Dressing for Others Or Dressing for Yourself

Fashion writers, stylists and other professionals usually say that when you dress up nicely, you will be able to make a better impression, to draw people in a positive way and to be more appealing to the crowd. In other words, dressing for others is meant to help you get a heads up.

At the same time, those with a great sense of style usually say that you should dress for yourself and to please no one but you.

And the truth of the matter is that you should be able to strike a balance between the two.

Researchers have concluded time and time again that dressing up in a way that makes other people like and trust you will get you a great social standing. Regardless of whether we like it or not, the way we look impacts the way people see us. Therefore, if we want to be seen well, we should look well. A man whose clothes, accessories and grooming are always on point is a man who's in it for the win.

Many people have issues with the concept of dressing up to make an impact, they feel that it does not represent them and that they are fake. The truth is that in certain contexts, such as your job environment, it doesn't really matter: in an office for example, the outfit requirements come with the job package. If you want to work there or have a career in that field, looking like a pro is a requirement. Some businesses even have written-out dress codes that go on on over 50 pages. In these cases, all you can do is find a way to express yourself and your personality within the requirements of the dress code. That calls for a lot of creativity, but it's not something that can't be obtained.

On the other hand, if you feel the need to dress up nicely for personal purposes, this can work sometimes, but in general it's a waste of time. The classic example is of a man who dresses up nicely and puts only his best foot forward to woo a woman only to let himself go once they're in a committed relationship. Tricking someone you are another person on a personal level will not only hurt them in the long run, but it will also hurt you, as you won't gain any type of realness and authenticity in your relation.

Now, dressing up because you want to put your best foot forward and make great impression is another thing. If it comes from within and if you gradually and then eventually let the other person get to know you as the real you (who sometimes likes to dress up to make a good impression), regardless of whether that person is a friend or romantic interest, works. Why not?

Style and fashion don't make much sense if they have no personal facet. In other words, wearing clothes that don't represent you at all will make you feel less confident and bad about yourself. If the outside doesn't match the inside at all, there's a problem.

Thus, one should always dress for himself first. If you have a dress code at work, you can make it work for you, if there is a dress code at a party, adapt it to your style. Find clothes that fit and work well for you and that express who you truly are.

This will make you more confident and you will feel more in sync with yourself than you would if you were to wear only highly impersonal clothes.

Getting dressed and the simple state of being in clothes should be a cool, relaxing and authentic experience. If it is not, one can look for ways to change it or adapt it so that it suits their style and personality. Sometimes, even the smallest change such as an accessory, more buttons, a different style shoe or anything similar will make you feel better about the way you look and feel.

Fraquoh and Franchomme

Further reading:

Why fashion is important Hopes for fashion 6 men's office fashion tips

P.S. We want to hear from you! How do you strike a balance between getting dressed for yourself and for others? How do you adapt dress codes? What type of clothes do you like to wear? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!