Dumb Question... How Should I Dress?

[David Nacco]

So I may be over thinking this or maybe this actually does matter as much as I think it does, but I am in the process of getting my real estate salesperson license. I’m on track to be licensed next month and I’m curious about how I should dress my first time meeting with brokers to interview. Is it appropriate to wear something like chinos and a nice button up dress shirt tucked in and dress shoes or should I be in a full suit? I was thinking I need to buy a suit to interview with them but I also don’t wanna stand out as being over dressed compared to everyone else and come off as a try hard or something but I don’t wanna look like a bum or a slacker showing up in something more business casual.

Long story short, I think I should buy a suit before interviewing with brokers but is this really necessary?

Also just out of curiosity, if I can only afford to buy one nice suit at the moment, would it be better to go with a navy or grey? I’ve been told black is too formal to wear every day. I feel like navy is the way to go if you only have a single suit?

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @David Nacco:

If you're meeting with bankers then 3 piece suit should do it. (black, gray, blue)

If you're meeting with clients and customers than looking more normal and "just like them" will help you. Being over dressed will make you look like a slick salesman and this will cause them to not trust you. Or it will be threatening to their ego and this will make things weird. 

Also try to match the "look" of your market. Every city is different and there's a concept called "unity" created by Robert Cialdini in a book known as "Presuasion" (which you should read) that explains that we like, trust and help those who "Are" us.

My experience: Commercial agent, multiple door to door sales gigs, business owner.

Good luck!