Written by: Raluca Marcu, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Most probably, we've all been in situations where we wanted to have started on the right foot or presented ourselves better, be it an interview, a client meeting, or a networking event. You've probably heard the saying "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression". This holds true in many aspects of our lives.
First impressions are very powerful and shape how others interact with us
The first impression we make on someone often determines how people will think about us in the future. The point of a good first impression is to be memorable without being overbearing.
While it is important to remember that first impressions are just that ‒ initial impressions ‒ and they do not necessarily reflect the full complexity of a person or situation, they can have a powerful influence on our subsequent interactions with others, as they shape our expectations and attitudes towards them.
First impressions are fast and can be difficult to change
Research has found that it can take as little as a tenth of a second for someone to form a first impression of another person. Other studies show that it takes about three to seven seconds for someone to make an opinion of another person when interacting in person. Similar speed applies to websites ‒ it takes about 50 milliseconds (0.05 seconds) for users to form an opinion about a website that determines whether they'll stay or leave. There's no doubt that we often don't have enough time to impress our audience, as the judgment is coming in so fast and is so photographic.
When we meet someone new, our brains automatically process a lot of information about them, including their appearance, body language, and demeanor, to assess whether they are someone we should trust. Once a first impression is formed, it can be difficult to change, as people are often resistant to new information that conflicts with their initial impressions. This is because our brains are wired to look for and remember information that confirms our existing beliefs and biases, rather than information that challenges them.
People notice physical characteristics when first meeting someone
The first impression is based on a combination of factors, including appearance and body language. People tend to notice and remember physical characteristics more than anything else when they meet someone for the first time. This includes things like clothing, hairstyle, and facial features.
Demeanor, or the way a person carries themselves, can also be important ‒ someone who is confident and self-assured is more likely to make a positive first impression than someone timid or unsure of themselves.
Consider the image you want to project when choosing your outfit
More recent studies confirm that our style can have a major impact on how people perceive us in those first few moments, so there is much more to how we look and dress than we may think.
When it comes to choosing an outfit, it is important to consider the image we want to project and how our clothing can help to convey that message. We should consider factors like the occasion, the setting, and the audience, in addition to the colors, styles, and fit of the clothing and how they will affect the overall look and feel. It's also important to consider comfort and confidence, as we want to feel good in what we're wearing. Overall, the key is to be mindful of the message we want to send and choose an outfit that aligns with it.
How to dress to look confident
Confidence comes from within, but certain clothing choices can help you feel more confident and project an image of self-control to others. Here are a few simple tips for choosing an outfit to help boost your confidence:
Dress appropriately for the occasion: Choose an outfit that is appropriate for the setting and the people you will be interacting with. Wearing the right clothes for the occasion will help you fit in and feel more comfortable ‒ for example, a formal suit for a business meeting or a casual outfit for a relaxed social gathering.
Choose clothes that suit your style: Wearing clothes that reflect your personal style and taste can help you feel authentic, which will increase your confidence level. Find a style that works for you and stay with it.
Choose clothes that fit well and flatter your body shape: Clothes that fit well can help you feel more comfortable and confident, so avoid clothes that are too tight or too loose. Ill-fitting clothing can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, which can undermine your confidence.
Choose colors that suit you: Wearing colors that suit your skin tone and personal style can help you feel more confident. Use color to your advantage by choosing shades that complement your skin tone, eyes, and hair color.
Accessorize wisely: Adding the right accessories can help you complete your look and feel confident. For example, wearing a statement piece of jewelry or a well-chosen belt can help you feel put-together and positive.
Pay attention to your hairstyle and makeup (women): Have your hair neatly styled and shaped and your makeup appropriate for the occasion.
Everything considered, we CAN influence how people perceive us by the way we look and dress, thus making a big difference in where their snap judgment is going when they see our picture or meet us for the first time. I did a quick test on this site on how I come across strangers. In the first photo, I uploaded a higher quality, more professional, and edited picture for my Style Coach™ business profile, whereas in the second photo, I wore much lighter makeup and left the photo unedited. The votes took just a few minutes, and the outcome speaks for itself – my competence and influence grew significantly in my first photo.
I am not suggesting that image is everything or that clothes make the man, but they can definitely make or break a first impression. The most important thing is to wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin, what makes you feel YOU in a particular environment.
Book your FREE session with me here, so we can develop a personal style that’s uniquely yours and helps you express who you are or the image you want to project.
Raluca Marcu, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Raluca Marcu is a Style Coach™ licensed and certified by the Style Coaching Institute® and an accredited member of the International Association of Style Coaches™ (IASC). With an extensive background in communications and branding, she brings together her personal styling skills with the self-image psychology, confidence coaching, body language and non-verbal communication skills in a unique combination to help people feel good inside-out. Raluca works with her clients beyond the image they see in the mirror to their internal self-image to boost their confidence and gain timeless style and life skills. Her mission: help women and men of all ages discover, enhance or express their authentic self with style.
