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Article: THE SCIENCE BEHIND DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

THE SCIENCE BEHIND DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

THE SCIENCE BEHIND DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

 

WHAT YOU WEAR MATTERS

In our last post we talked about how to successfully approach a job interview. One of the tricks was to carefully prepare your clothes before the interview to make the best possible impression. Today we're going further to scientifically support the belief that what you wear matters.

Have you ever experienced the feeling of wearing something that makes you walk more decisively and speak more confidently?

THE LOOK AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF CLOTHING

Since the dawn of our existence, men went from dressing out of necessity and practicality to transforming clothing into a status symbol that communicated the position you occupied, the money you had, what your profession was, etc. For example, certain colors (such as purple) and textiles (such as silk) were reserved for the elite or royalty.

Like it or not, "judgment" is part of our society. In 8 seconds people will make a decision about you as soon as they meet you, without knowing anything about you. How was your handshake? your greeting, your clothes...

Today, clothes indicate who you are, what your place in the world is, they even tell your brain what behaviors and traits you should possess while wearing that type of clothing.

The most important thing is not the opinion of others, but the clothes can influence the opinion you have of yourself. The image you create with your clothes can direct your behaviors and actions.

Scientists baptized as "enclothed cognition" the idea that clothes influence the way we think. The clothes we wear, or that others wear, change our thought patterns.


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Think about how vulnerable you feel in a hospital gown. Compare that to how empowered you feel in a nice tailored suit

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THE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE ATTIRE

One scientific study clearly determined that when half of the participants were given doctor's lab coats, they made fewer mistakes and concentrated more and better than the other half who wore street clothes.

In the second part of the experiment, they were all given the same lab coats, but half were told it was a doctor's coat and half were told it was a painter's coat. Those who believed they were wearing a doctor's gown concentrated more and for longer than those wearing the painter's gown.

The research concluded that because doctors are known to be attentive and detail-oriented, those wearing the doctor's lab coat began to adopt similar "medical" traits. That is, they embodied the expectations of the attire.

And this is not the only study that shows that people "live up" to the ideas of their attire. Formal business attire feels more powerful, in control of the situation, especially when doing cognitive processing.

Relatively formal clothing is associated with more abstract processing in everyday life, which is related to thinking necessary for executive and leadership functions. This does not eliminate "casual Fridays" but clearly supports "dressing well" when you have important work to do.

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Studies show that the right clothes can improve creativity, concentration and negotiation skills. It even influences your posture, body language, motivation and mood
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The studies may not have convinced you, but consider this:

  • 41% of employers say that people who dress better or more professionally are promoted more often within an organization.
  • Improving your wardrobe can earn you on average 5% more than the previous year.
  • More than 50% of hiring managers suggest spending the same amount of time a professional spends on their resume on improving their image.

CAN CLOTHING AFFECT YOUR JOB PERFORMANCE?

The answer is simple: Absolutely yes.

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Think about a day when you've chosen to lounge around at home in your pajamas all day and compare it to a day when you've intentionally dressed well - how are those days different?
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More confidence
Dressing well at work not only improves other people's perception of you, it boosts your self-esteem. Use your attire as another tool to help you take charge of your work and do it with confidence.

More authority
People usually trust more and have more respect for someone who is dressed appropriately at work. The right clothing can make someone more authoritative and take on more responsibility.

More motivation and productivity
The way you dress for work affects your motivation and therefore your productivity. Think about those days of telecommuting during the COVID pandemic and how in your pajamas from home you're not as motivated to do your job well.

More professionalism
If you look the part, you behave accordingly. Because you look more capable and qualified, you behave that way. It also makes you more aware that you are representing a company and that you want to do well.

More attention
Being dressed appropriately for your job can increase your concentration.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR OWN COMPANY OR BUSINESS



Keep these things in mind if you want to determine what your employees will wear in the workplace:

Does it help my employees feel more confident and professional in what they do?
Will it make them proud to represent my company?
What atmosphere do you want to create?
How do you want customers to perceive us, what kind of interaction do we have with them?
Do the expectations we set for work attire help increase the overall morale of my employees or will it feel like a discouraging aspect?
Does it allow me to get the job done comfortably and efficiently?


THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DRESS STYLE THROUGH COLORS



Which color looks good on you today? Which one matches how you feel? Which one makes you feel different or better? Do you feel calm with one color? Do you have feelings of success with another?

These colors tend to send messages related to their qualities:

Black: Power, Mystery, Professionalism
Blue: Loyalty, Stability, Tranquility.
Red: Passion, Intensity
Green: Healing, Success, Hope
Yellow: Happiness, Optimism

If you are wondering if there is a psychology of colors in clothing, the answer is Yes. Knowing the psychology of color in clothing can affect how you feel about yourself about what you wear. You can also choose to wear something red if you feel intense, or something blue if you want to be calmer and find that you feel aggressive. In addition, people who see you will also pick up on that subliminal message to a greater or lesser extent depending on their knowledge of color psychology.

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As such, there is no negative option when it comes to clothing color psychology. There is a wide range of options based on the type of vibe you want to feel and what you want others to experience
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HOW CAN YOU USE FASHION TO YOUR ADVANTAGE?



Clothes can change how others feel about us and how we act. We can subtly "manipulate" situations based on what we wear.

Wearing a good suit is wearing power clothes. It makes you more confident and dominant. It improves your motivation, productivity, thinking and negotiating skills.

Casual clothing makes you friendly, personable and creative. It's perfect for those "casual Fridays". The best day to innovate and brainstorm with your team.

Put on your gym clothes and you just might find the motivation to exercise and make healthy choices. It's not just a reminder, it puts you in the "healthy living" mindset.

Put on the uniform and it instantly puts you in that mindset. The pilot's uniform will put you in commander mode. The lab coat will make you more attentive and focused. This is true for children as well, which is why many schools require uniforms; because through uniforms, a more formal learning environment is created, which adds value to the teaching itself.

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Designer clothing is proven to create a more "stylish" attitude. Luxury clothing contributes to the likelihood of making sound financial decisions
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The colors you wear can stimulate your body and your energy. Darker colors create a more relaxed, less stressful feeling.


CONCLUSION



Whatever you wear does not define your value as a person or human being. However there is an important psychology of clothing that you have to take into account. You don't just decide what to wear, but how you want to feel and that can have a very positive impact on your life.

It is very important to understand that the clothes you wear influence your thoughts and actions, and also how others perceive those thoughts and actions based on what you are wearing.

How do your clothes make you feel? At Seekers we take the psychology of clothing very seriously. Find the jewelry that makes you feel powerful, successful and determined while looking perfect for any occasion.

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