Some people don’t put much thought into getting dressed in the morning. They just throw on whatever is clean, whatever is comfortable, whatever is nearby and easy to throw on. For some people, the logic is that their outward appearance should not matter. But in reality, for better or for worse, your clothes make a statement to the people you encounter during the day. Whether or not it should be this way, people make assumptions about each other based on the way they are dressed.
Sometimes our clothes identify us as a part of a certain culture. Examine the way you respond to people who are dressed certain ways. What do you think if you see someone dressed in a black helmet, a bomber jacket and motorcycle boots? You probably assume that they belong to the biker subculture and that they ride a motorcycle. If you see a teenager with green spiky hair, a lot of piercings, and a denim jacket with patches sewn on, you might assume that that they consider themselves a member of the punk rock culture. These are examples of the ways that our clothes send certain signals about us.
Some outfits cause people to assume that we listen to a certain type of music. A woman with big hair in jeans tucked into tall brown boots, wearing a cowboy hat and a jacket with fringe across the front probably likes country music. And you might assume that a guy with baggy pants, an oversized t-shirt and colorful sneakers is a hiphop fan.
Likewise, the things that we choose not to wear convey messages as well. People who are vegan do not wear anything that is made from animals. A pure vegan would not wear a leather watch, leather boots, or anything made from fur. Instead, they would choose materials like cotton or synthetic fabrics.
We cannot get away from the fact that our clothes send certain signals. If you wear only neutral colors and clothes that are baggy and hide your shape, it sends the message that you want to hide in some way. People may assume that you are uncomfortable with your body, or that you simply want to avoid drawing any kind of attention to yourself. When you are getting dressed, take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself the following questions.
What does this outfit say about me?
Are these the things that I want people to think about me?
If the answer to the second question is no, consider changing. Obviously, you should not attempt to convey false messages with your clothes. They should be a true reflection of who you are. But most people do not truly want to blend into the background. We all have unique things we can show to the world through the way we dress. Think of your clothes as a form of art. Choose colors that you like. Choose clothes that will make you feel happy and confident when you get a glimpse of yourself in the mirror during the day. If you dress in a manner that is a reflection of who you are, people will be more likely to respond to you in the ways that you want them to.
