how to
Dress smarter
You might have spent half a decade getting your college degree, have
the highest IQ in your company or a master's in French Literature, but
if you're not dressing smart, you're sillier than you think.
So you've just been introduced to someone for the first time. You
shake their hand and say something vaguely intelligent, hinting at your
wit and wisdom. But before you've finished your sentence, studies reveal
that that person has already read countless subliminal messages about
your personal appearance (from your shoes to your hair) and made up
their mind about how intelligent you are. And it all happens in seven
seconds!
If you think your personal style isn't giving you the best chance at
getting the promotion, the income or the respect you deserve, it's time
to smarten up.
A stiff, neat collar makes you look smart and fresh throughout the
day. Perhaps it's because collared shirts are the standard for most
schools and university uniforms and are therefore associated with
academia. Maybe it's the fact that they are the mainstay for a man's
working wardrobe and borrow from a time of oppression and the resulting
bias people often have when estimating the intelligence of men. Add a
feminine touch by keeping your menswear-inspired shirt tailored (baggy
and boxy will only make you look sloppy) and pair it with a flattering
knee length skirt and a narrow silk neck tie for a look that's polished
and professional with a dash of panache.
Red might be the color of power and passion and yellow might be
associated with youthfulness, but if you're trying to look smart and
respectable, wear a mainly neutral color palette that doesn't distract
from your competence or polarize people. To add a little fun, experiment
by mixing shades within the same family so you have tonal depth without
any jarring colors (or judgments).
It's no accident every military uniform includes a well-structured
blazer in its sartorial armor. The square shoulders imply strength and
authority, while the clean, crisp tailoring signifies discipline and
commands respect. The best part about a blazer is that they instantly
smarten up more casual outfits. To look clever without looking like
you're about to declare war, wear it with a soft, silky modern tee, a
slim-fit pant and a statement piece of jewelry.
Polished shoes
A woman who doesn't know how to look after her shoes doesn't know how
to look after her life, or at least that's what most people think.
There's a reason why I said “a person's sole is a window into their
soul” in my book,
How To Tell A Man By His Shoes. Stepping out
in shoes with well-maintained heels and polish shows the world that you
pay attention
Rather than succumb to every new trend that fashion editors throw at
you (high-heeled sneakers anyone?), choose to invest in classic pieces
that never go out of style and always look smart and sophisticated. To
get an idea of what they are, watch old films like
Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Years of social conditioning and Hollywood marketing have made us
associate these iconic pieces with the elegant leading ladies who once
wore them.
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