Making a Good First Impression by a Proper Selection of Dress
Vishnu Pareek
Fashion and Clothing Technology
DKTE Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute – Ichalkaranji, India
Email: vishnudkte@gmail.com
Purpose:
The purpose of making a good first impression through proper dress selection is to establish credibility, boost confidence, and communicate respect. It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In just a few seconds, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.
These initial judgments are powerful, you are evaluated and yet another person’s impression of you is formed. These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone for all the relationships that follows.
So, whether they are in your career or social life, it’s important to know how to create a good first impression.
Tips for Making a Good First Impression:
By following these guidelines, you can create a positive and lasting first impression by proper selection of dress.
1. Dress to impress:
Making a good first impression with your choice of dress is very important. We’ve all heard this old saying, but it’s timeless for a reason. Although today’s environment is much more casual than it was even 10 years ago, it is still important to dress the part.
The key here is to dress modestly and appropriately for the gathering you will be attending. There is no need to wear the latest Brioni suit, but do make sure that your clothing is clean and fits well. The last thing you want is to give off a negative impression before you even open your mouth. If you look sloppy, people will assume that you and your business are sloppy as well.
2. Speak clearly:
This point cannot be emphasized enough. Be sure to communicate clearly with the people you are meeting. Few things are more annoying than having to listen to someone without understanding what they are saying because they garble their words.
Focus on speaking at a moderate pace with a well-modulated voice. Do not be afraid to enunciate properly. Also, using proper grammar when speaking and avoiding slang is expected if you are to make a good first impression. Remember: If people can’t comprehend what you are saying, they will disregard you. Furthermore, be polite and courteous at all times.
You may also like: How to Develop a Good Dressing Sense
3. Use the person’s name:
Take a minute to think of some of the people you met recently. If you encountered someone who used your name from the get-go, you will likely agree that it made the conversation much more personal.
Furthermore, it shows the other person that you were paying attention from the very beginning and that you give them enough importance to memorize their name. A bonus is that by using their name immediately, you will be more likely to remember it and impress them even more should you run into them a second time.
4. Avoid jokes:
Humor is generally a good thing as far as business networking goes — as long as it is used prudently. A light crack or simple joke can do wonders to lighten the atmosphere and set the mood for a gathering. Unfortunately, if you are not careful and crack an off-color joke, the effect will be the opposite. You may end up facing a group of hostile people that have already put an “X” on you because of your poor choice of wit.
Avoiding jokes during the first encounter is the safe bet. If you really must make a wisecrack, go with something short and conservative so as to not offend anyone. You don’t want to be remembered as “that offensive fellow.”
5. Be a good listener:
Being a good listener is not as complicated as most people think it is. When having a discussion with someone, make sure to let him know in a subtle manner that you are paying attention to what is being said.
Don’t be afraid to nod your head and chime in with the occasional “I see,” or “I understand,” or any other verbal cue that shows the other person that you are indeed listening attentively. Also, feel free to ask questions (preferably non-threatening ones) if you are unsure of what the other person is trying to communicate.
Finally, do not interrupt when someone else is speaking. Interrupting someone in mid-sentence is extremely rude and will count as one strike against you in just about any social setting. Proper etiquette is suggested at all times.
6. Let the other person be the center of attention:
Perhaps the most important tip to follow when making a first impression is avoid hogging the spotlight. Let the other person be the center of attention. The worst mistake you can make is talking incessantly about yourself. You will come off as a selfish person who is only interested in himself, rather than appearing as someone who could help others further their business.
Ask the other person about himself and let him bask in the spotlight. You will not only appear to be gracious, but you will also learn more about the person you are dealing with. Pay close attention to the conversation; those little details may be useful in the future. Besides, your attire also reflects your personal brand, helping to create a positive and lasting impression that aligns with the image you want to project.
References:
- Overview of fashion – By T.S.Sowmya
- Textile progress- By Shubhangi Lalsare
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
