Learn How to Dress Well for Any Occasion

First impressions matter. How you present yourself is incredibly important in building connections, especially professional ones. In order to give a good first impression, you have to learn how to dress well for any occasion.

When shopping for clothes, make sure to buy pieces that fit you properly. (Photo: iStock)

Dressing well is a skill you need to succeed in life. It is not a skill you can gain overnight, but you can start by keeping in mind these helpful tips:

Dress in proper-fitting clothes

Wearing well-fitting clothes is more than just knowing whether your dress size is small, medium or large. Clothing brands have different sizing charts, so you should learn about your exact sizes. This will help you find properly fitting clothes when you shop.

Before you buy, try on the clothes first. For tops, the shoulder seam should rest on the edge of the bone and not lower. Long sleeves should also fall just slightly below the wrist bone. There shouldn’t be excess fabric in back unless that is the style. You will know it doesn’t fit well if you see ridges and ripples in the back.

For pants, the hemline should not touch the ground with shoes on. They should be long enough to cover half of the heel and touch the instep. One thumb should fit comfortably in the waistband when you sit with the pants on. Check this comprehensive guide to find proper-fitting clothes.

Don’t neglect grooming

Dressing well isn’t just about quality, stylish and well-fitting clothes. It has a lot to do with how you present your appearance. No matter how simply you dress, you will still shine if you have a neat appearance. To maintain good grooming, you must take care of your personal hygiene and keep your hair neat, your skin healthy and your body fit.

Establish a regular grooming routine at the start of your day. Your routine should include the basics, like washing your face or taking a shower, brushing your teeth, putting on moisturizers and sunscreen, combing and styling your hair, and applying makeup if you are going out.

Always remember that fine clothes can’t completely make up for a sloppy appearance.

Follow the dress code

Dress according to the occasion. If you are attending a business meeting, wear professional clothes like a collared shirt, blazer and dress pants. Set aside your glittery tops, statement tees and ripped jeans for more casual events like parties or a night out with friends.

Learn to distinguish if the event calls for formal, semiformal or casual wear. If you are not sure, always ask the host or one of the organizers to ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the event.

Accessories put the finishing touches on your outfit. (Photo: The 5th/Pexels)

Wear suitable accessories

Accessories are the finishing touches to your attire, but they can be the difference between stylish and drab. Even if you are scared or unsure, don’t forgo accessories all together. Instead, wear simple pieces like a watch, a pair of diamond studs and a vintage tote bag to match your style. These little touches can dramatically improve an outfit.

But you can’t always coast through with just the basics. Sooner or later, you will find yourself in situations when wearing your regular accessories won’t be enough. It is better to learn how to accessorize your clothes to be stylish.

Find your personal style

This is your ultimate goal to dressing well. Once you have found the styles that fit you best, you will have an easy time dressing well. Just remember that a good sense of fashion doesn’t develop overnight. It takes lots of practice and trial and error to find what looks good on you.

You may find yourself with a number clothes you can no longer wear when you have finally figured out which style you prefer. When that happens, you can sell your clothes online and earn some extra cash. The online market is a huge place where many people buy different things, especially pre-owned items.

Last thoughts

It is true when they say that clothes make the person. If you are always sloppily dressed, you will soon convince yourself that you are that kind of person. Not only will it affect people’s opinion of you, but it will influence how you perceive yourself. It is a phenomenon called enclosed cognition, a term coined by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky, which describes “the systematic influence that clothes on the wearer’s psychological processes.” In short, you are not just dressing well to impress others; you are doing it to take care of yourself.

Article by Melissa Page