link to this article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/232695
My mother is in charge of my wardrobe ever since I was born. In fact, many women, like my mother, are still the ones controlling what the men in the family wear. In fact, men are often joked as 'poor shoppers' who will buy an item at first sight instead of looking around for a cheaper and better bargain. So, this has encouraged many women to take things into their own hands and do the shopping.
This is no longer the case today.
Luxury brands around the world are now seeing the growth potential in men-only clothes market and are now putting greater emphasis on their stores to attract men. This has led many luxury brands venturing into markets specially dedicated for men.
I believe that men today are looking to make themselves more exclusive. Gone are the days when people were simply contented with a suit for work. As the saying goes, "clothes make the man." With a good business suit readily available and affordable to many people today, men today need to be more fashion savy and exclusive to readily distinguish themselves from others.
How do clothes make the man exactly? Clothes can help to shape the perception of us in front of others. It is one of the types of personal constructs under the cognitive schemata. Everybody knows that it is very important to dress yourself up appropriately. However, to enhance one's image even further, it is even more important to find the best and most exotic brands to do the job. It is sufficient to have a watch for a business man but it would be a lot better if the watch is of a luxury brand. It will even be much better if your watch is one that is endorsed by professional golfers and this will show your clients that you are a golf enthusiast, making a business deal more likely to be successful if your client is also a golf enthusiast.
Another way that clothes can make a man is to enhance the prototypes or role constructs under the cognitive schemata that people already have about you. Many people already know that you are the manager of a particular department. It will be much better if you are holding onto a Gucci handbag and a suit bought from Raoul. The accessories and clothes that you are wearing will further reinforce the image that you are an extremely successful manager, which is why you can afford such luxurious items on yourself. Therefore, this will help to instill a sense of confidence in your clients and business associates.
However, despite all these examples above, will the over emphasis on clothes and appearance make our society a superficial one? There are two pitfalls involving perception, which are distortion and oversimplification. Distortion occurs when we fail to prioritize the important info or select the wrong information and prioritize this particular wrong information. A man that is so extravagantly dressed is immediately perceived to be a successful man, despite the fact that a successful business needs to be equally as skilled in his oral and business abilities. The same goes for oversimplification when our minds immediately jump into the conclusion that he is extremely successful. These two pitfalls will cause us to jump hastily into conclusion and make us overlook some of the person's other traits.
On the other hand, if you are not dressed impressively enough, it may not be good enough in the minds of others even though you possess incredible oral and business abilities.
Therefore, have your say! Is image that important?
The ideas expressed in this blog article are filled with probing issues that many people should think about. Indeed, "clothes maketh a man". However, it is never the only factor, or the vital factor for that matter, that contributes to the image of a man. Other factors include the way a man carries himself; confidence, the way he speaks, body posture; all speak of the overall impression a man leaves with his clients, friends and boss. In fact an adroit person probably leaves a very positive impression with anyone he meets. Undeniably image is important as it is human nature to treat one another based on the impression they have of another person. It is therefore crucial that a man grooms and dresses himself well. Of course, the confidence factor is indispensible in this case.
ReplyDeleteTo think that only women can shop well is a complete travesty. Not only is this a lie, it gives men the excuse to dress sloppily anyhow, anyday.
However, in recent years, men have risen to their potential in dressing themselves up; it is undoubtedly true that men are beginning to shop at high-end exquisite boutiques. This can be a prove that men are beginning to understand the importance of 'Image' in today's society.
'Image IS Important' is due to society's growing perception that a well presented person is of high calibre and status. However, it is never always true. One must nver be veiled by the fact that anyone can learn to dress well and behave like a VIP. Nevertheless, a person of high status and calibre probably has a bigger ego and higher standards of himself - thus gearing himself towards 'looking attractive'.
Image IS therefore crucial to provide clients / boss / friends a comfortable sight when they meet you. However, ultimately, it is the character, maturity and confidence that gears a man to success.
Thanks for your comments. However, people still rely mainly on perceptions. First impression always counts. A person with the best first impression always has the edge over others. Quite a practical world, eh?
ReplyDeleteThe quest for distinction has long been around. Kings are regaled in the royal colours of Purple or yellow to distinct the difference between royalty and peasants. Even the Biblical Joseph was given a distinctive multi-colour clock to show the favor of his father upon him.
ReplyDeleteWe as Homo Sapiens activate our sensory stimuli in judging ours through sight, sound and feel. Hence I am not surprise when people make judgment based on what people wear. Inasmuch, as we try to debunk the fact that our society is superficial in how we tend to judge ours based on looks- we can’t help it but to see that we may indeed be wired in this way. “oversimplification when our minds immediately jump into the conclusion that he is extremely successful”. The author here has noted an interesting point that we may be such simpleton as to tend to oversimplify this. “Distortion occurs when we fail to prioritize the important info or select the wrong information and prioritize this particular wrong information” , I totally respect the author’s statement, maybe in this age of an information overload, prioritizing the correct info as what the author says may prove to be tedious and difficult. Hence, people tend to judge by what they can easily see. Definitely seeing is an easier tasks than perceiving. Thus with all due respect, Image is important in our modern day context, more so in the 21st Century.
It is just the world's perception and mindset that changes one's thought. There are cases whereby the rich does not dress like a rich. I feel that the main reason why people are so particular about their image, is because of the environment he/she grew up in.
ReplyDeleteIf you are someone born in a less developed country, would you care about your image? The answer is no. This is because you probably do not have enough clothes, food as well as shelter. Therefore, I feel that image is only important to the people in the developed countries.
I would like agree with The Cheong that first impression do count even though we don't like to admit it. The first information we learn about someone influences us more than later information does. It's called the primacy effect that we learn in Psychology. It's also harder for you to change your impression on someone if you dont spend enough time with that person,therefore, the first impression is still very important.
ReplyDeleteI think that image is very important in today's society because people mainly judge according to their first impression of you and the way you portray yourself.
ReplyDeleteImage = money = whether you are successful or not.
Since this is the case, if you do not care about your image, it is very likely that you will be looked down upon if you do not possess any 'branded' items on you.
It is also quite evident that image also helps you build a wider social circle, whether these 'friends' did it for positive or negative intentions. Therefore, it can be seen as an important socialising tool in the society today.
You mentioned that overemphasis on clothes and appearance may make our society a superficial one, but this is exactly how our society is like now which is quite depressing. Everything is linked to money and brands.
- Wenhui :)
Clothes use to be serving on the purpose of functionality. They provided warmth and decency. But these days, they serve more than that.
ReplyDeleteThese shells are now forms of expression. Expressions of one's individuality and acts as a source of empowerment. Take a look at the runways of Haute Couture designers such as the late Alexander Mcqueen's. How functional are most of the designs? Not so, I would dare say. Instead, they are expressions of his individuality.
Often, these articles of designs draw buyers' spending power, because buyers appreciate the idea of collection some part of Alexander Mcqueen's individual self.
While we can be define by what we wear - our image, let's not make the mistake of judging a book by its cover.
Clothes use to be serving on the purpose of functionality. They provided warmth and decency. But these days, they serve more than that.
ReplyDeleteThese shells are now forms of expression. Expressions of one's individuality and acts as a source of empowerment. Take a look at the runways of Haute Couture designers such as the late Alexander Mcqueen's. How functional are most of the designs? Not so, I would dare say. Instead, they are expressions of his individuality.
Often, these articles of designs draw buyers' spending power, because buyers appreciate the idea of collection some part of Alexander Mcqueen's individual self.
While we can be define by what we wear - our image, let's not make the mistake of judging a book by its cover.
I think how a person dresses shows a lot about their personality and individuality. If there was a job interview and you meet one guy dressed in an impeccable suit and another in shorts and slippers, both of equal educational level, which would you hire? Of course what you said about how all these in the end is due to our perception of things. If shorts and slippers were what you would consider formal wear in our society, then would you still hire the guy in the suit?
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is no longer the case because of the rise of the metrosexual men. And yes I will agree that clothes do affect other's impression of one through the concepts that you have descirbed. It will also communicate and show a certain aspect of the 'wearer'. However, I find that clothes are indeed superficial and will only affect one's first impression. It can only go so far.
ReplyDeleteJust my two kents worth.
Yes I agree that first impression counts in society these days. It is an absolute necessity to dress well to hold your image when you are outside working. However, one does not need to buy all designer's clothes just to look good. Even normal clothes can also bring out the charm in you if you know how to mix and match ard the clothes you have.
ReplyDeleteIn our superficial world today, image is of utmost importance. It has been proven that people with greater image rise faster in the corporate world than those who tend to be shabbily dressed and make no efforts to maintain a modicum of image. The widespread belief is that "what you see is what you get", so the better the image, the supposedly "better" the person. This is sad, but true.
ReplyDeleteWell, looking good and presentable is also part of the 'package' besides being good in your oral and business skills. By looking good, you generate a very positive feeling as this will relate to your business skills. Do not just think about the parts. Think about the overall package.
ReplyDeleteYes, image is that important nowadays, but not the most important. Being able to boost the economy with the existence of metrosexuals does help but ultimately, humans do look beyond that 'outer shell'. For a simple analogy, it is just like a cool-looking guy but the image shatters the moment he smiles to reveal his smoker-tainted teeth. So, is image that important? Yes. Is it the most important? Probably not.
ReplyDeleteImage is not 100% about what you wear. Of course dress for the occasion, i have never heard of any lecturers who wear scuba diving suit to give lectures(other than Alberto Giacometti). And yes, if you were CEO and you are filthy rich, imagine the temptation to try expensive clothes to set you apart from the commoners. If i had 100 dollars for coffe, it would not be appropriate to go to a Hawker centre. Yes, what we wear tells who we are, talented or not depends on individuals.
ReplyDeleteI believe a pleasant image is important to make a good first impression, and a good first impression has become so important in the modern society that it could make or break a business deal, potential romantic relationship or even a career. In a society where time has become a precious commodity, people are quick to form impressions and opinions of other people, and act on that impression, which is why increasing importance has given to a person's image. However, it is only through long-term interactions that a person's character, and personality can be shown, making people look beyond the surface.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam. Sometimes I really strongly believe that it is the person's character. I am just angry at society at how first impression can easily mislead people's minds, disregarding the inner self of the person completely.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that over emphasis on clothes and appearance make our society a superficial one. Yes, image an bearing is extremely important as how you handle yourself does show how you many other situations. However, it is often the inner qualities that make up how capable the person is. What we perceive on the outer beauty towards a person's capability and character are most of the time merely closures and we do know that that is definitely not the best way of making a conclusion.
ReplyDelete