While we’re all told we should never judge a book by its cover, that doesn’t mean that this is something we don’t do; especially when it comes to other people. When you’re walking down the street, you’ll see lots of different people in lots of different clothes, but if you were to line them all up and tell them what you think, you’d instantly use these clothes to judge their personality.
However, turning it around, have you ever considered what your clothing says about you? How is what you’re wearing portraying to the mental image and opinion that someone has on you? Today, we’re going to explore this to discover everything you need to know.
Clothing is a Form of Body Language
While body language usually conjures up images of crossed arms meaning defensive, and other forms of non-verbal communication, the clothing we wear is actually one of the most important ways we communicate with people.
While this may sound judgemental to base your opinions on someone by their clothing, there are a lot of benefits to doing this. For example, if you see someone in prison clothing, you’ll immediately know to stay away from them. Likewise, if you see someone in a suit, you know they’re trying to create a professional image.
If both of these people turned up to an interview for a job and you were the hiring manager, you would be able to accurately base your decision based on the clothes they’re wearing, ultimately helping you make the right decision.
On the same hand, if you went to a doctor’s surgery and the doctor came out in extremely dirty clothing and an unwashed lab coat, you’ll know that you should probably think about switching to a new practice. In this case, this isn’t judgemental; it’s merely a case of looking after yourself in the best way possible.
So, What Do Your Clothes Say About You?
There are multiple things to consider here. For example, if you’re trying to create a particular impression so someone thinks about you in a certain way, such as if you’re going for a job interview, you might consider wearing a hand tailored suit to help nurture that impression.
Likewise, you may be trying to make a statement, for example, if you’re partaking in a Pride rally, or you identify with a certain scene or counter-culture, you may choose your clothes to make it known that you agree with those beliefs or movements.
In addition to the style of clothes, you’re wearing, how you present your clothes is also important. For example, if your clothes are dirty, this will either state that you don’t care how you look, you’ve given up trying to please people, or you’re going through a hard time where your appearance means nothing to you, or you simply don’t have the time or resources.
Summary
As you can see, how you wear your clothes and what you wear is so important when it comes to others forming the opinion of you. However, don’t take this as a bad thing. Instead, take control of this power and use it to the best of your ability.
