Style Matters: The Importance of Standing out In a Crowd

Introduction

My Mom, Dr. Patience Turtoe-Sanders, a pastor, author, professor, nurse, and a traditional “old fashioned” marriage counselor, always says, “At a glance, you’ve already been judged even within seconds.” If people are going to look at you, give them a show and make it worth their while. This is not an endorsement of caring about what people think of you, but about looking your best. No matter how you slice it, the truth is, STLYE matters. Style is not just a matter of wearing clothes, it speaks about who you are, and how you stand out in a crowd. Below are four reasons why style matters, and the importance of standing out in a crowd.

First Impressions and Opportunities

Everyone has heard the saying, “First impression matters”. This underscores the importance of looking your best at all times: by nature, individuals are likely drawn to other people who dress well, especially strangers they don’t know, or people they are not familiar with. Therefore, judging someone new based on their style is a matter of human nature, something instinctive embedded in human beings. Creative style leaves a memorable impression that often lives on in the minds of others, as demonstrated in a 2016 research study entitled The Relationship Between Clothes and First Impressions: Benefits and Adverse Effects On The Individual, which stated, “It is impossible to wear clothes without transmitting a signal of some sort”. This research study also mentions “Subtle manipulations of one’s clothing impacting others’ perceptions of them such as attractiveness, likeness, competence, and aggressiveness.” When making first impressions, always remember Dress to impress. Such an attitude can make all the difference in a job interview, audition, and even meeting your soul mate.

Self Confidence

It is pretty much a given that clothes can reflect one’s emotion and self-confidence levels. Of course, this is not suggesting that everyone must wear their best outfit to the grocery store, a doctor’s appointment, or the dentist. However, one should dress with confidence and look decent at the very least. “RiSe Women”, a business that teaches women about self-confidence, mentioned a research study, stating, “A study from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University showed that, when research subjects wore particular items of clothing, they were not only perceived differently, but they also behaved in a different way.  The clothes themselves changed the way they acted.”

Naturally, when an individual gets a fresh new haircut, car, cell phone, or house, more likely than not, the individual is most likely to want to show it off!! This excitement applies to clothing also. Brand new clothes, and a good sense of style can make all the difference in self-confidence, as suggested by the research study from the Kellogg School of Management mentioned above. Self-confidence is the reason people get visual makeovers, a new set of teeth, tooth whitening, a new hairstyle, and a host of other physical makeovers: all these things are done to boost self-confidence! So, the next time you go to an event, or anywhere you want to show off your style, give it your best shot! Watch heads turn your way as you walk in confidence with STYLE.

Fake it Until You Make It

Sometimes in life…you have to fake it until you make it! No, this is in no way justifying being a fake human being, no, not at All. I am proponent of honesty and genuine intentions. Here, “Fake it until you make it” means, “Hiding in style”! For example, just because Chuck who lives down the street is going through a financial crisis, and losing his Apartment, does not mean Chuck has to show it through his dressing style. Now, some might argue that Chuck has every right to dress in a disgusting and pitiful way that might match his downcast emotions, but Chuck’s style does not have to reflect his current troubles, or his moods, perceptions of others about him. Chuck can still wear good looking clothes with a fascinating style, walking around looking sharp, though his current situation may not be the brightest.

Professionalism

Professionals are people who often look decent at the very least. Would you walk into a job interview with dirty clothes, a bad hairdo, and torn pair of shoes? No, everyone would want to look their best. Professionals “often” look decent. At the least, professionals dress to look approachable. A research article entitled, “Perceptions of Ethicality: The Role of Attire Style, Attire Appropriateness, and Context”, explains that:

 “People do not respond to reality; they respond to their perceptions of reality, formed through the signals they receive. Our results support this idea and signaling theory, as they show that attire style acts as a signal that, directly and indirectly, impacts perceptions of ethicality”.

For example, if someone shows up for a job interview, and that individual shows up with dirty clothes and messy hair, the chances are he or she may not get the job because their style has probably ruled them out of the job before the interview even started. As the research article suggested, style subliminally speaks of ethicality and how others may pre-judge others based on style. From observation, nine times out of ten, professionals are going to have a decent style, unless in unique situations where style is not required.

Conclusion

We have given you four reasons why style matters: first impression and opportunities, self-confidence, fake it until you make it, and professionalism. The truth is, you are going to be judged based on your style every day, not that being judged matters that much. However, you should have a good sense of style and look decent at the very least. Style matters… attracts… attract… creates opportunities… makes an individual stand out, creating an everlasting memory. Embrace style. You never know who’s watching!

At Nyphen Freshh Fashion, we’ve got you covered in style… *pun intended😊.

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