Why What We Wear Matters

I have always enjoyed putting outfits together and choosing what to wear for various occasions is a source of pleasure rather than stress. However, I know this is far from the case for many people.

When I was working in the corporate world, an image consultant presented at one of our meetings. The tips she gave seemed pretty obvious to me but for many of my colleagues they were an absolute revellation! It turned out that they expended a lot of time and angst on deciding what to wear and never felt they got it quite right. I realised then that there was a market for my skills and twenty years later (I’m not one to make rash decisions!) I decided to retrain as a personal stylist. Best career choice I ever made!

If you think that what you wear is unimportant and that spending time on your wardrobe is a bit frivolous and self-indulgent, think again!

First Impressions

Like it or not, we are judged on how we look – generally within a matter of seconds. This may seem rather unfair, even shallow, but the reality is that we simply don’t have the time (or inclination) to really get to know everyone we meet, so we take clues from how they present themselves. Based on this, we may make judgements on a person’s socio-economic status, personality and self-esteem. Therefore it makes sense to ensure that our appearance is working for us, rather than against us.

The Halo Effect

Looking good brings considerable benefits in life. The “halo effect” whereby people who are seen as being attractive are more likely to be perceived as trustworthy and friendly is well documented. Whilst not everyone is naturally good looking, we can all make ourselves look more attractive by paying attention to grooming and what we wear.

 Confidence Boost

Knowing that you look good is a real confidence boost. I have clients who have previously felt uncomfortable in gatherings because they’ve been unhappy about how they look and have felt out of place. This has held them back professionally and socially. Once they’ve learned how they can look their best, they’ve felt much more confident to put themselves forward. This has led to more successful relationships and helped them to to achieve their career objectives.

Clothes Maketh The Man – And Woman!

Clothes are a form of self-expression.  They can help us present an authentic and positive version of ourself.  Why not choose to wear outfits that fit and flatter, that reflect our personality and make us feel good?  In this way, we can show the world that we value ourselves and that they should value us too. Marilyn Monroe had it about right when she said. “Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world”

Whilst what we wear is certainly important to how we feel about ourselves and how we are perceived by others, the last thing I want anyone to do is spend a lot of time worrying about it!  Once you know what works for you, getting dressed is speedy and stress-free and your wardrobe becomes a source of joy and empowerment. If you’d like my help, do get in touch.