Communicating Through Clothes

"Style is a simple way of saying complicated things." - Jean Cocteau

Some thoughts on the language of style:

Every morning you get dressed, and what you choose to wear communicates something to the rest of the world. No matter how simple or complicated your outfit or your "What should I wear?" thought process, the end result is a statement about your state of mind and what you value.

Let me clarify, clothes are not a reflection of the worth of a person. A person's worth is infinite and therefore unrelated to the way that they dress. However, from a person's clothing you can deduce much about their attitude towards their own body and the rest of the world.

A few examples to illustrate:

I went on study abroad once with a girl in her early 20's who wore clothes and shoes at least 15 years out of fashion, and not with the intention of being subversive or ironic. She wore no makeup and wore her hair in simple, sensible styles. She stood out in a way that was so obvious, that it became a topic of conversation and other members of our group asked her about her choice. She stated simply that she dressed to clothe herself and be comfortable. Period. What was flattering on her body was irrelevant to her. Fashion, trends, and brands were to her a waste of energy. She communicated very forcefully that her priorities were not worldly and that she felt no need to solicit the approval of others.

Although this is the most extreme example, I have known several people like this. Speaking in generalities, they derive their sense of self from performing their duty and living a life dedicated to a cause. That is a lot of information to derive from a simple choice of clothing, but it has proven consistent in my observation.

Directly after college I started work at a law firm where I met one of the most effortlessly stylish women I have ever known. Whether the setting was casual, professional, social or religious her outfits were pitch perfect. It was all in the details. She made simple jeans and a black sweater look like a million dollars because she chose her accessories with thought and intention. Her body was average, but her clothing was always flattering and never revealing. With clothes rather than cleavage, she communicated to the world that she was capable, confident, aware and ambitious.

I  have known several people, men and women, who are able to hit this note. Through their clothing they communicate that they not only know how to dress for any situation, they also know how to act, manage and get ahead in any setting. They boldly express a level of confidence and ambition that are the gold standard of our generation. Again, in generalities, they value success, they appreciate flash, and they invest their panache in moving up the ladder of status.

Most of the world lives somewhere between these polarities. No matter where we fall along that spectrum, it is worthwhile to periodically consider what our choices are communicating to the world, and then choose your words carefully.

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