We Are What We Wear

I have never been a follower of fashion. That’s not to say that I don’t care what I wear — quite the contrary — I love dressing up.

We were taught at Secretarial College - yes, there really was such a thing back then - to dress smartly if we worked in an office to project a professional image.

Ringing the changes

Secretaries are no longer invaluable or even necessary these days. I believe that in certain situations, a secretary or assistant, can be extremely helpful to a busy executive, whose time, in monetary terms, is worth more than that of a secretary and the assistant can take care of the mundane things that help keep things running smoothly and efficiently. After all, time is money.

Suits — what a drama

Who would have taken those lawyers and paralegals seriously in the drama, Suits, if they had been wearing jeans and sneakers? All those tailored, edgy outfits were worn to cut the mustard in meetings, boardrooms and courtrooms and were definitely projecting an image.

It’s all about that image. It shouts, ‘I am confident, I know what I am talking about and I will do battle for you in the courtroom.’ Of course, you will be charged a lot of money for that service, but that is what lawyers do.

Dressing how you want to feel is a way to embody the state of mind you seek and to shape other people’s perceptions of you in a positive way.

But fashion doesn’t simply shape our perception and self-expression; fashion also influences how we are treated by other people, which can impact our mental well-being.

Working from home

Like tens of thousands of others around the world, I now work from home. I was office-based before the pandemic. I admit that I don’t wear my smart office garb while at my desk, but neither do I slob around in a pair of ‘trackie bottoms’ (English slang for tracksuit bottoms/pants) — I believe the equivalent are sweat pants in the U.S.

I like to wear something smart because it affects my mindset. When I am in ‘office’ mode I feel professional which, in turn, makes me feel confident and strong enough to tackle any tasks that I have taken on.

I am always ‘Zoom-ready’ because it’s part of my persona and I always like to look my best, especially if an unexpected video call pops up during my working day.

When I worked in offices, most of them had a strict dress code and I hated dress-down days. It meant that the more fortunate staff members could show off their designer clothes, leaving me feeling like the underdog. Smart-casual is a look that I have tried to perfect over the years but I always err on the side of smart because when I dress casually, I feel scruffy. Besides, if I look good, I feel good.

School Uniforms are a good thing

I think the same applies to school uniforms. When all the kids have to wear the same outfit, it not only identifies them as going to a certain school but it creates a sense of belonging.

As soon as the uniform is dispensed with, a competitive edge creeps in (like which kid has the most expensive, designer trainers), and other kids can develop inferiority complexes. They are not all equal when it comes to what they are wearing. Some would argue that this creates individuality but on the flip side, it can create animosity from those less fortunate. Kids can be very cruel sometimes.

I have been guilty of this in the past

We should never judge a book by its cover but sadly, a lot of us do. I try not to judge a person on how they are dressed because it has no bearing on their personality or whether I will like them or not. Sometimes, for example, when a multi-millionaire wears a jumper with holes in or down at the heel shoes when they are at home, this probably reflects their personality and how they feel about clothes. Personally, if I were a multi-millionaire, I would relish wearing beautiful, expensive clothes.

Top of the work agenda

Dressing smartly is not at the top of everybody’s agenda but it is at the top of mine and although my wardrobe has shrunk in terms of the number and style of outfits that I need, I still have a selection of smart clothes to wear. It affects how I feel about myself, and that affects my mindset.

My mental health and well-being are positively impacted by how I feel when I dress well. I can knuckle down and concentrate 100% on my work and my writing. I can’t write if I’m not in a good place mentally.

A shock to the system

As I happily tip-tap away on the keyboard at my desk, my mindset is such that I feel like a professional worker/writer. Having been an office-based nine-to-fiver for most of my adult life, working from home came as quite a shock. Suddenly, I had no commute, no car worries, no parking permits to buy, shorter days, and more productive days. The downsides, honestly? None. I don’t miss office politics one bit. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy being my own boss. As long as I put in the hours, I can be as flexible as I like and that’s a great feeling.

Thought for the day

If the way you dress makes you feel good, then that must have a positive impact on your mental health and general well-being.

Who doesn’t enjoy feeling great?

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This article was first published on Medium, where you can find more of my work. Why not get a weekly update from me in England by signing up to Rosy's Ramblings? I publish every Saturday and it's free!