Will Eyewear Enhance Your Workplace Image?

Editors note: this story originally appeared on my friend’s blog ‘Daily Gloss.’ Daily Gloss is a destination for corporate women to gain inspiration, seek advice and confer with other like-minded ladies on all issues relating to their professional lives. I enjoyed reading this opinion piece and hope you will too! Be sure to leave your feedback in the comments below.

Image: Chanel

Ok I will confess, when I was younger and life was full of possibilities I would flip through the pages of my favourite fashion magazine and dream of having a modelling career. It was a stretch I know, and not just because I stopped growing at 5ft1 (155cms)….

Yes,  it was one of those impossible dreams (like getting married to a prince) that filled in time while I waited for the orthodontist to tighten my braces. At least I was smart enough early on to recognise that I would have to rely on my wits and hard work to get ahead.

I eventually pursued a degree in economics and when I secured my first finance role I got a break into the world of modelling – financial modelling that is. Now in the fashion world, beauty may well be the key to career success, but in the corporate world brains trump good looks any day.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUNGLASSES FOR YOU

We’ve all heard the saying “boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.” In the corporate world where personal brand matters the rules are: looking good can help advance your career – but looking the part is infinitely better.

It’s not surprising therefore that Chanel has appointed Claudia Schiffer as the brand ambassador for its eyewear frames. The strength of Claudia’s personal brand, her ability to perpeturate career success beyond the typical fashion model shelf life is as much an affirmation of her beauty as it is her smarts.

No doubt, the people behind this campaign know that eyewear just happens to be one of those accessories (like a good corporate suit) that can truly enhance your image. It’s unreasonable and unjustifiable but it’s true. I’m afraid we just haven’t outgrown that age-old stereotype that eyeglass-wearers have a higher intellect.  Though we may not be aware of it, this idea is deep ingrained in our psyche.

SHOP THE LOOK: WORKWEAR CHIC

A study by the College of Optometrists has found that job seekers are more likely to be hired if they wear eyeglases to the interview. Results showed that a third of adults see eyeglass-wearers as more professional, while 43 percent think they appear more intelligent.

Psychology professor Cary Cooper from Lancaster University has commented on the subject saying “the idea that intelligent people wear glasses is an old stereotype that has not gone away” while he doesn’t agree with the typecast he does consider the possibility that “some people have more self-confidence and change their behaviour when they put on glasses” which would effect their performance in an interview or the workplace.

These findings pose a dilemma. Do you accept the stereotype and use eyewear to your advantage, even if you don’t technically need it? Or do you choose to command respect through your work ethic and manner?  Well – if you have the goods and you work hard, eyewear can give you an edge. But, as Claudia Schiffer demonstrates, at the end of the day results matter more – so while you can accessorise all you like nothing will do more for career success than hard work, good decisions and smarts.

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