How has dressing better improved your life?

[Mr. Sartorial]

Hey guys,

I was going to put this in one of the style categories, but seems better if everyone can chat about it here. I wrote a post on my site about this today here and I wanted to canvas the guys on this site about how upping your style has improved your life. Have you been more successful with women? Have your contributions been noticed more at work? In my post I comment on the halo effect that comes with dressing better, but I wanted to get your thoughts here.

For me personally, I have way more success with women ever since I started dressing sharper outside of work. At work, where I've sold clothes, more customers have flocked to me because my style displays that I really know what I'm talking about. I've also seen a huge boon in job interviews where the interviewers have frequently commented on how professionally I'm dressed.

So that's just some of the ways that developing my sense of style has helped me, but how about for you?

 

[JayJay]

It's enhanced my awesomeness.

 

[Lane]

finally have become to find peace of mind

 

[Mr. Sartorial]

Originally Posted by Lane

finally have become to find peace of mind

If you don't mind me asking, can you elaborate?

 

[forStyle]

As a hobby, gives contentment, happiness, curiosity.

Attract the girls.

Keeps me warm, comfortable, and dry.

To judge others more effectively.

Better treatment from others.

Appreciation for everyday things, quality, craftsmanship.

More care towards appearance, how I walk, talk.

Feel in control of important aspect of life, creates confidence.

 

[acidboy]

nothing but satisfying my vanity, really.

 

[NAMOR]

Originally Posted by forStyle

As a hobby, gives contentment, happiness, curiosity. Attract the girls. Keeps me warm, comfortable, and dry. To judge others more effectively. Better treatment from others. Appreciation for everyday things, quality, craftsmanship. More care towards appearance, how I walk, talk. Feel in control of important aspect of life, creates confidence.
this

 

[pvrhye]

My new boss likes me better than my old one did, largely because I put on an image that he likes. Being an English teacher in Korea is partly a PR job, so if you look like somebody who might be on a poster, major brownie points. Korea's much more experimental with clothes too, so I can dress a little dandily as well.

 

[Gibonius]

Other than increased personal satisfaction, I don't think it has helped me at all. Probably hindered in some ways, since I'm spending money on it that could be invested or just for more "productive" things.

I met my wife back in college when I dressed like all the other college kids (like a bum), so dressing nice doesn't pull me any women. Well I get interest, but I'm not going to pursue any of it.

I currently work in a job where most people dress like they're just barely out of grad school, so dressing up doesn't help me there.


I guess I get better service at stores, but that's usually on relevant when I'm going to buy more clothes, so...

 

[Mr. Sartorial]

Originally Posted by Gibonius

I guess I get better service at stores, but that's usually on relevant when I'm going to buy more clothes, so...

This sort of made me laugh. I've sold clothes for several years and had customers tell me they dressed up just to come shopping so they could impress me. Going on a bit more of a tangent, I've had my buddies tell me they dressed up a bit more when they saw my name on the guest list for a party just so they didn't look bad (*Humblebrag*). Clothing is sort of funny how it has that affect on people.

 

[linkinwayne]

Eating good food used to be one my passions. I'd source ostrich meat and foie gras and eat only grass-fed beef etc. Thankfully, investing in clothes has shown me the error of my ways. I now survive on instant noodles, garbage bin scavenging, and TOJ varsity jackets. Thanks SF!

 

[Gibonius]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sartorial

This sort of made me laugh. I've sold clothes for several years and had customers tell me they dressed up just to come shopping so they could impress me. Going on a bit more of a tangent, I've had my buddies tell me they dressed up a bit more when they saw my name on the guest list for a party just so they didn't look bad (*Humblebrag*). Clothing is sort of funny how it has that affect on people.

The guy I share an office with has definitely stepped up his sartorial game since I moved in. Used to be cords and a dress shirt, now he's got a jacket and tie pretty much every day. Some nice ties too, good assortment of madras.

 

[jrd617]

Well fitting, well made clothing is more comfortable. High armhole jackets are a good example. You can get a full range of arm motion without pulling the entire jacket. Ditto for high armhole shirts. You can't get either at most mall stores.

Also, if you're in shape and your clothes fit and are well curated, you will get looks/smiles from women on the sidewalk and in elevators. Think about how a well fitting jacket emphasizes broad shoulders. Or how a gingham shirt or grenadine tie or draws attention because they're not seen on many people. Or how a pair of sleek-lasted calfskin/cordovan shoes draws attention from women. Many women say that one of the first things they notice on men is shoes.

They're not going to jump you then and there, but you have a better chance at starting a conversation than the other sloppy dressers. Of course, this doesn't replace personality, but it helps.

Plus, dressing in the "Manton-ian" (there, it's an adjective now) conservative business dress style cant have even greater benefits in the professional world. Dressing well gives you credibility in the work world. It signals to interviewers, bosses, and clients that you take your work seriously. You can even push the envelope and break up the monotony of gray and navy suits (see the thread).