Importance of the first impression and why appearance matters

Stories of makeovers and personal transformation are always fascinating - be it the story of a maid who transforms overnight to win over the prince in Cinderella or the story of the poor farmer’s son who dressed like a prince and won over the King’s approval in Puss in Boots. 

Going up in life and improving ones livelihood, is the most relevant ambition, if not the most ultimate goal. Those keen to reach the top, would be equally keen on finding out the reasons and factors that lead to reaching the top. In this day and age, we all know it takes more than ‘being good at the job’.

"Dress for success" is the modern equivalent of "clothes maketh the man"—that is, it articulates the belief that what you wear matters in everyday life. 

Today "impression management" has become part of mainstream popular psychology and management and business studies, with dress for success a central plank of both.

In an ideal world we would think that people should respect us for what we are and what we say - and not for the clothes we are wearing, the accessories or our appearance. But, the truth is that ‘Reality is not the Reality. Perception is the Reality’. 

Our appearance has a huge impact on how people view us.  You are not what you are. You are what people think you are. 

Your appearance is how you look: your clothes, hair, facial expression, skin tone, and posture all factor into your overall appearance.

It introduces you to the world much before you reach out with a hand shake and formally introduce yourself. 

Did you know that teachers in schools always pick the cute kid to be the main dancer, and the same cute kid is chosen to play the lead in the school skit. Teachers typically have their 3 to 4 favourites in each class. Discrimination based on appearance starts very early. So, kids with good appearance have an undue advantage. Since, they get picked up ever so often, they become more confident. And, this continues through collage and at the work place as well.  Interviewers choose candidates who are better dressed and groomed, as they project a confident exterior, thought they may not be actually.

I read an article which states that teachers favour attractive kids.

For grown ups, there are a lot of options available to improve appearance. 

Your dress speaks a lot about you. Dressing well is a good habit to get addicted to.  If you dress well and look presentable, that denotes that you respect yourself and take care of yourself. In return people respect you and take care of you.

Our appearance changes what people hear you say. 

The lady who is dressed sharply and well groomed looks like she is well educated and is just returning from the challenging job she has at a IT major. 

The one who is dressed in casual outfit with a stain on the dress, unkept eyebrows sends a message that she is not too cared about her appearance hence less ambitious. 

We make these assumptions about people. 

These preconceived notions and stereotypes are built into our assumptions of other people from years of social conditioning. Our assumption forming process is on autopilot. 

If you want people to listen to you and take you seriously, here are my tips.

1.Dress the message – If you want people to listen to you, dress well.

The clothes you wear and the way you groom yourself will change the way other people hear what you say.

It will subconsciously tell them if you’re like them or if you’re different. It will determine whether they listen or ignore. Trust or distrust.

This is the same reason why every health care and hygiene brand puts actors—and we consciously know they are actors—in white lab coats to pitch their drugs and health drinks in their television commercials. We immediately judge them as doctors. 

It’s why mothers choose color-coded clothing for their babies. It’s hard to tell what gender a newborn is. But if you see one rolling around in a blue onesie, you know it’s a boy. Pink for girls.

How you dress yourself and groom yourself, it changes who you are. It changes the value of what you have to say. At least to the people who are looking and listening.

I would like to quote the example of retiring CEO of Pepsico Indra Nooyi. Have you observed how she dresses. Formal and smart. She is comfortable in a business suit and in a saree. She says in one of her interviews that one must invest in and have atleast 3 well stitched and well fitting suits rather than 15 of them that don’t fit well. 

2. You feel the way you dress – Wear your mood

Your clothes not only add to your appearance, they add to your presentation, they contribute to your behaviour therefore defining your body language. 

When you look confident and approachable, you become more confident and approachable. 

Various studies including one by Joy V. Peluchette and Katherine Karl on ‘The impact of workplace attire on employee self-perceptions’ show that “Respondents felt most authoritative, trustworthy, and competent when wearing formal business attire.”

3. You feel the way you appear – Get an appointment with a personal stylist. 

A lot of us manage to invest in our appearance, in how we pull ourselves together every morning. 

In Chennai, in a 5 kilometer stretch, you will find 10 beauty parlours, salons and spas. Youngsters visit beauty salons regularly to get their hair styled and get highlights. They invest in expensive facials. The men are catching up as well. 

Fair and Lovely Men Fairness Cream & Fair & Handsome were launched because more of 50% of the users of fair and lovely were men who want to look good and confident. 

Once you are dressed well, you start living the part. You exhibit attitude. We ape our appearance. Hence, it’s possible that your presentation was more impactful, you get selected in the job interview, you get selected as a representative etc. 

4. Make an impact - First impressions matter!

Visual associations subconsciously go a long way and we have very little control over it. When you dress well, you are simply using this subliminal power of association to your advantage. 

In this fast-paced world, you’re given precious little seconds to make an impression. Thirty seconds to be precise, if various studies are to be believed. 

When you meet someone for the first time, the impression they carry of you lasts a while, so why not leave a mark?

One can change wardrobe, change hair style and get a new set of shoes etc. But, what if you were unhappy with a facial feature. 

When we think of aesthetic treatments, we believe that it is for the film stars and those in the glamourous fields of work. It’s totally wrong. It’s a misconception. 

As a plastic surgeon and Founder of Tamira, I meet hundreds on patients each week who are just like you and me – software professionals, teachers, lawyers, banking professionals, electricians, students, home makers and people from all walks of life, walking into my clinic to seek a solution to their problem. I don’t see artists, VIP’s and page 3 people all day long.

At Tamira, we believe that we owe each of our customers a complete explanation on the surgical options that they are exploring. We need to analyse where they are coming from, what is their point of view, what is the problem that they are trying to solve by going under the knife.  And, it is my duty to explain the options available to them, the pros and cons and be honest about the risks involved and the outcome. 

At Tamira, we don’t promote surgical fixes, we are not encouraging people to opt for them. But, if it is the right course of action for our patient, we will definitely be honest and transparent in setting the right expectations. 

Summary: Look good, feel good. 

There are so many logical reasons to look good and dress well, the one reason that personally overrides all others is that ‘priceless high’ you get out of just looking good. So why not pepper up your style a bit.