How to ‘Dress to Impress’ as an Estate Agent

Copyright John Galfano

I was debating whether to in fact name this article ‘How not to dress like the typical Estate Agent‘ as many people will, I am sure agree, that we can usually spot the typical estate agent walking about in town (yes, those days when walking around town freely was allowed and norm prior COVID-19)!

Many men that work in estate agency, and certainly those younger ones, would have that estate agent look about them, the standard suit, the white shirt and standard tie, the cheaper plastic sole shoes and maybe that flashy hair style. From entering many estate agencies over the years and working alongside them I would say that ladies would have a much more varied selection of fashion in order to look both professional and as best as they can, current in fashion trends as an estate agent. I know the guys will be saying that “hey, we’ve only really suits to rely on here“, but nonetheless there is a way to look neat and tidy as well as trendy and current in fashion.

Estate Agents should not all look the same

Estate Agents should try to not all look the same!

 

I’m not fashion guru, I’ll stick to Champagne and sparkling wines which is vast enough thanks, so I thought I would get the feedback from a top ‘expert’ in this area and someone who I have been following for a while now and taking many tips from. We of course all want to look good, to appear at our best, though sometimes we just need that helping hand…

Ideas for Spring time fashion by ‘40 Over Fashion‘ Youtube Channel

 

If you are browsing fashion ideas and how to present yourself to look good via YouTube, especially for those of us who are middle aged, then it is highly likely you will have come across a video from John Galfano. With a fast growing channel and countless videos done already covering many relevant topics, John’s business 40 Over Fashion, is one of the most popular reference points for those of us looking to improve our appearance.

I feel that most guys want to dress better, but they don’t know how, so they fail to try or participate at all. Like it or not, we’re all judged on first impressions. Make sure your first impression is a good one.John Galfano

 

I put the question to John – How can guys make themselves more successful in business by how they dress?

Here is John’s reply:

Hi Christopher,
Thanks for reaching out!
I believe there’s a balance in how you present yourself based on the demographic that you’re serving. For example, if you’re selling high-end commercial properties, I might assume a more elevated dress code that if you were involved in moderate residential real estate.
Years ago when I ran a commercial photo studio, clients would find me online and come to my studio. I had to put myself in their shoes and ask myself what it must be like walking into the studio of someone they’ve never met. For example, I used to photograph head-shots for authors, actors and real estate agents, many of which were female. It was always very important to me that I made them feel as comfortable as possible right from the start. If they walked into my studio and my appearance looked sloppy, what message would I be sending? I may be the most talented photographer on the planet, but if I looked like I didn’t care about myself, how could I expect them to feel comfortable and also provide reassurance that they made the right decision in hiring me?
Think of it another way.. If you need to have your home furnace repaired and you hire a repairman. Guy #1 shows up in a beat-up vehicle with torn, dirty clothes, a messy appearance and a old tool belt. Guy #2 shows up in a clean vehicle wearing a uniform and spreads out a bunch of professional-looking diagnostic equipment. Which guy would you feel more comfortable working on your furnace? Maybe Guy #1 has more experience and all it takes is a screwdriver to fix it, but the more professional guy projects a level of confidence and comfort. He may also be able to command a higher price for his service with perceived value, even if he never uses his fancy equipment.
You also have to consider the demographic you’re serving and not go overboard. You still want to be relatable and not dress so well that you project arrogance. Clients and customers still need to relate to you and see themselves in you, but also recognise your confidence, professionalism and success. Pay close attention to not only what you wear, but how those pieces fit your body type.
I hope that was helpful Christopher! Thanks again for allowing me to put some of my thoughts into this email. Be well!

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

2026 Will Test BTR’s Potential and Government’s Resolve

By Justine Edmonds, Head of Build to Rent / Leasing Strategies, LRG Throughout 2025 I have spent hours in meetings with and on discussion panels with institutional investors, developers and local authorities. And everything I’ve picked up on in the last year suggests that 2026 will be a crossroads for Build to Rent (BTR). The…
Read More
Breaking News

December Cash Buyers on the Decline

So is a sale before Christmas still possible? New analysis from Springbok Properties reveals that the number of cash buyers declines in December, so any sellers who are keen to secure a quick sale ahead of Christmas might need to explore different avenues. Springbok Properties have studied historic data on the estimated number of cash…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 10/12/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Fine & Country welcomes back Managing Director Nicky Stevenson  Fine & Country is pleased to announce the return of Managing Director, Nicky Stevenson, following her maternity leave. Stevenson, who has played a central role in driving the brand’s growth and strengthening its position in…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental demand drops to six-year low

Rental demand drops to six-year low as supply improves and rental growth slows to 2.2 per cent reports Zoopla   Demand for rented homes has fallen by a fifth over the last year and is the lowest for six years. There are 15% more homes for rent than last year, boosting choice for renters UK…
Read More
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Christmas move-in rush drives short-term rental spikes

Christmas move-in rush drives short-term rental spikes, while year-on-year affordability remains largely unchanged Year-on-year trends remain relatively stable, with most regions showing small changes in rent levels and required salaries. Short-term rental volatility is now the dominant driver of affordability shifts, with North East, Wales, South West, Yorkshire & Humberside, and parts of the Midlands…
Read More
Breaking News

Dwelly reveals the strongest rental market for current returns

The latest research from Dwelly has highlighted which pockets of the British rental market are currently providing landlords with the greatest returns, helping them combat the incoming tax hikes announced in last week’s Autumn Budget. Dwelly analysed the latest Government house price data alongside the most recent rental market figures from the ONS to identify…
Read More