You may be wondering if and how clothing affects communication, and I’m here to explain it to you. First impressions mean a lot. You might not want to admit it, but deep down you know that this is true. Think about how often we judge people almost immediately based on their appearance. Clothing is a tool which can help you take control of how people see you and manipulate their viewpoint. Do you want to appear as a strong, knowledgeable, and confident individual? Your clothing can help with that!
Today, clothing seems to be getting more and more casual. Between the rise of tech companies and their casual dress code, along with the more universal business casual standard most offices uphold, dressing formally seems to be a dying art. In the 50’s people actually used to get dressed up when flying on a plane. It was a glamorous event which required people to put thought and effort into their look, not just throw on a pair of sweats and hit the road.
People in business and people of authority always wore suits and clothing of that standard to command respect. While it’s not necessary to dress up for every outing, perhaps it’s time to look at style from the past to see how clothing affects communication.
You will be judged on your appearance, so take advantage of it. Whether or not it’s right, it is human nature to judge others based on their clothing and appearance. Since this is a known fact, take advantage of it and dress to impress. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend a lot of money on high end designer clothing, however you should be dressing in clothing that is flattering and appropriate. If you’re going to a meeting, opt for a pair of fitted slacks instead of jeans. It’s a simple switch that will immediately make you appear more professional and more authoritative. Similarly, by switching out a sweater for a blazer, you will make your look more cohesive and command more respect.
Think About What Your Grandparents Would Say: This sounds silly at first, but when getting dressed for work, think about how your grandparents would comment on the outfit. Older people will almost always tell the truth and be blunt about their opinion, and while they may not be right about everything, they will almost always tell you straight up if an outfit is appropriate or not. Would your grandma tell you that your skirt is too short? Or tell you to put on a decent blazer for an interview? If so, listen to that inner advice and dress up a bit more. My grandmother has always lived by the motto that you can never be overdressed, and it’s almost always been right! Keep in mind that you want to remain appropriate, (i.e. don’t wear a ball gown or a tuxedo to work) however a suit will always be considered appropriate workwear. Even if others are dressing casual, chances are that if you dress to impress, you will be able to communicate more effectively and command more respect than those in jeans and a t-shirt.
Dress for the Job You Want, Not the Job You Have: You’ve probably heard this before, but there’s a reason why it keeps coming up! Work hard, be respectful of others, and dress as if you’re the boss. Eventually, your hard work will pay off and you’ll get there, so you might as well start dressing like the boss from day one. There’s something empowering about dressing up. It changes your demeanor and gives off an air of importance. I often tell clients to dress up for phone interviews, because it makes a difference. We’re often able to think more clearly and efficiently when dressed in workwear because it differentiates us from a more laid back and social environment in which one would wear casual clothing.
When you’re wondering how clothing affects communication, think about how you want people to see you, how you want to portray yourself to the world, and how efficient you want to be. Chances are that if you want to be successful, dressing in more formal workwear will help you achieve your goal and communicate this objective to others.
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