Dress the Part 1

Does the suit make the man or the man make the suit? What you wear can’t possibly affect you as a person, can it? Whether you’re at the gym wearing a pair of Nike shorts and a cut-sleeve, at a bar rocking jeans and a button-down, or out on the town in a new suit – you’re still the same person, right? You may be the same person in each of these instances, but you aren't the same person to someone who doesn't know you.     

Whether we like it or not, our society is quick to judge a book by its cover. Within a second of first meeting someone, our subconscious has already formed an opinion of them based on their appearance. This can work to your advantage or disadvantage. Think of a few people you perceive as successful. More often than not, I’d bet you see them donned in something more than just business casual.

About two weeks ago, I decided to start dressing the part of who I want to be (without breaking the bank completely). I waited for a sale at Men's Wearhouse and added a couple of new suits to the wardrobe, upping my total to 3. I bought some new dress shirts, ties, shoes, and threw in some pocket squares for style. I ditched the Polos at work for a shirt and tie. I didn't go straight to the suit at work because I already got razzed on for wearing a tie. I saved the ‘suiting up’ for when I went out for dinner or drinks.  

Within these past couple of weeks I’ve already began to see some small returns on my investment. Last week, I won an argument at work for a more healthy (and expensive) food selection at an in-house business lunch. In the past, I’ve lost this same argument a few times before. This past Thursday a friend and I were able to cut the line (which was about 30 people at the time) at an exclusive NYC night club without buying bottles or paying a cover. The club promoter actually said he was hooking us up because we looked nice. Most importantly, this week I was out at happy hour and met an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist at the bar. We began talking and really hit it off. As an aspiring entrepreneur I had a lot of questions that they were more than happy to answer. Each of them gave me their card and we’ve texted a few times already, exchanging some thoughts on new ideas or even just giving some words of encouragement.

I’m pretty sure that in each of these instances, I initially did and said the same things I would have if sporting my more usual casual attire. And in each of these cases I was able to get better than usual results because I am dressing the part of who I want to become - a financially successful business owner. In a way the suits acted like a costume, just as any actor would use to portray their character. The effect I am trying to create is that I am (or am going to be a) successful person, I am someone whose ideas are worth listening to, and I am someone who should be taken seriously. If your clothes can deliver that effect, people will start to take you more seriously and be more receptive to what you have to say. In the words made famous by Barney Stinson: Suit Up!