Dress to Impress

7 reasons why you should power dress every day.

1) Do it for yourself!

Decide that you are worth the effort! Stepping up your game when it comes to your appearance requires extra effort from your side. This starts with your personal grooming and then finally the clothes that you put on your back. Always remember that this step is an integral part of building a strong personal brand.

2) Confidence

If you look good, you will feel good, and this will have a domino effect on your confidence. The difference between someone who is confident and someone who is not is the belief in their own abilities. Why not dress to increase your confidence? You can’t lose!

3) Murphy’s Law

You know those times when you quickly went to the store with the worst hair and style day of your life? That was the day you bumped into your crush or your boss. Murphy is a real person, and you never know when he might show up. Dress to impress because you never know when you meet someone important. Important meaning a big client or a significant connection.

4) You will make a great first impression

Before you speak one word, someone has already judged you just on your appearance. This has nothing to do with your body shape or facial features, but instead, it has everything to do with how you present it. Taking care of yourself and dressing well says something about you. Remember that even if your image is not important to you, it might be imperative to your next client or future investor.

5) Create a certain vibe for your business and brand

You need to decide what your brand and business stand for. Are you a fun and creative brand? Because then you might include creative designs in your dressing style. Think along the lines of prints and textures or quirky neckline styles. You might be a serious more conservative brand, where you would need to include minimalistic styles with no fuss. The vibe you send out with your style will ultimately be the vibe clients, colleagues or investors associate your brand with. It is essential always to keep your dress professional and powerful no matter your profession.

6) Playing the power card

When you are power dressing, you could level the playing field. Say you meet someone who has a reputation for being intimidating; the power of your level of dress could potentially catch them off guard. If it does, it would already be worth it and help you get the upper hand. If you are naturally shy and reserved, use power dressing to help you fake it until you make it!

7) Reputation and expectation

Building your brand means building a reputation and expectation with people. Think about this; you spend hours and lots of money in developing a positive and visually pleasing brand identity. If I look at your branding and I am impressed with what I see, but your personal image does not match my expectation that would be disappointing. You are your brand, and your brand is your reputation. Create an appearance that installs confidence, trust and respect in others as well as in yourself.

Carissa Bosman from Image AvenueImage Consultant and Stylist

www.image-avenue.co.za