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A quiet revolution has been taking place in North America and Europe over the last two decades. It is not a political revolution, and one not likely to result in arms. Rather, it is a revolution in dress. People have gradually gotten accustomed to not dressing well.
Though you may disagree, not everyone sees this revolution as a good thing. Numerous studies over the years have shown that the way we dress affects everything from our attitudes to how we conduct ourselves around other people. We all know this to be inherently true.
You do not wear a business suit to join your friends for a game of beach volleyball. Likewise, you don’t wear your swimsuit and flip-flops to a board meeting. Of course, these two examples are extremes, yet they make the point. By not paying attention to how we dress in certain situations, we are negatively impacting our own performance. And by the way, dressing well includes your shoes.
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Clean Shoes Say Something
GC Tech is a company that sells men’s waterproof shoe covers. One of the reasons they do so is the simple fact that clean shoes say something. Imagine being a high-powered executive meeting for lunch with a counterpart from another company. You are hoping to discuss a merger. What would that other executive think if he saw you walk in with dress shoes covered in rain spots?
He is likely to assume you are not a details person. Is that good? It may not matter in relation to what you order for lunch, but it could kill any hopes of a merger. If he feels you lack attention to detail, he may not trust your company to successfully acquire his.
This is just one example. The big picture is much broader. Overall, Western society seems less concerned about dressing well and more concerned about doing whatever seems fine at the moment.
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Benefits of Dressing Well
Now that we have identified the problem, let us talk about the solution. The benefits of dressing well are numerous:
- Self-Confidence – A person who dresses well also tends to exhibit more self-confidence. Properly fitting clothes in the right styles make you feel good about yourself. And when you feel good about yourself, you exude more confidence in what you can do.
- Confidence in Others – Hand-in-hand with self-confidence is inspiring confidence in others. Walk into a meeting in appropriate business attire with clean, polished shoes and others do believe you know what you are doing.
- More Productivity – Scientific studies have shown that people who dress well tend to be more productive in certain types of scenarios. For example, well-dressed people are better business negotiators than casual dressers.
- Greater Focus – When people dress well, according to the dictates of their profession, they tend to focus better on their work. This suggests that people associate their clothing with the work they do. Dress well for your job and you will be better at it.
Again, all of this applies to shoes as much as any other piece of clothing. Unfortunately, shoes are where so many people fall down. They go to great lengths to dress well in every other area. But when it comes to footwear, they assume it doesn’t matter.
The existence of men’s waterproof shoe covers is evidence that shoes are just as important as anything else. So dress well. And when you choose your outfit, make sure your shoes are appropriate. Make sure your shoes are clean and, if applicable, polished. They are the crown – even though they are on your feet.
