The Everyday Icon Style Podcast

Episode 169: The Power of First Impressions: Your Wardrobe as Your Secret Weapon

• Tiffany Howard

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Transform your wardrobe into a powerful tool for professional success by understanding the importance of first impressions. This episode emphasizes how intentional dressing, grooming, and strategic wardrobe choices can enhance your image and create new opportunities. 
• Understanding the science of first impressions 
• Your wardrobe as a visual representation of your personal brand 
• Using clothing strategically to empower confidence 
• Establishing authority through deliberate attire choices 
• Boosting confidence with well-fitting and stylish outfits 
• Creating opportunities through your appearance 
• Key strategies for mastering first impressions 
• Importance of consistency in daily wardrobe choices 
• Tailoring and fitting clothes for a polished look 
• The impact of grooming and accessories on professional image

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Speaker 1:

Ignite your style with the Everyday Icon Style Podcast. I'm Tiffany, your style navigator and confidant here to lead women in corporate America on the quest to discover their timeless style. Let's revolutionize your wardrobe, empower your confidence and embrace your inner icon. Are you ready to redefine your corporate chic? Then let's get started. Hi everyone, and welcome back to the Everyday Icon Style Podcast. I'm your host, tiffany, your favorite executive wardrobe strategist, dedicated to helping you elevate your wardrobe and unlock your professional potential through style. So in today's episode, we're going to dive into the power of first impressions and how your wardrobe can be your ultimate secret weapon and I think we totally underestimate how powerful our wardrobe can be. And we'll also uncover why your appearance matters, how to make a lasting impact and, of course, a few steps to ensure that your wardrobe aligns with both your professional and personal goals. And by the end of this episode, you'll see your wardrobe not as an optional effort, but as an essential tool for success. So let's get started.

Speaker 1:

So first up is what exactly is the science behind first impressions? Now, research shows that people form impressions within the first seven seconds of meeting you. Nowadays it's probably five or three seconds. So when we're in professional settings, this initial judgment can influence everything from how competent you're perceived to whether you're trusted with opportunities. And, while your skills and personality eventually speak for themselves, your appearance sets the stage for how others receive you. So if they don't receive and perceive you the way that you want them to, everything else doesn't even matter, or they'll find out months or years down the road that you're actually this exceptional, great person when it comes to your career. But you have to set the stage first. You don't want them to think about it months later. You want them to think about it now. So when they think of you for something in the future, you're the first person that comes to mind.

Speaker 1:

Now. Your wardrobe is a visual representation of your personal brand. Call it your visual business card, so to speak. So you want to ask yourself are you conveying confidence, professionalism and competence, or does your clothing suggest you're unprepared or out of touch or you're not friendly? You want to take all of that in mind because we are trying to create something to where we already know that the skill sets there, the degrees are there. We're not worried about that. We are now adding this, your secret weapon that will literally be chef's kiss and make everything else moving forward, that you will always be front of mind when people think of you or need something, and you're the first one that they think of.

Speaker 1:

So next up number two is using your wardrobe as a strategic tool, and we don't do this enough. Using your wardrobe as a strategic tool and we don't do this enough. We just think that clothes are just something. Okay, well, I'm gonna just put this on and I'm gonna go to work, do my eight hours, come home and then be like done for the day. No, you want to think of your wardrobe more so as your armor for the professional world. It's not just about looking good, it's about also feeling empowered and confident. So when you dress the part, you're signaling to yourself first, and everybody else second, that you're ready to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. And I'm sure that you have outfits that, when you put them on, it's like you can tackle the world and take on the world. This is what you want to do every single day.

Speaker 1:

So here are three ways your wardrobe can actually become your secret weapon. One it'll establish authority. Now, with your appearance, it can make you look capable and credible. Here's how I like to kind of explain this, and it's probably way left field, but have you ever seen con artist? I can't remember the show that was on I think it was Hulu about a socialite who wasn't really a socialite but she looked the part. That's what you want to do. It establishes this authority and that they're usually, when it comes to, like con artists. I know that's wild and crazy, but they're usually the best way to describe it, because even though they don't have any money, they are trying to break into a circle that they don't really belong to. But they do it with how they dress Because they always look the part, and when you look the part, then people think that they're credible and they're capable. So you want to keep that in mind. Next, it's a great confidence booster.

Speaker 1:

So wearing clothes that fit well and align with your style gives you an instant confident boost. We think that we have to get out of this mindset of I'm just going to put this on and I'm going to go to work, but if I want you, the next time you get dressed, I want you to see how does what you wear make you feel first, and if it just makes you feel blah, then you're going to look blah and everybody else is going to see that you look blah because you feel that you look blah. So I want us to begin to think and wear pieces it could be clothing, it could be accessories that give you just that little boost and see how that goes. And that is what eventually, your closet will do for you. It will be like your ultimate confident booster will do for you. It will be like your ultimate confident booster.

Speaker 1:

Most importantly, create opportunities. People are more likely to trust you and invest in someone who looks the part. So if you're walking in and they don't see, it goes back to how do you set the stage for how people see you? Trustworthiness Are you capable? Are you the person that, if they send you to say, if you're the executive assistant for the COO, can they send you to the CEO with an idea or to have a discussion with them? You have to keep this in mind. If they don't see you as such, they're not going. You're not. Your trust is only going to go.

Speaker 1:

But so far, because we are all in roles me included, even though I'm an administrative assistant. We are in roles of trustworthiness. That is like high level, and just by how you dress can also help determine if they could trust you or not. It's crazy, but we have to begin to think about all of this. Completely different than what we're used to as executive assistants even in my role as an administrative assistant we're the gatekeepers. Our bosses ask us and I remember distinctly years ago, how is he dressed? Because we had somebody coming in for a branch management position interview and I said well, he looks good. They take our words. As we begin to build a relationship with them, they begin to value what we say and trust what we say is true. So always keep that in mind.

Speaker 1:

Now, lastly, I'm going to give you three keys to mastering first impressions with your wardrobe. To mastering first impressions with your wardrobe. Now, to harness the power of our first impressions, I want you to focus on these three key areas. Consistency we want to ensure that your daily wardrobe aligns with the image you want to project. If at all possible, avoid days where you're overly casual or unkept. Every day is an opportunity to make an impact, even if you are working virtually or remotely. That might mean investing in some cute at leisure wear. I'm not saying you have to go out and put on like suits or blouses or jeans if you don't, so choose to, but some very nice at leisure wear, because you never know who's going to pop on the screen, you never know when you're going to be called into a meeting, so you always want to still not look overly casual. But I like to say to where you can still go out, run errands, go to lunch, go to brunch, whatever have you. First impressions especially virtually matter, and I think that's where we have to keep in mind we're not just dressing for going into the office, but also virtually as well.

Speaker 1:

Attention to fit, as always, is a must. Clothes that don't fit well, whether they're too big or too small, can undermine an otherwise elevated look. So tailoring is your best friend. Lastly, incorporate power pieces, statement items like our blazers, jewelry, handbags, coats like trench coats or wool coats. They can convey professionalism and authority in a way that we never really imagine or consider. Consider if you see someone with an outfit on and then they have on this nice like wool long, whether it's three quarter lengths or long wool coat. It kind of brings everything together. No-transcript what those actual power pieces are. Now, lastly, a few steps to turn your wardrobe into a secret weapon. Audit your wardrobe. I will die and stand on this hill until Jesus comes back.

Speaker 1:

Your closet is what's holding you back, so you have to get in there and eliminate everything and anything that doesn't fit well, that's outdated or doesn't align with your goals now and for who you are right now Not who you were five years ago and not who you're going to be when we retire, because that'll be a whole other set of things, but who you are in this corporate space right now. Next, define your look. I want you to identify just a few key pieces, a few key outfits that make you feel confident and capable. These should be your go-to options for important meetings or events. But what I'm going to show you as the time goes on is your whole entire closet will be able to do this all the time that you can go in there, close your eyes, pull pieces out, and you're always going to look the bombcom and you're always going to have this elevated look, and you will never have to worry about it, because what we're also trying to do is get rid of decision fatigue as well. I want you to invest in your essentials, so your versatile staples. This is what I like to call your corporate capsule wardrobe. This should only be 15% of your wardrobe, not your whole wardrobe, unless you so choose, but just 15%. This is your foundation. This is what we're going to build everything else on. This is what we're going to build your at-leisure wear on, your corporate pieces for when you go into the office. All of this will help with building your mix and match wardrobe, because that is what we're looking and going for.

Speaker 1:

Prioritize your grooming and accessories. Even though I'm saying this last, this is probably the easiest way to get started with this. What are your grooming habits? Hair, nails, including skincare. I will even put healthcare in there as well. Meaning are you going to your annual appointments every year? Because all of that helps, is a part of your appearance and a part of your grooming. I want us to think about our grooming, not just, even though I said hair and nails yes, that's part of it, but we have a whole body and we have to make sure both inside and outside is together and, of course, with the accessories. I'm leaning into this a little more. So, when it comes to accessories, get some good everyday jewelry that you can start playing around with and wearing every day, to kind of help with building that look, with building that look.

Speaker 1:

Now here's the big thing that I want you to remember your wardrobe has the power to change how the world perceives you and how you perceive yourself.

Speaker 1:

I want you to find, say, your favorite celebrity, and I want you to go back and I want you to see how, through the years and through the times, their style has evolved, because all of them have evolved.

Speaker 1:

This is just part, this is the stop, this is the place of your evolution, of elevating your wardrobe, and it is something that can be so impactful, and more impactful than what we and what you give credit for.

Speaker 1:

So, if you're ready to transform your wardrobe into your secret weapon for professional success, I just have a resource for you. In the description box, show notes of this episode, I invite you to download my weekend wardrobe edit guide. This guide will help you take your instant practical steps in a weekend to help you get your wardrobe and your closet together, because they go hand in hand, and all you have to do is just click the link in the notes below to access your copy today to help with taking the first steps towards owning your professional presence. So, thank you so very much for tuning into the Everyday Icon Style Podcast and remember, style is more than what you wear, it's how you show up in the world. And until next time, stay healthy, stay safe, and I will talk to you guys next month in the world. And until next time, stay healthy, stay safe, and I will talk to you guys next month in the next episode.