Written by Julian Randall in Tips & Advice on the 20th March 2023

Most of us grew up hearing the phrase, “dress to impress,” whenever someone tried to convince us to elevate our clothing choices and assemble those garments on our bodies more refinedly. And yes, we should all aim to dress well (whatever that means for you). The problem is that we often compromise our authenticity in our effort to impress. But what if the best version of our personal style allowed us to make a good impression?

I won’t pretend that we all inherently put on clothes for ourselves only. Getting dressed is a profoundly interpersonal endeavour that adds to fashion's dynamic nature. We feel good when someone compliments us on our outfits; we love that validation! What I’ve observed, though, is that it’s hardly just the clothes that people are praising. It’s the confidence we exude while wearing them. An embodied, visible contentment that says, “I know who I am, I like who I am, and I know how to express that through clothing.” Perhaps in the moments where you made a positive impression on someone, you weren’t merely dressing to impress. Instead, you found a way to select the best clothes to express yourself that day. Adopting that approach can be helpful in environments which might impose a heightened sense of sartorial formality.

Let’s say you’re preparing your outfit for an upcoming work conference. Throw away most of the rules that socialised your approach to dressing in this setting, full-stop. What good is a fully lined navy-blue wool suit if the colour is too corporate for you? If ties feel like the most constricting accessory one could wear, you’d be doing yourself and the tie a disservice in doing so. But more importantly, forcing either of those would make you feel average at best, uncomfortable at worst, and downright unimpressive if perception is a concern. No one wants that. Especially not you. Because you’re not ordinary and deserve to feel great in your clothes; so, let’s discuss what this looks like in practice.

What might surprise you is that this all starts with research rather than shopping. Knowing what and why you want to buy something is essential to making the best purchases. You’ve got to reflect, starting with the following questions: What do I want to convey through my clothes? What do I typically feel my best in (and why)? Then, consider your non-negotiables according to colour, fabric and fit. Once you’ve narrowed these down, find some brands aligning with your newfound values. It’ll make the shopping process less overwhelming and a lot more efficient. Plus, knowing you are someone’s customer can be pretty satisfying. You only need a few of them. Just be sure they produce quality clothing and speak to you somehow. For example, look into Our Legacy if you like versatile, foundational clothing with a distinctive appeal. I might suggest Theophilio or Grace Wales Bonner for those who enjoy well-made garments with cultural signifiers. Identify the gaps in your wardrobe (if any) and select products from those brands accordingly.

By this point, you’ve begun outlining a philosophy - or at least a few adjectives to describe your style, with the clothes accompanying them. I think establishing a set of guiding principles and finding a way to interpret those best is what’s truly impressive. It’ll show. Gone are the days of putting on clothes just so someone can think you look nice. What’s next? What else? In an era of authenticity, clothing is the most genuine articulation of ourselves before we can do so audibly. When you go to a birthday dinner at a five-star restaurant or your interview with that dream company, it’s you that they’ll end up being most impressed by. The clothes are an enhancer, a mechanism. And when you’ve found a way to create a sense of harmony between yourself and the clothes, you’ve hit the fashion jackpot.

Authenticity, Personal Style, Make a good impression, and Validation are covered in this article on How Dressing for Yourself Could Inevitably Impress.