The Psychology of Dressing for Success

We all have that one outfit we always pull whenever we want to feel great, whether it be the fantastic red dress that hits us in all of the right places or the navy blue power suit that gives us the extra boost to land that big contract.

It’s our “go-to outfit” and it makes us feel like we can conquer the world!

I have an outfit like that too. It’s a vintage Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and, whenever I wear it, people invariably say one of the following things to me:

-Have you lost weight?

-Did you get your hair cut?

-You look so well-rested!

-Have you been on vacation?

-You look fantastic!

Needless to say, after so much positive attention, I feel like a million bucks and have a spring in my step for the rest of the day! But why is that? The answer lies at the crossroads of fashion and psychology.

Now, I am in no way claiming to be a psychologist. I am a certified image consultant and stylist, with a BA in Modern Language, Literature & Linguistics and a background in the hospitality industry and the performing arts! But I am also an exceptional listener and a keen observer, paying very close attention to fashion trends and to the changing fashion climate in the workplace. More importantly, I pay attention to what my clients tell me about their fashion experiences, both positive and negative.

What I hear my clients say most about fashion is that they just don’t get it.

They don’t understand how to translate what they see in stores and magazines to their own lives and, particularly, to the workplace. They see their stylish co-workers put together outfits that seemingly equate to a free pass to the board room; meanwhile, they are struggling to be seen as more than just the inhabitant of a cubicle. They hear phrases like “dress for success” but they don’t know what that even means. Their intentions are good but their execution is flawed.

In a perfect world, we would all be judged by the quality of our work and the content of our character.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case and, like it or not, appearances do matter. People are often passed over for jobs simply because they do not look the part or do not fit in with the corporate culture. However, this problem is not insurmountable. In fact, the fix is quite simple, yet transformative, and comes in two parts: fashion and psychology.

Think about your “go-to outfit.”

Does it fit you perfectly, like it was tailor-made just for you? Is the style current, without being super trendy? Is the colour flattering to your skin tone? Shape, style, and colour are the key elements to consider when choosing any outfit. If you can determine what shapes, styles and colours suit you best, you are leaps and  bounds ahead of most people. That’s the fashion part!

Now think about how you present yourself when you wear your “go-to outfit.”

Do you walk a little taller? Do you keep your head held high and your shoulders back? Do you smile more? Do you exude an air of confidence? Do people seem to notice you all of a sudden? If so, why wouldn’t you want to feel that way every day, in every outfit? When we look good, we feel good. It’s as simple as that. That’s the psychology part!

Many people choose to remain behind the scenes. They are happy to blend in and don’t want to be noticed. Their personal stylistic choices often reflect that mindset and I fully respect that. Other people don’t care at all about the world of fashion. They have their own personal sense of taste and style and are very content with their wardrobe. Again, I fully respect that. Perhaps this blog post is not for you. But, if you do feel that your choice of attire is holding you back professionally, or if you’re looking to break out of a fashion rut and require some help, you are not alone.

Personal style and fashion are not as frivolous, or as unimportant, as you might believe.

People make assumptions about us based upon how we present ourselves. Not only do other people notice the physical aspects of our appearance, but they can sense the intangible aspects as well. Just as dogs can sense fear, your co-workers (particularly your boss) can sense your level of self-confidence. Making intelligent fashion choices can go a long way to increasing that confidence. Think of fashion as a non-verbal cue: you are “telling” people what to think of you by what you choose to wear.

I’m not advocating throwing out everything you own.

I’m not suggesting spending money you don’t have. I’m certainly not saying that your boss isn’t a complete jerk for not promoting you, simply due to the way you look! What I am saying is this: you have to buy clothes anyway, so you should buy items that flatter you, highlight your physical attributes, and diminish any problem areas. (And we all have problem areas.) The ensuing boost to your confidence level is an added bonus!

If you are sincerely looking to advance in your chosen field, try your best to dress for the job you want, instead of the job you have, and dress appropriately for the culture in which you work.

Ultimately, your skills and your hard work will lead to career advancement, as you cannot rely solely upon an impressive wardrobe! You can, however, get noticed, both personally and professionally, by enhancing your physical presence through your fashion choices. The rest is up to you.