What Costume Do You Wear?
It all comes down to what story you want to tell
Most self-help teaches that change begins within. But that does not mean that the inner world is the only, or even the primary, field on which we function. A subtle interplay exists between inner and outer. If you want to boost your self-confidence and attract positive attention, working on your outer appearance will make a significant difference.
That is why I want to explore the psychology of clothing.
Part of discovering your primal self involves cultivating the right outer appearance — one that you are comfortable with and that speaks to who you really are, or wish to be. Shortly before this writing, I “took a meeting” (as Hollywood people say) at a media hotspot in New York City. I was worried that I’d be underdressed. But when I arrived, I discovered that all the men there were dressed more or less like fifteen-year-olds. I fit right in. In fact, I seemed mature by comparison. I wear T-shirts, jeans, and leather boots and jackets. I’m covered in tattoos. It’s just what makes me comfortable.
Past generations were taught to “dress for success” — which generally meant suits and shined shoes for men, and professional dresses or pantsuits for women. But today’s secret to dressing for success means adopting a daily “uniform” which makes you…
