What Can't you Do...

[Paisley]

...when you look a little frumpy?

I can't dance when I'm not dressed for it. Even at home, try as I might, I can't practice until I put on something attractive.

What about you?

 

[Lady Day]

I Dont let my clothes limit what I can do, but they can limit how I feel. I find my confidence grows, if Im 'dressed' for it.


LD

 

[LizzieMaine]

Exactly -- if you *look* confident and professional, that's how you'll come across to others.

I did a presentation at a broadcasting-history conference last year, and made a point of dressing professionally for the occasion. As I was getting up on the platform in a suit and heels, one of the organizers said "Why'd you get dressed up? We're very informal here -- you could've just worn jeans or something." Well, I could have, but I don't feel much like an authority figure in that kind of an outfit -- and therefore I wouldn't have felt as confident in my presentation. I really believe if you want people to take you seriously -- and I think this is especially so for women -- you need to look like you know what you're talking about before you even begin to speak.

 

[Etienne]

Touche!

 

[harmonslide]

(I can't dance, dressed well or not)

I also, curiously, solo on trombone way better when snazzed up.

 

[Sefton]

When I'm not well dressed I cant;
Get no respect!
rack up a nice daily quota of compliments (hey, it's nice to be noticed too! )
carry any authority on my job. People just don't take me as being the manager if I dress like a slob. Most of the customers dress like slobs,but the "customer is always right..."
walk down the streets of San Francisco and let my mind wander back and have a feeling of being " in the golden era".
And what has already been said by Lady Day and LizzieMaine is true for me also; my confidence is much greater when I dress well.

 

[Naama]

I'm also less confident if I'm not dressed right, or sometimes even if my hair looks horrible I don't really know why this is, maybe I'm too superficiall, but that's the way it is [huh]

Naama

 

[mysterygal]

Naama, I'm the same way..it's not superficial at all! I just don't feel like socializing like normal because I'm too self-conscious about how horrible I look! It's those days where you just want to be a wall flower and have absolutely no one notice you!

 

[Sefton]

Well, more than a few parents have said "You only get one chance to make a first impression". Not my parents mind you...mine usually said something along the lines of "You're not going out looking like that!"

 

[LizzieMaine]

That's what my mother always used to say on the first day of school -- "You only got one chance to make a first impression! Now hold still and lemme brush your hair!!"

 

[magneto]

Not to sound too neurotic but...

...leave the house!
Even if I run to the corner store in dungarees I have to put on lipstick and at least a scarf for my hair or something. (Would that others suffered from my affliction...

 

[RetroModelSari]

I hate hate hate to go shopping´when I´m not looking good and styled cause I will hate every outfit I try cause the feeling is jsut not right

 

[FedoraGent]

I can't...

I can't feel comfortable going out in public unless I feel a little bit ship shape and bristle fashion. My confidence is there, but I just hate feeling unkempt. I always have a hat on my head, and sometimes I feel alittle bit uncomfortable w/o my tie depending on the situation. For instance, I recently went into this restaurant to have a small bite and a ginger ale. I frequent this place alot and I was in there during the 'hot spell' we all experience. I was in my hat, shirt, tie with chain, suspenders, and had my hair fixed. I had my buotouniere (sp.) on the lapel of my suit coat as well. The bartender looked at me and she said "Jon, why so dressed up? It's stinking hot?" I looked at her and said, "I dunno Christine, I prefer dressing well. Isn't this what you expect?" She looked at me and she said "Good point, everyone in NB knows you dress well." And with that, it made me feel good.

Even if I'm going to goto the corner store, I always make sure that I'm somewhat well pressed and always have a hat on.

Jon