No matter what the situation, be it job interview, first date or even meeting the in-laws, there’s no denying first impressions count. The truth is that as humans, we all have tendencies to judge people by our initial interactions with them. This could be how they talk, how they carry themselves or even how they look or dress and this judgment can be made within as little as seven seconds.
Although you do not have control over people’s perceptions, the way you dress is something that you can control and use to your advantage. Your personal style and fashion sense is an excellent way of making a statement about the person you are and how you wish to be perceived by others.
That being said, it’s key that we make the right impression when meeting people for the first time, so looking and feeling great is of utmost importance. When dressing to impress, no matter what the occasion, there are some foolproof rules to live by.
Firstly, comfort is key so dressing in clothing that makes you feel confident and comfortable is essential. If you feel at all self-conscious, this can have a really negative effect on you initial interactions with others. However, dressing comfortably doesn’t mean sporting your favourite hoodie and track pants, it means choosing clothing that you know you look good in. Many of us have a favourite cut when it comes to pants or jeans, it may be something very fired and high waisted or it could be something entirely more relaxed. Whatever style you prefer, be sure to stick to your tried and tested clothing that you makes you look and feel fabulous. Having that confidence when meeting anyone for the first time will surely serve you well and ensure that you stay calm and collected throughout any initial interaction.
Another thing to think about when considering an outfit choice for any sort of occasion is what do you want the outfit to say about you. Depending on the type of occasion or situation that you are preparing for, you may wish to project yourself in different ways. For instance, if you are choosing clothing for a first date you may want to project yourself as being fun, sexy, outgoing or care-free and so you should choose an outfit that would convey this to your potential partner. On the other hand, if you are considering what to wear for an important job interview, you would still want to dress to impress, but would probably want to project yourself in a professional light.
If you are looking for outfit options for a job interview, then how you project yourself becomes so much more important. You should not only choose something that makes you look and feel ready to work, but also an outfit that makes you feel powerful and ready to take control of the situation. Power dressing is nothing new, it has been around for a very long time and is an excellent way of giving you the confidence you need to make the most of the opportunity, whilst helping the employer gain trust in your ability.
Another key factor when dressing to make a good first impression is the type of footwear you choose to wear. You want to ensure that whatever style of shoe you choose goes well with the rest of the ensemble, whilst still being practical. When choosing footwear, make sure that the shoes you wear are clean, polished and free of any marks and scratches. Small details like this can really make or break someone’s initial perception of you, so don’t overlook these finer details. You may think of factors such as the way you wear your hair or the colour of your nail polish as minor details, but it is little things like this that add up to create your overall look.
A great way of ensuring that your choice of clothing and accessories project the desired image is to enlist the help of a personal stylist. There are a number of personal stylists in Melbourne that can make it a lot easier to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. Not only do personal stylists offer personal shopping services, but they will help you style your outfits for a wide range of occasions. .
Hopefully the above points will make dressing to impress less stressful and make any future interaction far less intimidating.