Posted by ikando on 10/29/10 5:11pm
Msg #358835

Seeking opinions on attire

I've been considering having a uniform for my business. I most frequently wear slacks and a shirt/sweater now, and was thinking of having a nice polo shirt embroidered with my company logo to wear with slacks.

What is your opinion of this idea for a professional? BTW, I'm a female.

Reply by cadmonkey/CA on 10/29/10 5:22pm
Msg #358839

a polo shirt seems like a step down from a dress shirt and in my opinion would barely pass as business casual. Plus the embroidered logo would just look cheesy (would seem like you worked at a retail store). I always wear a tucked in dress shirt with slacks or khakis (Friday only). A professional appearance definitely makes me feel more confident and conveys to the borrower that I mean business.

Reply by Donna McDaniel on 10/29/10 5:26pm
Msg #358840

Your money may be better spent on pens with your logo on them to leave with the borrowers.

Reply by ikando on 10/29/10 5:29pm
Msg #358843

Already do the pens and business cards.

Reply by jnew on 10/29/10 5:30pm
Msg #358844

The signing companies do call the borrowers and ask questions about you and your presentation at the signing. I always think that if I dress for church I am okay.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/29/10 5:41pm
Msg #358845

Just take a peek at this video and rethink overdoing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHDaALUaHHs

(And yes... that's a real notary in CA... and yes.... the answer to any question.... is likely yes.)

I've found that many of the notaries with a "uniform" are a bit too gimmicky and overly aggressive with their marketing. There are several of them in the Los Angeles Area like that... and while they do okay business wise, it's not the image I choose to put out there. But, hey... if it works for them, it works, right?

To me, I try to market the more discreet, sensitive nature of notarizing sometimes, and I dress the same way.

However, I do have a "uniform", too, in a way... I tend to wear the same couple of outfits when I go out because I know that they are professional, but not flashy or aggressive.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 10/29/10 8:50pm
Msg #358886

He looks like the guy who drives the local ice cream truck. n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/30/10 1:23am
Msg #358908

Re: Seeking opinions on attire - my 2 cents

"I do have a "uniform", too, in a way..."

Me, too. Dark pair of slacks, with a jacket or other top over a blouse (or simple sweater set). These days, I wear inexpensive slacks that go in the washer, so I don't care if I get slobbered on by friendly dogs or walked on by cats (who can usually tell I'm an animal lover.) If it's too hot for a jacket, I'll wear another top like a jacket to make a more complete - if casual - look. (It also does a great job of hiding what wasn't there before I got into this sedentary business...! ) Among my favorite things these days are those no-iron Foxcroft shirts from Nordstrom. They come out of the dryer looking like you sent them to the cleaners. (Got my last one virtually free with credit card points; my favorite way to shop! )

I'm not really a fan of the logo-on-clothes look. It's not something you usually see on professional people. Think about it... Where do you most often see people with uniform shirts? The last few I saw were worn by the guy who adjusted my brakes today, the folks at Costco yesterday, the McDonald's workers when I stopped for a coffee between appointments, etc. I don't mean any offense to anyone, but I just don't think that kind of look would do much to elevate the image of our field, regardless of how nice they look. I have to admit that I like the idea of the simplicity of it, but I still don't think I'd want to go that route. We have enough image issues as it is.

I remember reading the Dress for Success (for Women) book back in the 80's, too. He said that you should always dress for the next level up. Well, we're all self-employed and most of us are beyond aspiring to climb the corporate ladder, but the point is that people will judge you by how you look. No getting around it. And first impressions can never be undone.

Reply by trnsa_IL on 10/30/10 10:56am
Msg #358956

Re: Seeking opinions on attire - my 2 cents

I completely agree with Janet.

Like most of us, I attend closings in many different places, some conventional, some not - Title companies, banks, realty offices, attorneys offices, borrower's place of business, restaurants, schools, living rooms, dining rooms, front porch, back deck, front seat of my car, hood of my car, on a boat, well, you get the picture. I dress professionally regardless and I believe discretion is a must.

If I walk into an appointment at a borrower's place of business, dressed professionally I am just an appointment. A logo emblazoned on my shirt would reveal much more info about that appointment than I believe the borrower would want to share. If the borrower wants to reveal their personal business, so be it, but it will not be me.

My husband commented that he thinks the logo idea is a bit "franchisee"

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 10/30/10 6:43am
Msg #358927

okay, that was funny, and a bit creepy, weird..... n/m

Reply by James Dawson on 10/29/10 6:10pm
Msg #358846

Once my boss gave my a book titled "how to dress for success". The guy had on wing tip shoes. He looked like a J.C. Penney's mannequin. I wear cleaners pressed levis and a long sleeve business shirt (also pressed), Birkenstock w/socks. That is California dress. Anything else, a SS couldn't afford me. When people meet me, they don't care!

Reply by Tess on 10/29/10 6:32pm
Msg #358850

Re: If you need something to wear with your company

name on it, do like the realtors do. Wear a nice jacket and add a nicely made name tag. That’s as far as I would go with it!

Reply by laurielnc on 10/29/10 7:21pm
Msg #358864

I always try to wear black pants, dress white shirt and black suit jacket with name tag. I have several of the same thing so it's easy to grab and looks professional. Summer I may not wear the jacket but always wear the name tag. If I meet them in a coffee house they can recognize me better. I've even have friends that have refinanced and have told me what their notary wore and said it wasn't professional.

Reply by Alz on 10/29/10 7:24pm
Msg #358865

Corporate America taught me how to

dress professionally, i.e. blues, grays, blacks....lol.. I laught because during that era I didn't appreciate it, but now I continue the tradition.

Reply by Joan/CA on 10/29/10 11:46pm
Msg #358905

It is possible for you to have a logo or the name Notary Public stitched on a ladies dress shirt, cotton or knit sweater set. You would be surprised at how nice some of the promotional attire looks these days. They even have linen, raw silk, wool, leather ect. I think that you have a great idea, you just need to go online and find the right product. I have a promotional products background, so I know that it is out there, and it is very effective. Good luck!

Reply by ikando on 10/30/10 4:51am
Msg #358913

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. It's definitely food for thought. I guess, like several of you, already have a uniform, based on my background in banking and legal work.

I was considering something with a logo similar to what Joan mentioned--subtle and professional. A nametag is another option.