Take a look around you, in a restaurant, at the grocery store, at your place of business. The way we look, the way we carry ourselves, these are all part of who you are. The way Americans carry themselves today is strongly influenced by our need to conform to society. On one side we are manipulated into thinking we need the most popular brands and designer attire to convey who we are. Dolce & Gabanna, Chanel, Coach, Polo, Prada, Nike, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Dooney & Burke, well… you get the point, we have been influenced that we need their names on our bodies to solidify what we represent. How about quality of construction, the use of better fabrics, a product built for longevity as apposed to instant, and temporary, gratification?
On the flip side we've been taught that attention to personal style, or being “fashion conscious” is vain and superficial. We are led to believe that our attire has no significance and should not influence how we are perceived by others. No wonder we live in such a tense society with obesity and poverty becoming more commonplace. How many of us were taught to develop the mental strength and independence that is necessary to cope with all of these conflicting influences. Fashionable brands and the latest trends are what lack in value, not the people who choose to wear them. You can remain conscious of your appearance without becoming a slave to popular trend.
The way we carry ourselves, our posture and presence, are all equal in reflecting who we are. Your appearance, like it or not, affects how others respond to you. Our attitudes, our roles in society, and even our ambition are all being judged daily by everyone you come in contact with throughout the day.
How many people judged you yesterday?
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5 comments:
I believe there are many other factors which can influence our own outward appearance, the most obvious being our own self-image. But, I know I try to look as nice as possible for so many reasons, not the least of which would be to show respect to others and my employers.
I have no problem being judged on my appearance, because I do the same to others. At the most superficial level, we judge the quality of a tree by its fruit. I certainly wouldn't get out the axe at the first hint of a mediocre apple, but I may move onto another tree while keeping an eye on the first one, then dig deeper before deciding to make the final cut.
Comment by Erik Deckers 4 hours ago on smallerindiana.com
"More importantly, do I care?
I decided a long time ago to quit caring what people thought of me. If someone wants to look down their surgically-enhanced nose at me, let 'em. I have my friends and family, and those are the only ones whose opinion matters to me, not some soulless clone who spent a Haitian families annual income on a single pair of shoes.
Oops, did I just judge them?"
Comment by Hazel 5 hours ago on smallerindiana.com
"You are being judged even when you are asleep with all of the photos, blogs, and such on the internet now."
Comment by Terry Farley 21 hours ago on smallerindiana.com
"All of them, I'd wager."
Amy Woodall from SI wrote:
"I can understand the conflict. On one hand everyone should say "I don't care what others think" or we may seem vain. Let me explain this very clearly ......It is not about other's judgment of you it is about how you're representing yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses EVERY SINGLE DAY.
In my profession as an Image Consultant I obviously have to coach my clients on the importance of image. I do an exercise that always hits home. I'll hold up a picture of a person and ask them to tell me about them, and guess what I have never had ONE person tell me nothing about the picture. Simply by looking at their clothing, posture, eye contact; everyone could give me at least four descriptive words about this person they had never met or even seen in person.
It all comes down to DOLLARIZING THE VALUE OF YOUR IMAGE. How many clients could you be gaining and losing because you're not representing your strengths from across the room or on a first impression. (We wear who we are on the outside through clothing)"
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