Impression Dressing

Today’s Fashion Attire: Today I’m wearing a cotton royal blue and light blue chevron stripe maxi dress with spaghetti straps that cris-cross in the back (Gap $28), dark wash denim jacket (Old Navy $25) grey flats with bow detail (Payless Shoe Source $14) and signature sterling silver star pendant.

Outfit Justification:  The heat wave continues, and I always head to my trusted maxi dresses when it’s warm.  Since I’m still fighting off a cold and combating the frigid air of my office I’m sporting the denim jacket.  It’s a combination that’s practical yet cute. I’m making up for yesterday’s jean and camo t-shirt combination. (Yes Becky, there is a picture).

Impression Dressing: What Does That Mean?

How many times have you seen an invitation to something and the words “Dress to impress” appear? I’ve seen it more times than I can count. Especially when the event that the invitation is for is at a nightclub. I’ve always took that to mean find the sluttiest thing you can wear without getting arrested to impress the bouncer so he’ll let you in. And if you’re a guy, wear something that doesn’t make you look less intimidating to the bouncer.  But the truth of the matter is that we dress to impress when it comes to things that are super important in life: job interview, first date, audition, meeting the parents and etc.  You want to do what you can to impress someone else.  You want to make the best impression you can with your appearance. Yes we’ve been told to not judge a book by it’s cover, but the truth of the matter is that it’s human nature to pass judgment solely on appearance before the person has spoken even one word. It’s sucks, but that’s what happens. The thing is in life there is a need to impress other people. We want to present the best package out there so people will be willing to unwrap the package to find out what’s inside.  You want people to know what you’re all about, but they have to be wiling to look at package to want to know what’s you’re all about.

When it comes to impression dressing the person you need to impress first is yourself.  You can make a great impression in whatever you wear, if you feel comfortable and confident wearing it. Whatever the occasion or the audience you’re trying to impress, the very first question that should asked of yourself is “What item of clothing makes me comfortable and at ease?”  If you start with that question and make that your foundation you will always be at your most confident in whatever you’re wearing.  I would suggest taking a step back and examining what you want to project.

I’ll step through this process by using myself as an example. I have an audition coming up. I would very much like this audition to open up doors for my singing career this is how I’m going about picking the right outfit for this audition.

Q: What item of clothing makes me comfortable: A: A Dress.

Q: What’s the occasion? A: A vocal audition.

Q: What am I trying to project? A: Who I am as an artist.

Q: Who are you as an artist? A: I’m the unexpected rocker chick.

Q: What does this mean to you? A: Lace, denim, leather, black, silver.

Q:  What items scream “This is Vivian”? A: The color blue, dresses, black, accessories, great shoes, blue hair, vintage, classic, big smile.

Q: Who’s your audience? A: A producer, other musicians.

These questions help me define who I feel I am. They help figure out what I want to project with my outfit. After examining what I’m putting out there, I look for the aspects of my wardrobe that make my statement. I start with the elements that make me feel comfortable and I look for ways to polish them up and make the “package shiny”. If I don’t have what I need, then that means a shopping trip is going to be involved. (And we know how much hate shopping)  With the answers in my head to the above questions I start the search for my audition outfit.  I’m always comfortable in a dress.  I need to find a dress that has the elements of being a rocker yet still feminine. Something with edge, but comfy so I can breathe and sing freely.  I might be waiting around for a while, so it’s needs to comfortable and suited for the current weather situations: ie. cold air conditioning, blustering heat, etc. I knew I was looking for something that was black because it would be sliming, and it compliment the blue streaks in my hair. I wanted something with lace or an animal print to give me the rocker edge. Ultimately I found a black lace maxi dress with a high-low effect. The dress has vintage aspects of it, it’s flattering and with the right accessories it will give me the rocker the edge I’m looking for. I know that this dress will give me the right amount of comfort and appeal to give me the confidence I need to network and wow the producer and get the gig.

Again this is just an example.  Your questions and answers will be different. The questions are going to vary for different occasions. Questions regarding for a first date might be “How sexy should I project” “What feature on myself do I really want to highlight”. If it’s a job interview, your questions might be “What kind of company environment is this for?” “If this is a jeans an t-shirt place?” “Should I forgo the conservative navy or black suit for nice slacks and blouse? Questions for meeting someone for the time, like a significant other’s parents, “What about me do I want these people to know about me?”.

In the end, I want to express that you have to impress you first. And if you’re impressed with yourself, you’ll shine in your outfit. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. And when someone tells you how fabulous you look, remember to say “Thank you”. :)