What It Means to Dress Like a VP When the Rules Aren’t Clear

In a recent LinkedIn post, Jill Avey discusses the uncertainty she faced after being promoted to vice president: how to dress for a senior role when her workplace had no clear executive uniform. This article examines Avey’s account and the ideas she shared, rather than presenting her post as its own reporting.

“I got promoted to VP and suddenly didn’t know what to wear to work.”

Leadership style depends on the workplace

Avey describes having adapted to different dress codes during her career, from suits in sales to flip-flops in sporting goods. Her new company offered no obvious template. As Avey notes, “there’s no single way to look like a VP”: expectations can differ from one organization to another, and even from one leader to the next.

That variability makes wardrobe decisions more than a question of personal taste. Avey argues that when expectations are unclear, professionals may default to safe colors and familiar outfits. Yet, in her view, decision-makers also need to imagine a candidate operating at the next level. Her post frames clothing as one part of how leadership readiness is perceived, while acknowledging that the signals are company-specific.

Finding confidence without a uniform

Avey says working with a stylist helped her identify a jacket that fit well and made her feel confident. The detail gives her broader point a practical dimension: a polished appearance need not mean adopting a standard executive costume. Instead, a well-chosen piece can help someone feel prepared while still fitting their workplace.

“She found me one jacket that fit like it was made for me. I feel like a million bucks when I put it on.”

According to Avey, the goal is not to dress identically to other executives, but to make choices that feel appropriate in a particular company. That leaves room for personal expression while recognizing that workplace norms can shape how seniority is read.

Advice for the next career step

Avey connects her experience to an episode of her podcast featuring executive stylist Basia Richard. She introduces Richard as a former red-carpet stylist who now works with directors and senior leaders preparing for advancement. Avey says the conversation covers ways to stand out within a dress code, common fit mistakes, and decisions about where to spend on clothing.

A practical question for professionals

Rather than offering a universal formula, Avey’s post points readers toward a more local question: what does looking ready for the next step mean in their own organization? Her account suggests that observing colleagues, understanding workplace expectations and choosing clothes that support confidence can help answer it.

For readers who have felt uncertain before an important meeting, Avey presents the podcast episode as a starting point. The larger insight in her post is that dressing for leadership is contextual—and that feeling comfortable in one’s choices can matter alongside fitting the setting.