It’s no secret that what we put on on a daily basis can affect our mood. But did you know that your clothes actually determine your level of self-confidence? Numerous studies have shown the link between the way we dress and the impact this has on our self-esteem.
The thing is, many of us don’t realize just how immense this impact can be. Our clothes are powerful tools of communication, and they play a key role in how we, and others, view ourselves. Of course, it goes without saying that our clothes shouldn’t define our worth. That said, we do live in a world where how we dress matters, and presentation is everything.
Whether you’re looking to step up your style game or are simply curious to see the impact clothes have on our self-confidence, these next few paragraphs will explain why we should all be putting a bit more effort into our clothing choices.
The way you dress determines how you’re addressed
In an ideal world, we could all dress the way we wanted to without fearing other people’s judgment. In reality, though, our clothes very much determine the way other people treat us. This is why we hear the phrase “Dress for success” so often. This is also the reason why workplaces have their own dress codes everyone’s expected to follow, and why we tend to dress up when we’re looking to leave a good impression and dress down when we’re at home.
Someone who’s looking to appear more professional or climb up the corporate ladder simply can not afford to look sloppy. Instead, they should always aim to look polished and put together, taking a style cue from their superiors. By simply making more sophisticated sartorial choices, you could completely change the way you’re addressed by those around you.
The right clothes can do the talking for you
Everything you put on tells something about you. Be it a particular piece of jewelry or a garment, our sartorial choices send a message that’s loud and clear. The wonderful thing about it is that it’s up to us to determine what we want that message to be. It is up to us to decide about the image we’d like to project to the world around us.
For some, that would include investing in Designer Clothing for Women to invoke feelings of strength, authority, and financial success. For others, this would mean focusing on the style, silhouette, color, and fit without paying too much attention to brands.
Either way, when used wisely, your clothes can do all the talking for you. And while figuring out what works best for you may take a while, once you do, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what your clothing choices can help you accomplish.
Our clothes can change the way we behave
How well we perform and how we feel in general is largely determined by our level of self-confidence. When we wear clothes that make us feel good, we tend to perceive ourselves as more confident. This does not only change our perception, but it also affects the way we behave.
According to research conducted by Professor Karen Pine at the University of Hertfordshire, clothes can influence our mental processes. In her book, the professor suggests that certain garments such as white coats can enhance a person’s mental agility.
Another study conducted at Northwestern University concluded that sometimes, clothes don’t even matter all that much compared to the symbolic meaning they have. Researchers found that participants who were made to think they were wearing a lab coat performed better compared to individuals who wore the exact same thing but were made to believe that they wore an artist’s coat.
Our clothes affect how others perceive us
Not only do our clothes determine how we feel about ourselves, but they also affect other people’s perceptions of us. With a simple glance at our clothing choices, other individuals form instant opinions about us, judging us by our appearance. So, what does this have to do with our confidence?
Well, the way we look can, in fact, determine how trustworthy and authoritative we appear to other people. According to NRCC (National Research Council of Canada), our appearance has a significant impact on how we’re perceived in terms of assertiveness, intelligence, and work role suitability.
Wear the type of clothes that will show your authentic self, and they’ll do the talking for you. That way, you can manage to invoke the feelings you’re aiming for, thus influencing others’ impressions of you.
Wrapping up
Clothes are a powerful tool we all have at our disposal. The best thing about it is, we can all use them to our advantage if we just make an effort. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to making better sartorial choices that will truly reflect who you are as a person as well as your confidence.
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