Dress the Part: How Your Style Speaks Before You Do

They say you should dress how you want to be addressed, but what does that truly mean? Let’s break it down.

Imagine this: I’m a 30-something, dark-skinned Black woman, stepping out in a tailored suit, heels, and a structured trench coat to finish the look. How would you address me? Now picture me in an A-line floral dress, paired with sneakers and a bold bomber jacket. Does your perception change, I have have dressed the part for both scenarios?

But here’s the deeper question: would a 30-something white woman in the exact same outfits be addressed in the same way?

The Power of Perception - Dress the part!

Clothing undoubtedly influences how others perceive us, but does it speak louder than other aspects, like our faces, hairstyles, or even attitudes? There’s no denying that intentional outfit choices, whatever they may be, can alter how we carry ourselves. Confidence often shines through, even when misinterpreted as overconfidence. But regardless of how it’s labelled, it’s noticed.

For me, being addressed with respect is non-negotiable, no matter what I’m wearing. But when I think about how I want to show up in the world, it goes deeper than respect. I want to be addressed as the person I’m striving to become. That means I need to show up as her, every single day, in every possible way, including how I dress.

So, how would she act? How would she speak? Is she different from who I am today? Of course, she is—because she’s a work in progress. The question is, how do I express her through my clothing? Does it even matter? I think it does.

Whether we like it or not, we all make assumptions about others based on how they’re dressed. If I’m making those judgements, it’s only fair to assume that others are doing the same about me.

The way we present ourselves speaks volumes to strangers, whether they’re gatekeepers to opportunities or simply part of a society quick to form opinions.

Fashion Choices: Perception vs Reality

Wearing designer logos from head to toe doesn’t automatically make someone look wealthy or successful. In fact, it can sometimes have the opposite effect. Logo-heavy outfits might scream “status” to some, but to others, they might read as loud or ostentatious.

On the other hand, there’s something quietly commanding about an understated, clean, and polished look. It conveys power in a subtle way; though, admittedly, even that is a constructed perception. The truth is, what we see isn’t always what we get.

But here’s the catch: society’s eyes are trained to associate certain styles with specific roles, statuses, or levels of respect. If we understand this, we have the power to dress in a way that influences how strangers perceive and address us.

Every day, as you get dressed, you’re presenting yourself to the world. The strangers you pass might hold the key to an opportunity you’ve been waiting for, or they might just be quick to judge. Either way, what you wear sends a message.

So, who are you presenting to the world today? Is it the person you are, or the person you’re becoming?

Because like it or not, how you dress isn’t just about fashion. It’s ultimately about how you are first perceived and ultimately, how you want to be remembered.

Written by: Marina Townsend