wear is always your sales hat with a well oiled relevant sales pitch!
thestartupsaasfella
Member
2
Vice President of Sales
The general rule of thumb is you typically don't want what you are wearing to be distracting. So if luxury brands are out of context IE if you are selling to gov, it would likely be distracting. Go for what makes you feel comfortable and confident, but again you don't want it to take away from your meeting.
calebeli
1
Sales & Circulations Officer
Personally, I think it will depend on a couple of factors such as nature of industry, market specific culture etc. and the message you're trying to convey.

For example, back here in Ghana, some of the richest people don't look it such as scrap dealers, second hand clothing importers and those who sell vehicular spare parts. Dressing luxurious to meet such persons will mostly spend doom to your product before you even start selling. They are generally of the perception that they're money is what you're using to buy all that stuff. I don't know how it is in other jurisdictions, but in Africa, ignoring such cultural and market diversities will not get you anywhere as a marketing or sales professional.
fresh
Catalyst
0
Sales
Yes, that part "they're money is what you're using to buy all that stuff". It's what makes me hesitate on carrying a luxury handbags, for example. I think it really depends on industry, location, and clients.
calebeli
1
Sales & Circulations Officer
I totally agree with your last line. That's why it's important as a sales professional to build Customer Persona's before setting out.
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
1
Professional Day Ruiner
does it matter from a client perspective? Probably not. From a self confidence perspective though, if that's your sort of thing, then definitely.

Feeling confident going into a situation is what's going to have the biggest impact. dress accordingly (and professionally of course).
Grillbert.Arenas
Personal Narrative
1
Director of Sales
I think it really depends on who you're speaking to and who you are as a person. I'm in tech sales with marketing being our main vertical that we sell to, and I think if I show up to our meetings/calls dressed to the 9's I'm going to be out of place. Most of my clients are baseball cap and t-shirt types.

Long story long, I think mirroring your client is the best approach.
robertsanfrancisco
1
Vice President Sales
Tailored and Well Pressed every time, you can never go wrong.
Rallier
Politicker
1
SDR Manager and Consultant
Not in my industry. I don't meet in person either so I've never even considered this.
IndianaShep
Big Shot
1
Director of Sales and Marketing
I work from home, so sometimes I put on a shirt and coat. I have actually been told many times that the casual nature of my dress is very calming and personal. It works for my industry and clients, but I also think it would not work for everyone.
zarp
Member
0
Revenue Architect
Not necessarily luxury, but I realized a significant increase in my results after I started wearing button-up shirts instead of casual t-shirts to online meetings
10XQLA
Politicker
0
Medical Sales Assassin
Rolex Submariner, good luck charm....
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