If a picture is worth a thousand words, it's no wonder we quickly get a novel’s worth of assumptions about someone based on their appearance. Whether that snap judgment is correct or not remains to be seen, but it can’t be denied that first impressions (generally made from someone’s outward appearance) stick around for a while.
Clothing is a linchpin of the first impression. What you wear can send a message that you’re part of the following camps:
The Athlete
You know the girl who always looks like she’s ready to hit the track. She can most often be found sporting a t-shirt with her hair pulled back. Whether it’s her new Nikes or her white Adidas, she’s always wearing sneakers, too. She is competitive and strong.
The Go-Getter
The girl who means business can be found at the front of the room, leading. She is all action. You can count on her when things need to be done. She has an assortment of blazers she pairs with trousers or skirts. Her hair is always on point. She is poised, punctual, and dependable.
The Perfectionist
Every group has the girl who is always put together. She never has a bad hair day. She is a whiz at eyeliner, and her nails are always just right. She wears the latest trends, and each outfit is carefully coordinated and cared for. She exudes an air of having everything in her life put together and organized.
Dress for the Day You Deserve
While you don’t need to dress to impress others, we believe you should dress well for yourself. Part of that is making sure that what you wear is consistent with your style, personality, and capabilities.
This can be good for letting people know who you are and what you expect out of life. It can also be good for your own sense of well-being. Let’s say you rush out the door for a DST event looking frumpy and unkempt. It will be hard to feel as good as you do when you wear well-fitting DST apparel in a style that is true to your inner self, be it jeans and a DST t-shirt or dress pants and a sleek DST tunic.
As you consider what to wear on any given day, keep these tips in mind:
- Dress for what you want. Manifest it. If you want the CEO job, dress for the CEO job. Set goals for yourself, and go after them. If where you want to end up has a certain aesthetic, pull that into your life right now. You will see yourself achieving those goals, and others will see it in you, too.
- Dress for your mental health. When you look good, you feel good. Although dressing up isn’t a cure for depression, it can help. Getting dressed, groomed, and presentable can help you feel better about yourself. (And sis, if you’re battling depression, make an appointment with a therapist to help you navigate these tricky waters as soon as you can. You deserve to feel good.)
- Dress for your self-esteem. If you are struggling with low self-esteem, maybe your closet needs a little refresh. Wearing tired or worn-out clothes can make you feel less than ideal about yourself. Finding a few new pieces of clothing that make you feel beautiful can help you exude confidence, whether you feel it or not.
- Dress for symbolism. Wear your heart on your sleeve, or rather, across your chest. You can represent your favorite sports team, alma mater, travels, or sorority. Wearing items like Delta Sigma Theta jackets gives everyone a peek into your personality and what makes you tick. That can solidify your identity and lead you to like-minded friends.
- Dress for your body now. Bodies change. Whether it’s grown or shrunk, dress for the shape you are now. Spending the day pulling on a blouse that doesn’t sit the way it used to will make you uncomfortable all day. You won’t be as productive or focused on days you are stressing about your clothes. Go through your closet; don’t hold onto things that don’t fit.
- Invest in your shoes. You can be dressed for success, but if you’re limping around from blistering feet, you won’t give the same impact. Buy some quality shoes that can help your outfit have a strong, beautiful, and comfortable foundation.
- Dress for your mood. If you are feeling bright and bubbly, pick some bright and happy colors to match the mood.
- Accessorize. How you choose to accessorize can change how your day feels, too. You’re going to act differently wearing a pearl necklace and stilettos than you would in a baseball cap and Converse.
By taking pride in your appearance, you will be able to create a positive energy around yourself. You will give off all the good vibes and will attract more of them from everyone and everything around you. When you look good, you feel good and can do good.
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Dress well for yourself by ensuring that your outfit reflects your style, personality, and capabilities. Check out the tips in this infographic when deciding what to wear.
