It's a simple fact: first impressions matter. That means what you wear (and how) matters. You don't always have to be the most stylish in the room, but, it's no secret- first impressions matter.
Of course, who you are is key to creating relationships and allows others to see how wonderful of a person you are, but if you look a bit sloppy, well they will most likely second guess if they want to invite you to their next get together or hire you at the job you were looking forward to.
This doesn't have to be complicated, here are a few pointers that were passed down to us from our fathers, that really made a difference!
CONFIDENCE
The most important aspect of style is confidence. Being stylish requires confidence; it demonstrates that you have everything under control, not just your outfit but also your life and mental state. People will be drawn to you because you are serious about business. Regardless of the circumstances, compliments will begin to pour in. They will respect you more and may consider you as a role model in their lives. It's important to note confidence does not mean being serious all the time, it just means being comfortable with who you are.
SYSTEM & DETAILS
Its all in the details!
(and the presence of a system helps up manage them better!)
For example, if you're about to perform or give a speech, paying attention to your wardrobe a couple days before will cause you to focus on the performance rather than how you look.
It is not a matter of forcing yourself to do something you do not want to do; rather, it is a matter of making what you do not want the easiest thing to do. Paying attention to details and having a proper system, teaches someone discipline, and learning this at a young age will help them relax when it comes to the bigger things in life. It may seem like an overwhelming task to add to your daily routine, but it will help you stay organized in the long run. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Keeping your shoes shined and cleaned. Good trick is to do it after you finish using them, so the next time you need to use them, they're ready to be used.
- Making sure your outfits don't have holes, or lose strings. Throw out items or donate it to your closest salvation army.
- Iron your shirts before putting them away.
- Quality items last longer, and it can be difficult to tell what is good fabric and what is bad. You can buy name brands, trendy design quality, how an outfit fits, and what material it is made of.
- Having a specific style also works wonders, such as choosing only five different shades or sticking to one, or having specific colours and outfits that all work together in different ways.
SHAVE
The number one thing fathers prepare their sons for the business world by teaching them how to shave and maintain your hair. Here are some shaving tips to pass along:
- Treat it like a ritual
- Choose the correct type of razor for your hair and skin
- Keep your razors/shaving kit clean and sharp
- Trim your beard using clippers before shaving (If its long)
- Wash your face
- Apply a natural pre-shave oil to nourish the skin and lubricate the razor
- Heat your pores with a warm towel
- Apply shaving cream, with your hands or with a brush
- Shave with the grain of your hair, then across it at the end
- Rinse your face with warm water
- Apply a natural, non-alcoholic aftershave balm to clean your skin without irritating it
You see, style isn't about the type of clothes you put on your back, but how you present yourself. Its not about if you are wearing the trendiest clothes from the runway, but if your shoes are clean, your face is clean, and you look generally put together.
First impressions matter, how we walk into a room, and what we look like speaks volumes- before we even make a sound.
Make sure that your first impression says something good about you!