Dictionary.com defines the word “signature” as “serving to identify or distinguish a person or group.” In this case, what it means to have a signature style is to have a style that reflects your personality and the image you want to give off. What I mean by this statement is that a friend or loved one should be able to see an item of clothing and say, “My friend X would totally love/wear this!” Similarly, your clothing should reflect your career and your goals.
You style is a reflection of your personal brand
Most people don’t think much about it, but you are a walking billboard. Everything you do and every piece of information you put out there is part of your personal brand, and it’s important for everything to reflect the same image and vibe. When you have a signature style of clothing, it helps you create a successful personal brand. This goes along with other factors of personal branding such as your confidence, your elevator pitch, and your ability to establish rapport with others, however your clothing and your style is the first impression that people get from you, so it’s extremely important.
You have the power to change how people see you
Never forget that you have the power to change how people see you. It’s really empowering when you realize that you control everything you put out there including how people see you and what perception you give off. When you have a signature style, it means that you have created a memorable image of yourself and have established a lasting impression on others.
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!
In Jennifer J. Baumgartner’s book, You are what You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal about You, she explains that, “Our closets are windows into our internal selves. Every one of us attempts to say or hide something in the way we wear our clothes.” Use your clothing to positively affect your personal brand by taking the opportunity to show people who you are and what kind of person you want to be.
Why dressing for success is important
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 in how you think and how you speak. 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.
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Having a signature style doesn’t have to mean that you stick with a certain brand or color scheme within your wardrobe, but it means that your style is reflective of your personality and goals. If your clothing doesn’t reflect these factors, your personal brand will not be as cohesive and will lack focus. When you think about your clothing and your sense of style, think about what you want your clothing to say about you and go from there. If you think that your clothing is giving off the wrong message, it may be time to rethink your wardrobe and freshen things up!