Attire sends a signal.

• I’m serious about my job.

• I’m relaxing.

• I care about fashion.

• I’m formal, but not too formal.

• I belong to a certain group of people.

Depending on who you are and what you do, clothing choices can be significant.

But it’s important to remember that these uniforms are little more than decoration.

The actual work is what matters. Your shirt and tie may prompt a certain social dynamic, but it doesn’t gift you with business acumen … just as a mock turtleneck doesn’t mean you’re an effective tech leader, and a whistle doesn’t make you an effective sports coach.

We can choose to dress the part if we want, but playing the part — doing the job that’s required — that’s what really matters.