We are a visual society that makes snap judgements about everything based on appearance. When you pick produce at the store you look for the shiniest apples without bruises. The same hold true regarding people. You judge people every day by their overall appearance and they in turn judge you. You decide in the blink of an eye if this person might be trusted and is worthy of your business. Appearance really matters because it expresses who you are, effects your state of mind, and how others perceive you. Your appearance which includes how you dress influences your choice of occupation, your business success, and your status in life.
Here are 10 reasons that stress the psychology of dressing well:
Visual communication- Communication is everything you do visually which includes your appearance and dress. Dress is a silent language, full of meaning and nuances that come in all shapes and sizes, colors, and textures. The way you present yourself to the world sends a message about who you are, how you feel, and your self- worth.
“It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances”, said Oscar Wilde
Shaping Identity– Fashion comes and goes every season, however style is the essence of who you are and remains constant as part of your identity. Clothing is one of the most important ways of expressing identity because it’s full of signs, codes, and meanings. What you wear identifies you as part of a group, culture, and your status in society. For example, NBA players wear identical jerseys, and a sari immediately identifies a female as Indian. Nowadays, the price of the garment and accessories indicate the social status of belonging to upper class such as wearing a Rolex watch.
Self-Affirmations– Affirmations are short, positive statements that replace negative thoughts with better ones to improve your self-esteem, mood, and overall quality of life. Your dress is a form of self-affirmation. When you look better, you feel better which creates a positive cycle of self-affirmation. Your mood for the day is set in your closet with what you select to wear. You’ll either feel like a confident rockstar or an inferior wannabe, and you day will follow suit.
Strategic Dressing- Dressing strategically moves you forward in life and involves two concepts- dressing to highlight the parts you want to emphasize and deciding on what message you want to convey. When you dress with intention, you control the side of yourself that you want to feature. You can emphasize your narrowest part with a studded belt or lengthen your leg line with a long skirt covering high heels. Your clothes convey the impression that you are capable and credible.
Promote Yourself- Your clothes speak a silent language so carefully create the message you want others to receive, especially if you are seeking a promotion. Clothing can enhance your psychological state, impact personality development, and even improve your performance on tasks. When you look like a leader, you behave like a leader and ultimately get paid like a leader.
Color Power- Colors influence your thinking, inspire decision-making, and impact your moods. Each color you wear portrays a quality and sends a message about you. For example, blue denotes calm, responsible and trustworthiness which are traits embraced by sales professionals.
Releasing the Old– It’s time to stop wearing clothes from another period of your life. Even if the memories are healthy ones, the physical garments probably have no place in your wardrobe today.
Altering Mood- The use of psychology of dressing triggers feelings. When you don’t feel well put on your favorite outfit and color to uplift your spirits. When you wear an old tee shirt and sweats you continue to feel miserable.
Money Matters- Selecting clothes that position you as the expert in your field pays off in the way of promotions, closed deals, and sales. Always dress for the position you want, not the one you currently hold.
Future You– Bring on the new outfits that embody the person you need to become to step into the life you want to lead. Ask yourself the following question. Does your clothing reflect the personality you’re becoming to achieve the job and life you want? How you dress is a powerful indicator to others, your colleagues and board of directors, as to where you want your life to lead.
You cannot fail to communicate something, because everything that is visual sends a message.
What steps regarding dress are you going to take to better communicate with the world about who you are? Please share any discoveries with us.