PLAIN TRUTH: Your style can bag you a major deal

I came across a long rant by an acquaintance earlier this week. She was lecturing women who spend time and money on their appearance. “You could have used that cash to start a side hustle. Will those clothes or that hair pay your rent?” she asked.

She has a point. She may also have missed another point. A big one.

This rant reminded me of this friend who will not tend to his facial hair. Most of the time, he lets it grow big and unruly. It makes him look unkempt. It makes him feel manlier, he says. I’m sure he is not the only man around who thinks that he needs to look rugged and unkempt to appear manly.

I have seen a similar attitude extended to women. The assumption that a well-tended demeanor is not a preserve for women of means, or for a woman who has already ‘arrived.’ If a woman pays attention to her looks and says she is broke, then she must be lying or she has her priorities wrong and she is labeled an air head.

While it would be nice if society’s explicit focus was on dreams and goals and attitude, the reality is that it isn’t. The truth is that the world is becoming increasingly visual. In the career and business world, for instance, often times, the people who get rewarded aren’t necessarily the best-performing ones, they are the most visible ones. The ones who shout the loudest. The ones who are seen. The ones who seem comfortable in the spaces they are occupying. So how you look when the spotlight is finally shone on you, matters.

I’m not talking about owning many expensive clothes or hair. I’m talking about how you put it all together, being clean, how the clothes you put on match your body type and your personality.

Don’t take first impressions lightly. To most people you will meet, how you look is a reflection of your character. This means that looking sharp and collected will open doors for you. Even in a fast paced city like Nairobi, your appearance is not lost on anyone. In contrast to a woman who chooses to show up for a business meeting in her washed out jeans and a t-shirt, a woman who makes an effort on her appearance will be seen as a serious player. People will be inclined to sit down and talk to you. Sloppy or careless is definitely not the impression you want to give someone you want to do business with. Yes, start that side hustle but if you neglect your appearance, it just might never get off the ground.

As dress you are addressed, they say. I agree. We can’t ignore the psychological effects of our style and appearance on those around us. And the fact that how you look reflects on the inside. A well-tended-to appearance increases confidence which is an invaluable asset. First, it is a very attractive. If you’re well groomed, people to interact with or date will never be in short supply. Second, a confident demeanor will inspire confidence in those around you.

And no, being mindful of your appearance doesn’t make you vain or self-absorbed. In fact, a lot of the times, another person will brand you as vain only because they are insecure about their own appearance or they have self-esteem issues.

So go on, invest in your appearance.

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