First impressions matter.
One thing we can all agree that first impressions are: unavoidable. There will always come a time in your life when you’re meeting someone for the first time and have the urge to best represent yourself. While you can certainly convince your peers of your qualities and capabilities over a period of time, it is still important to leave a lasting first impression as you only have one chance at making a good first impression. If your appearance does not mirror with the values you are attempting to express, it will be difficult for you to appear as genuine. In other words, the way that you present yourself to others is extremely important and often reflects your true self.
Make a good impression.
Often, it is how you carry yourself and present yourself to others that makes a lasting impression. Sweatpants and a t-shirt may be comfortable but you never know who you might run into. Suppose you are walking to the library and run into an executive from Marriott touring campus and you are looking to get into the hospitality business, but you are now talking to an influential executive in your rumpled t-shirt and sweatpants. Do you think you will be taken seriously? You are bound to seem more professional when dressed nicely in front of colleagues, coworkers, or possible employers. While this may ring true specifically when applying for a professional job or internship, it can also directly apply to your everyday life. Your professors as well as your classmates may treat you differently depending on your attire. Your image ultimately tells others how you would like to be approached and treated.
Have a “look good, feel good” mentality.
If you’ve ever heard the saying “look good, feel good” then you know that it absolutely rings true in real life. If you look in the mirror and are happy with the way you look, you will ultimately feel more confident in yourself and your abilities. This confidence may only increase when people begin to compliment you on your put-together appearance. In my personal experience, I find myself much more confident in my appearance knowing that others are noticing and admiring. Not only will you get a surge of confidence as a result, but your mood may also completely change. For instance, on a day when you are in sweatpants and a t-shirt, lugging around campus, you may not have a strong desire to accomplish much. Whereas on a day you wear a nice sweater with jeans, you feel prepared to take on the day ahead of you to the best of your ability.
What’s the bottom line?
Ultimately, what you wear not only impacts you, but it also affects those around you and their impression of you. With that being said, I urge you to stay true to yourself and dress according to your personal likings. The only person who truly matters to impress is yourself. As said before, if you are happy with the way you look then you will surely give off more confidence and, in turn, an aura about you that others will be drawn to. There is never the need to wear the most expensive designer clothes or stick with the “latest trends” to impress others. Be a trendsetter yourself and wear what makes you happy.
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