Entrepreneurs will know that each product they create should be appealing and grab your customer or client’s attention. But did you know that your own personal appearance has an incredible impact on how likely people would buy from you or build a relationship with you?

First impressions really do count

All relationships begin with a first impression. Your clients, colleagues and customers unconsciously grade you on your image and appearance. The way you dress and how you carry yourself communicates a message to all those around you.  How many of us have met and interviewed candidates and immediately made up our mind within the first five minutes of seeing them?

That’s why it’s wise to consider what kind of image you want to present to the world. After all, it’s one of the few things in your personal and professional life that you have absolute control over.

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Your appearance can influence the way you come across

How you present yourself is a persuasive factor in someone’s decision to hire you and your business. Your clothing and outward appearance shapes expectations others make about your education level, career prospects and personal competence. When you pay attention to the details, your clients and customers will feel that you are as careful with their time and money as you are with yours.  The way you dress and position yourself will show how much you can deliver and how much a client can trust your word.  The way you dress more often than not reflects your personality and remember once a first impression is engraved, it’s very hard to it wipe off.

Your appearance can influence the way you feel about yourself

In a new CareerBuilder.com survey, 41 percent of employers said that people who dress better or more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others in their organization.  The survey also found that financial services sector is one of the industries that dressing professionally has the most impact on promotion.  Is that due to a higher level of confidence from people who dress well or is it the impression they give to their bosses around their professionalism at work?

“Self-confidence is like a mental muscle: Everyone is born with it, but not everyone flexes it.” – a quote from Sheena Amin in Elite Daily.  It may or may not be agreed upon as everybody has a different sense of what dressing well means.  As long as you believe you’re well dressed, this gives you a good perception of yourself which eventually gets translated into how others perceive you.  According to Daily Mail, you are what you dress.  Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire said that specific clothing – including even superhero T-shirts – can make people more confident in all sorts of situations.

Any help in revamping the wardrobe?

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Here are some tips and tricks to help you dress to impress

Men: Women:
Your style is developed from within. You can appear casual and effortless, even in a suit, ensure the fit and fabric of your clothing makes you feel as comfortable as when you wear jeans and a T-shirt.You don’t have to spend thousands of dirhams to look nice. Just make sure your clothes are good quality and fit well:

  • Choose a suit that best flatters your body type and makes you feel great each time you wear it
  • Hire an expert tailor to make sure it fits you to perfection. Your dress shirt is your secret way to express your personality. The colour and style of your shirt provides a mode of self-expression, especially if you decide not to wear a tie
  • Choose a collar shape that complements your face. If you want your shirts to last longer and require less dry cleaning, wear an undershirt.
 A truly professional woman will have the presence that makes her attractive, memorable and distinct. Your wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring, bland or unimaginative. Colourful or distinctive “statement” pieces, including your handbag, shoes and jewellery, convey taste, personality and style. A classic blazer will help you project confidence and authority whenever you have to give a presentation or attend an important meeting. Ensure your jacket fits well and complements your body shape. There are certain “closet capsules,” or investment pieces, that every career woman should own. Invest in your overall appearance with some or all of these items:

  • a black or camel-tone coat
  • a classic watch
  • black-patent pumps
  • a little black dress
  • a good pair of jeans
  • a lightweight black linen suit
  • a cashmere wrap
  • a timeless handbag

These staples can be mixed and matched with other items in your wardrobe to create multiple outfits and establish your signature look.