It is a proven fact that dressing well can take you places.
We live in a society were perception of an individual is based on what they see. So why is it important to ensure that you dress for the role you aspire?
Fashion is a choice and for many people a way of life. But for others, including me, fashion is a part of our daily lives, whether we like it or not. A significant part of being a leader is dressing the part. The role of a leader is instantly attributed to individuals that look like and act like leaders. In short, the clothes we wear encapsulate the persona that people will perceive and associate with our character and position in society.
Having and knowing how to dress, is not only for strict fashion stylists, fashion designers or image consultants. Understanding the importance of dress code in the 21st century is key on our journey to greatness. The clothes we wear send a powerful message to people in projecting our perceived self-image. The science of physiology has shown that the clothes an individual wears can affect behaviour, attitudes, personality, mood, confidence and the way we others relate with them.
Having and knowing how to dress, is not only for strict fashion stylists, fashion designers or image consultants. Understanding the importance of dress code in the 21st century is key on our journey to greatness. The clothes we wear send a powerful message to people in projecting our perceived self-image. The science of physiology has shown that the clothes an individual wears can affect behaviour, attitudes, personality, mood, confidence and the way we others relate with them.
As a leader or an individual aspiring to be in a leadership position, one needs to understand that clothing is your second skin and your dressing sense will speak volumes of your personality and what you stand for. Therefore, don’t wear anything just because its trending or because others are also wearing it. Find the outfit that fits you for the occasion and reveals your personality.
Self Esteem in Relation to Fashion
Fashion influences our daily lives and one of the common influences of fashion is our perspective towards various clothing, shoes, and accessories we wear. We often become ultra-careful on what we put on ourselves on a daily basis.
In fact, most of us spend lots of time deciding on what to wear for the day just to avoid criticism. Basically, most of us do not want to be judged by others on how bad we look and our self-esteem is at times dependent on praise from others and its inevitable to spend hours deciding what to wear for fear of not being noticed, praised or worst of all – ignored. My advice is, take care not to build your self-esteem on what other people think of you. Understand who you are, have confidence in your own worth, abilities and the greatness you carry within. In as much as you dress like the leader you are, try and be your most authentic self. Dress to impress you and dress to send the right message to others. Define your brand and celebrate your uniqueness daily.
Don’t Ruin Your Budget
In as much as clothing affects how we are perceived, we should not let this take a good part of our finances. While looking good may sound harmless, it can actually give headaches financially. Always remember that you can still look great without breaking your bank account. Make sure to set a spending goal that you can live with.
Most people ask me where I get my clothes from and my answer is, from anywhere as long as I can afford them and I can add character to the clothes. I live within my means.
It is not about how expensive the clothes are or how fancy and popular the clothing brands are but how you wear them to create a unique look. That is what personal style is all about. Being well dressed has got nothing to do with how much the clothes cost.
Thrifting can also be a great way to look great and professional within a budget because your true value does not come from labels or how much something cost you. At the end of it all, the goal is to have financial freedom.
Remember to always dress smart, dress for you, be neat and clean, wear a smile and wear confidence. No fashion house in the world can compete with that.