First impressions are all important. When you first meet someone you have a unique opportunity to imprint on them who are you. Time will allow them to get to know you better and it will either solidify or undermine that first impression, but in that initial moment of meeting they’ll make important judgements about you.
If you’re interviewing for a job or pitching for a contract, it’s that first impression that dictates at least whether they’re going to dismiss you out of hand or give you that all important fair hearing, even if it can’t guarantee you success. You have to make good on that first impression with confidence and good experience to discuss, but if you’ve dressed like a confident professional, you’ll be treated like a confident professional and that makes it easier to be a confident professional.
This puts the power in your hands: You choose how you want to be treated and dress accordingly. As long as you can walk the walk to match your outfit long enough, you’ll register just how want and that aspiration will be reinforced by the other person.
If you’re planning on getting fit in the new year but you’re feeling intimidated by the gym, give yourself some sartorial armour: an outfit from an online athleisure boutique like Blood Brother will make you look and feel the part, so you’ll be less worried about doubtful looks when you head in to register for your orientation on January 1st.
The important thing is to know the impact you want to create and work back from that to dress accordingly. To do that successfully you need to know what will be effective for you: if you’re looking for a new job or a promotion then tightening up your professional look will help you be taken seriously. But you need to do that within the culture that you want to succeed in: if you’re aiming at an innovative start up, try to get a read on their company culture as showing up to interview in a three piece suit might make you look staid and stuffy, rather than professional and reliable.
Specifics are the most important thing: dressing for success has to be carefully and specifically defined if you want to do it effectively. Success in what field, and in whose eyes? Imagine you’re making an advert: to sell the product – yourself – you need to know who you’re marketing it to, and what appeals to them. Then you can make sure you’re presenting that product in the most attractive possible packaging!