You Are What You Wear
To celebrate Valentines Day I took my lovely wife out to dinner at a well known, upscale restaurant. I wore a sport coat and a tie and my wife wore a nice dress. I couldn't help but notice sitting across the room a young couple enjoying a date or whatever on Valentine's Day. But what I really noticed was that the young lady was obvioulsy "dressed up" while her date had on a pair of unpressed pants with a button down shirt rolled up at the sleeves and shirt tail hanging out. I couldn't help but wonder if this young lady was embarrassed by the way her date had dressed.
In his book, You Are What You Wear - The Key to Business Success - Bill Thourlby writes that once you walk into a room, even though no one in that room knows you or has seen you before, they will make ten decisions about you based soley on your appearance. They may make many more, but you can be assured that they will make these:
- Your economic level
- Your educational Level
- Your trustworthiness
- Your social position
- Your level of sophistication
- Your economic heritage
- Your social heritage
- Your educational heritage
- Your success
- Your moral character
To be successful in almost any endeavor, you may be sure that these decisions about you are favorable, because in that first impression you make - you are what you wear. Your business card means nothing. What you say my be charming, but it's secondary, your credibility is initially established by the first impression you made through your appearance.
I know there are some out there who say that it's not fair to judge somone by what they wear. They're intersted in the human being inside the clothes. That is a beautiful ideal, but most of us have to compete in this world to achieve some level of success and, whether we like it or not, the world only listens to winners.
There are those who insist that they evaluate a person only after they have gotten to know him or her - then they make a rational judgement. I don't believe it and here's why: because if the guy or gal they are talking about was dressing in an iridescent blue shirt with red double knit pants or wearing a Lady Gaga outfit the first time they met this person, chances are they didn't get their name much less get to know or understand him or her.
My father taught me that I should look at clothes as an investment and I'm glad he did. Believe me, I am not a slave to fashion but I always "play the odds" when deciding how to dress for a business occassion. Socially, I always dress with the thought that I might run into one of my clients or potentail prospects ( and believe me; it happens). I want to be known as a professional person and not as a "character." It's a choice we all make in and out of business.
I'd love to know what you think on this subject.
John,
Hello there! I hope you remember me from your Aerotek days because you sure left an impression on me! I totally agree with your article above on 'You are what you wear'. It is something I do and I make sure that I am always dressed to present the proper impression and meet with anyone at anytime. And besides it has an effect on self respect and confidence as well. It's great to see you are still living the words you speak!
I hope all is well!
Rachel Hamill
Everyone who want get success in their lifes should use all this tips. They will help to get it fastier.