How to Dress to Impress as a Real Estate Agent

So you got your real estate license and you’re ready to find your first property deal. But before you do, it’s a good idea to make sure you look the part. Whether you work for a brokerage or for yourself, you’re going to be meeting lots of clients in person, and you’ll want to make a good impression.

If you work for an agency, ask your boss if there’s a dress standard. Otherwise, you’ll need to make some important wardrobe decisions on your own. And while there’s no official real estate agent dress code, below are some general guidelines you should follow:

Dress to impress

First impressions matter. If you show up to a house viewing in shorts and a t-shirt, for example, you could come across as unprofessional. Your client might think you don’t take your job seriously or wonder whether they hired the right agent.

So always come dressed to impress. That doesn’t mean wearing a tuxedo or a fancy dress, but it does mean looking sharp.

Match the location

Like everything in real estate, what you wear should vary by location. If you’re showing a luxury mansion on the coast in Malibu, a suit and tie are appropriate. But if you’re out on a farm in a small rural town, something more casual will do. 

The key is to match how you dress to the setting. You don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. So try to blend in with the environment.

Levels of dress

That said, here are two basic levels of attire that you can use as a starting point:

1 . Business attire

In general, you should dress in business attire when meeting clients for the first time or showing properties. 

For men, business attire means a suit with a button-down shirt, a smart-looking tie, and dress shoes. Wear dark socks and try to have the color of your shoes match your belt. 

For women, business attire could be a pantsuit, a skirt with a nice top, or a conservative dress. Obviously, what’s appropriate will also vary a little with your personal style.

2. Business Casual

Once you’ve gotten to know your client well, you might get away with business casual attire. Or you might opt for business casual if you’re meeting in a more relaxed setting like a vacation resort.

For men, khakis or chinos and a button-down shirt will do, but you should still wear dress shoes and dark socks. 

For women, a skirt or slacks is a good idea, but you can wear a more casual top like a colored blouse that’s not too fancy. 

Attire to avoid

Of course, some clothes you should always avoid. Any of the following could make you look too young and be considered unprofessional:

- Jeans (especially ripped jeans)

- Shorts

- Sweaters

- Workout clothes (including leggings)

- Graphic tees

- Miniskirts

- Sneakers or flip-flops

We could probably add more to the list, but those are some common wardrobe items that most people own but that are too casual for a real estate agent on the job.

Final Tips

When in doubt, you should always err on the side of caution. It’s better to dress up than to dress down. 

If you need some extra help, consider investing in an online styling service like Stitch Fix. They’ll send clothes that match your style directly to your door, so you don’t have to worry about going shopping on your own. 

Or if you need help keeping track of all your clothes, you can try out closet inventory apps like Stylicious or Stylebook. That way, you stay on top of what you have to wear every day so you can spend more time closing deals.