Do you want to boost your confidence, get better treatment and achieve your goals faster! You should start with what you can easily control: dress so well that you become the object of favours and 7-star courtesies.
When you are dressed to the nines and spiffy, even before you say anything, you are already scoring high points on many fronts.
Carefully choosing our garments, obeying the rules of fashion and style and opting for winner ensembles give us a head start and a huge edge. From how we feel about ourselves, the benefits garnered at work to favours in interpersonal relationships, we enjoy more by putting our best foot forward.
Leader of faithful fashionistas and French legend of style, Coco Chanel (1883–1971), captured the essence of dressing well robustly: ‘Dress shabilly and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.’
Dressing well has numerous advantages:
1. It boosts confidence: wearing clothes that fit and look good make you feel more confident and self-assured.
2. You make a good impression: dressing appropriately for occasions shows respect and creates a positive impression on others.
3. It enhances professionalism: dressing professionally increases credibility and perceived competence in a work setting.
4. It improves mental health: wearing comfortable and uplifting clothes improves mood and reduces stress.
5. It multiplies respect: people will treat you with more respect when you dress well, as it shows you value yourself and the occasion.
6. It enables self-expression: apparels can be a creative outlet and a way to express personality and individuality.
7. It gives you social advantages: dressing well can open doors to new social opportunities and connections.
8. It fast tracks personal growth: developing a personal style can be a fun and empowering experience.
9. It’s practical and economical: investing in quality clothes can save time and money in the long run.
10. It has the feel-good factor: wearing clothes that make you feel good can enhance your overall well-being and happiness.
11. It builds trust: dressing professionally can establish trust with clients, customers, or patients.
12. It enhances creativity: wearing inspiring clothes can stimulate creativity and imagination.
13. It supports personal branding and development: consistent style can reinforce personal values and professional image, which can be transformative.
14. It fosters a sense of belonging: dressing appropriately for a group or community can create a sense of belonging.
15. It improves communication: dressing appropriately can facilitate effective communication and understanding.
16. It reflects personality traits: dressing style can reflect personality traits like attention to detail, organization, or boldness.
The iconic French designer of Algerian descent, Yves Saint Lauren (1936–2008), highlighted three fundamental functions of fashion: ‘I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women beautiful, but also to reassure them, give them confidence.’
Studies over the years convincingly support the merits of dressing well:
o A Yale study in 2014 had 128 men between ages 18 and 32 take part in fake buying and selling transactions, and found that those who dressed in suits and ties earned an average of $2.1 million – over three times more than the average of $680,000 earned by those dressed in sweatpants and sandals.
o A 2019 study in the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management found that dressing well can increase perceived trustworthiness and credibility.
o A 2018 study in the Journal of Business Research revealed that dressing professionally can increase perceived competence and job suitability.
o A 2017 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology showed that dressing well can increase confidence and reduce stress in job interviews.
o A 2016 study in the Journal of Fashion Psychology corroborated that dressing well can increase self-esteem and body satisfaction.
o A 2015 study in the Journal of Consumer Research proved that dressing well can increase perceived social status and respect from others.
75 year-old Miuccia Prada, the youngest granddaughter of Prada founder (Mario Prada) whose life has been dedicated to fashion and style since 1970 when she joined the wondrously successful international brand, introduced a clearer perspective: ‘What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is an instant language.’
Dressing well is more than looking good. It’s also self-care, self-expression, and self-respect. It has an enormous impact on our lives—from personal growth to professional success!
–Kunle Bakare for Omoluwabi by KB (21.06.2024)
