Thinking You Look Good Makes You Look Better

[mensimageconsultant]

If you think you look good, you will look even better. Anyone who watches shows such as What Not to Wear probably believes it. Often the subjects aren't physically attractive by objective standards, and sometimes they don't objectively look much better after being given some style; but they almost always (helped by editing, probably) rave about how much better they feel and some of them cite improved social confidence.

This post is intended to do more than state a truism, but to try to explain it. Clearly, feeling good can come from positive reactions, but they in turn are a response to something. To some extent, it's body language. Research - not done as much as it should be - shows that good posture, eye contact, smiling, etc. - are very important socially. Additionally, though it's probably beyond the realm of research, feeling "confident" about one's appearance can distract the mind from other thoughts and therefore avoid negative mental energy that can worsen one's facial expression. (That boost is more likely if one is not normally styled that way. Otherwise, there's not much reason to be excited.)

Yes, there are people who feel good and seem positive regardless of how they look. Yes, satisfaction with one's style probably won't really help when already engaged in conversation. But it's hard to argue that visual benefits from thinking you look good move things in the right direction.

Now is an opening for comments and especially any first-hand observations (for example, of others, of yourself on videotape) of the phenomena in action. Please

 

[turboman808]

Can't say I disagree. I am a strong believer in the transfer or energy. Anything you can do to repel negative energy and bring more positive energy your way I say go for it.

Sorry if that sounds to much like a hippy. LOL

I don't need to dress nice, I don't need sports cars or a nice home. They do however help to bring even more positive energy your way. Ice cream is good but ice cream with sprinkles and a cherry is better.

 

[mr monty]

It makes you FEEL better. You may look like a fool or clown to others, but you feel good about yourself. This guy's outfit may not be SF approved. I bet he feels just as good as the SFs that post photos in the "what are you wearing right now" thread.

 

[NH_Clark]

Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant

If you think you look good, you will look even better. Anyone who watches shows such as What Not to Wear probably believes it. Often the subjects aren't physically attractive by objective standards, and sometimes they don't objectively look much better after being given some style; but they almost always (helped by editing, probably) rave about how much better they feel and some of them cite improved social confidence.

This post is intended to do more than state a truism, but to try to explain it. Clearly, feeling good can come from positive reactions, but they in turn are a response to something. To some extent, it's body language. Research - not done as much as it should be - shows that good posture, eye contact, smiling, etc. - are very important socially. Additionally, though it's probably beyond the realm of research, feeling "confident" about one's appearance can distract the mind from other thoughts and therefore avoid negative mental energy that can worsen one's facial expression. (That boost is more likely if one is not normally styled that way. Otherwise, there's not much reason to be excited.)

Yes, there are people who feel good and seem positive regardless of how they look. Yes, satisfaction with one's style probably won't really help when already engaged in conversation. But it's hard to argue that visual benefits from thinking you look good move things in the right direction.

Now is an opening for comments and especially any first-hand observations (for example, of others, of yourself on videotape) of the phenomena in action. Please

+1

Absolutely!! I was speaking with one of my colleagues and he was asking about my clothes, shoes (wearing my C&J belgraves today

). I've pointed him to this forum but mentioned that his first step is to feel good about himself.