Why is it important to dress well?
Observing people and seeing how they are different has always
intrigued me. One’s appearance invariably becomes the window through which the
world looks at them. Interestingly, it may occasionally also become the
deciding factor for prospects at work. Aside, some of us definitely invest in
perfection, including perfection in how we pull ourselves together every
morning. The idea is that if appearance has such a huge role to play in so many
areas of one’s life, including boosting self-confidence, then why should it be
so difficult to do?
When I talk about the importance of dressing well, I am not
referring to the professional context only. It is something that extends to all
areas of your life since your clothes are a large part of who you are as a
person. It not only makes you feel good but can also largely influence your
interaction/equation with people.
Here
are few more compelling reasons that will help rest my case!
It lets
you focus on important stuff
When
you are dressed in well-fitted comfortable clothes that are truly meant for
you, you’re undistracted. This also means that it keeps you focussed on getting
the important stuff done.
It
helps you break stereotypes
Its been proven by research that a whopping 65 per cent of
working women feel that their subordinates do not take them seriously in a
corporate set up. Although power dressing may not change this scenario
overnight, it is definitely a small but sincere start!
You
feel the way you dress
Your
clothes not only add to your presentation, but also contribute to your
behaviour therefore defining your body language. When you look confident and
approachable, you become more confident and approachable. Various studies
including one by Joy V. Peluchette and Katherine Karl on ‘The impact of
workplace attire on employee self-perceptions’ show that “Respondents felt most
authoritative, trustworthy, and competent when wearing formal business attire.”
You never know who you may run into
On a
lighter note, imagine yourself dressed shabbily at work only to run into an
ex-flame or a freshly recruited Greek god. It may not only ruin your chances of
getting noticed but may also put a permanent end to things before they start.
Now who could’ve thought being underdressed could cost one so much?
Finally,
first impressions matter!
Visual
associations subconsciously go a long way and we have very little control over
it. When you dress well, you are simply using this subliminal power of
association to your advantage. In this fast-paced world, you’re given precious
little seconds to make an impression. Thirty seconds to be precise, if various
studies are to be believed. When you meet someone for the first time, the
impression they carry of you lasts a while, so why not leave a mark?
Having listed so many logical reasons to dress well, the one
factor that personally overrides all others is that ‘priceless high’ you get
out of just looking good. So ladies, pepper up your style a bit and get that
magic going already!
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