When Style Says Everything About Your Personal Brand
Too often we think about branding as this big look and feel ethos for the vision you are trying to build, but branding isn’t just for products or companies — it also applies to yourself. In fact, it was Jeff Bezos who famously said, “your brand is what people say when you’re not in the room,” and your personal style is a big representation of that brand.
Whether you want to or not, you’re communicating with your appearance. It conveys your executive presence, it can connect you to team members without even saying a word, and it shapes your reputation over time. One study found that those who “look the part” in their profile pictures are more likely to be hired.
Being intentional about your style (whatever that may be) will let you consciously and authentically present yourself to the world and reclaim your executive brand.
Rediscover Your Style
You may think you don’t have a specific style — but do you have go-to jeans or blazers? When you see a nice pair of slacks or cool t-shirt, do you buy it? Do you wear specific accessories, like a watch or even headphones? If your answer is yes, then you have style, and it’s already saying something. To reclaim your style, you must first evaluate your current fashion choices and be honest with yourself about what message you’re sending with them. Signaling theory says that when there is information asymmetry between two people, one person decides which information should be conveyed to the other. This involves both communication from the sender and interpretation from the receiver. The part you have control over as the sender is how you communicate your personal brand. Some leaders choose to dress in formal business attire, while others opt for more of the casual hoodie and sneakers. Both send a powerful message. A 2021 study found that leaders who dress in a deviant clothing style can score hire ratings of charisma. Whatever you choose to wear, know what you are representing with your image.
Buy Quality over Quantity
When redesigning your closet, it can be tempting to go all out. Instead of starting from scratch, try pulling pieces you really love and note the qualities that make you love them so much. As a starting point while shopping, look for items that meet a similar criteria. Then, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Whether shopping online or in person, trying on a range of outfits is the best way to find what makes you feel confident and discover new cuts for your body type. It’s also important to focus on the quality of the items you’re bringing home. While luxury brands may seem like high quality options, they often use harmful dyes and chemicals that can wreak havoc on your health. On the other hand, inexpensive fast-fashion not only looks cheap, but they can also say something about your values. We recommend exploring brands like Quince and Everlane that promote quality and sustainability. Look across the entire supply chain and invest in brands that you love and align with your belief system.
Make it Personal
One of the most important parts about developing your style is making sure it’s yours. The venture capitalist’s style of Patagonia vests and button up shirts has become a “uniform” of whole industries. Do you want to conform or stand out? Instead of styling your outfits exactly like the photo online, use tools (and good tailors) to customize your pieces. Start by analyzing the colors you typically gravitate toward. Perhaps the colors that you like aren’t necessarily the ones conveying your desired branding. Certain shades may suit you more, while others are not in your ideal palette. Some colors, like red, can even impact other’s perception of your persuasion abilities. On the other hand, blue is often associated with trust and friendliness, yellow with confidence, and black with power. Going one step further, you can have a color analyst tell you which parts of the wheel will be your best look. You should also consider investing in tailoring. Though it’s an additional expense, it is worth the personalized touch that ensures your closet fits you just right and can really bring your brand to life. If you want more support, try services like a personal stylist or Stitch Fix. By adding personalized touches to your outfits, you can further curate your desired style.
Whether you choose to completely rebrand or just make minor changes to your wardrobe, being cognizant of your fashion choices will give you more power to fully represent yourself the way you intend.
