Savannah Morning News - 15 July 2006

Dressing For Battle and Being Noticed

I often get clients asking me how to get noticed – they want to be noticed by their boss or in the office by their colleagues, at a party or on a date, or on the campaign trail or simply amongst their friends. When I say "be noticed" I don't mean they want to make a spectacle of themselves – jump up on the tables or wear electric Red head-to-toe – but I mean they want to be paid attention to, want to be considered and well-regarded by others. In the Language of Clothes, we refer to this as "authority dressing." This is not power dressing but rather about dressing to convey authority, confidence and ability.  

Without realising it, we can convey quite the opposite by certain components of our wardrobe. We can create the impression of unreliability, fickleness, or a lack of consideration for others.  Most of us know, at an unconscious level anyway, that too much perfume can be distracting rather than pleasant, an old un-ironed shirt can be dissuasive rather than validating, and a lack of accessories can reflect an unfinished effort rather than someone that considers the details.  

Where people generally get stuck, is not on the etiquette aspect of dressing, but on how to upgrade themselves and how to make a point without overstepping the market.  For this, the language of clothes is what you need to become familiar with.  This language is seeped in history as sartorial rules were enforced first on the battlefield.  According to your rank and position, you wore certain garments, colour and decoration.  This would get someone's instant attention and you would automatically receive their respect.

This same philosophy is what we can apply today to our modern wardrobes in order to be noticed.  Using the battle attire metaphors to describe your wardrobe's various emblems of authority:

Armour – The armour is equivalent to your jacket.  Wearing a jacket, whether for casual or business, will give you added protection and thus confidence as well as stature and increased authority.  Taking a jacket off in a meeting symbolises opening up to your opponents and leveling the playing field.

Ammunition – The ammunition is equivalent to your belt. It communicates that you are pulled together and contained and ready for the challenge.  A man wearing no belt to hold up his trousers can convey that he isn't up to the job.

Neck Brace – The neck brace is equivalent to your tie, high neckline or scarf.  It covers the most vulnerable part of you – your jugular, and symbolises being untouchable and impenetrable.  Wearing a tie or high neckline is one of the quickest ways to feel protected in an interview. You feel less exposed to their interviewer and less off guard.

Medals – Your rank is indicated by your medals and is equivalent to your jewelery, watch and rings.  Your rank symbolises your achievements and conveys your status to others. A lack of medals indicates a lack of experience and wearing no watch indicates a lack of consideration for time or tardiness.  This has translated into the "bling-bling" aspect of the music scene.

Boots – The boots are equivalent to your shoes and symbolises strength, sure-footedness and conquest.  A heel for a woman is essential in the office as it ensures her rank is level with that of the booted male.  A rubber sole shoe can indicate weakness and a pedestrian sensibility.  Recently in The Netherlands the government passed a rule that if one is employed by the State, one couldn't wear a rubber-sole shoe.

Helmet or Headgear – The helmet or headgear is equivalent to the hat or hair piece.  It symbolises tribal identity and conveys fidelity to a tradition. Off the battlefield in certain ancient cultures, it had a religious significance and gave the impression of a divine force and authority.

Sword – The sword is equivalent to your pen or your cell phone.  It symbolises virtue and valour and has a double-edged aspect (as we use in figurative speech, "double-edged sword") in that it can be of great use but also destructive.  In our modern wardrobe, these items can be inadvertently destructive, for instance, when empty vanity or conceit takes over the show or when we let the figurative sword dominate us (e.g., letting the cell phone rule your life).

Shield – The shield is equivalent to your bag, briefcase or laptop.  It symbolises that you are 'on-guard'.  Without your shield, you are not fully guarded.  A common mistake is to have to many shields, for example a woman carrying her briefcase and her handbag. With this approach, you could easily look like the 'bag lady' rather than someone with authority.

Your outfit should include elements of the battle dress. You needn't use the full regalia, unless you have a very important occasion and you are playing a key role – such as a wedding.  But next time you dress for an event, consider your outfit and mark off how many items from the authority checklist that you are wearing.  Are these authority items in good condition and of good quality? Do you require additional adornment?  If you go to the office in shorts and a shirt or a short skirt and a t-shirt and flats, consider that you are giving away your authority. All the talk in the world won't get it back for you either!


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©2006 Sarah Whittaker  [www.thewardrobeshrink.com].
Don't know what to wear?  Book a consultation with Sarah and learn to create your own style and identity through your Image Type.
Sarah Whittaker has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines worldwide, and writes The Wardrobe Shrink Newsletter full of the latest fashion trends, celebrity style and honest image advice.

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