Make the Most of Your First Impressions

I know you’re familiar with the expression “you are what you eat.” Did you ever realize that it’s also true when it comes to getting dressed?  

Believe it or not, we are what we wear! No matter how wonderful we are inside, we can’t forget that the outside represents who we are, too. According to www.noubikko.com, “Clothing has become the most important judging factor for first impressions.”  

Do you remember the scene in "Pretty Woman" when Julia Roberts tried to go shopping in a snooty boutique? The sales associates instantly judged her as someone who couldn’t afford to shop in that store.  I have to be honest, I was absolutely sickened when I watched this. I was upset that people could be so rude and judge someone based on outward appearance alone. It also touched me because I’m sure at one point or another most of us have experienced a moment where we were treated better or worse based on the outfit you chose that day. 

On many occasions I’ve gone to the mall in my standard gym attire — relaxing yoga pants, a sweatshirt and baseball cap. What surprises me the most is that a handful of times I’ve been ignored by sales associates when I’ve either been the only customer in the store or there were other customers who may have perhaps been seen as people who’d be more willing to spend. Who knows? All I know is that I have experienced this and when I’ve gone back to those particular shops, I received completely different treatment when I was dressed in a more clean-cut, pulled together outfit.

So, why does this happen? Blame it on first impressions. 

Fair or unfair, according to www.businessknowhow.com, “In the first 30 seconds people make judgments about you on a subconscious level, based on what they see, hear and sense."  Whether good or bad, your outward appearance says so much about you.  

Sudbury resident Jennifer Rothbart, a former human resources manager for PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Boston, says, “The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one. How you look and what you are wearing is what they will focus on before you even begin your interview process.”

So, what do your clothes say?  And remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression!