Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance. Arthur Ashe
Dressing well is not the most important thing but it’s also not the least important thing. What you need to consider is that clothes are a part of the way in which you present yourself, and this means that they make others evaluate you in a certain way. So dressing well is a useful tool to be perceived in specific ways.
Dressing well doesn’t mean dress, suit, and tie for every occasion. Instead, it refers to being able to dress in a way that reflects who you are and how you want to be seen and is also appropriate for the situation.
It’s not correct to wear a suit to a business casual office; it’s as out of place as a thick jacket on a sunny beach. Your clothes should fit the situation well: they should be comfortable, appropriate, and safe.
Another element of dressing well is being able to express your identity and individuality while fulfilling the above criteria. Dressing well means showing what you want to show through your clothes.
Today, there is a lot more freedom, in more places, in regard to how people can dress. Sure, there are still many spaces with a dress code, but you can find a lot of freedom in accessories and details.
Dressing well means conveying a specific image. Sometimes, you need to come off as professional. Other times, as alluring. Clothes are a tool to achieve this.
Beyond these ideas, dressing well also implies and involves a basic standard. You want to have clothes that look well and are not dirty, torn, or with holes unless it’s part of the look or something unavoidable in the situation. Your clothes don’t need to be ironed or particularly fancy, but they should be clean and arranged.
Dressing well also means making yourself comfortable. Often, we favor clothes, shoes, and accessories that make us look a certain way but that also that feel uncomfortable or even are painful to wear.
Don’t sacrifice your comfort for the sake of appearance. Use clothes that fit you well and don’t cause pain, distress, excessive heat or cold.
Dressing well is a good thing to do for yourself and to further your goals. It is a good thing to consider when you want to further your goals, express yourself genuinely, and make a specific kind of impression.
