Why you should dress up instead of being a slob!

My buddy and I were discussing today how much different we are treated when we dress up instead of just being normal. In college, it seems like no one really dresses up or cares what they look like, and everyone looks like they are walking around asleep. But when dressing up, we have discovered that we are treated differently.

My buddy mainly focused his results on women, and while I have definitely had better results with dressed up, I have observed more how I am treated by everyone. If I am talking to a professor, in general they will listen more intently and be more focused on what I am saying if I look nice, where if I am dressed more casual the professor is just like whatever and acts like they don't care about what I'm saying. My buddy got several numbers from girls today and said that he had girls hitting on him all day. Many of the changes I noticed were little things, but in my opinion they matter and I'll explain why.

I have noticed a difference in how many greetings I get from people. For instance, if I'm walking down a hall or getting on a bus, normally people would just dart their eyes away so there wouldn't be an awkward situation but when I'm dressed up people seem to make eye connection and say hi and introduce themselves. It is as if me dressing up is the difference between people noticing me or not. I consider this a big deal, because I don't want to be invisible. I think that everyone likes to be noticed, and chances are you will meet many more people if people notice that you are present instead of you being just another person.

Let me clarify what I consider dressed up. Most people in college walk around in t-shirts and shorts or sweat pants. To class they will wear jeans and maybe dress up a little bit more. In my opinion, dressing up is just going a level higher than everyone else is. My buddy wore pinstripe pants and a dress shirt, but I just started fixing my hair and wearing stylish jeans and shirts instead of a hat and the first clothes that I saw that morning.

So try dressing up the next time you go somewhere and pay attention to the way people act around you. Do the same thing we did, you and a friend dress up and then discuss your results later. I think you will be surprised at how much a little change like clothing or fixing your hair instead of a hat can make.


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7 comments:

  1. Jeremiah said,

    Nice experiment.

    I once went to a job fair with a friend. We both went to talk to "Lulu". We were the same class, had the same level of relevant experience, and had roughly the same classes. There were 2 big differences. My GPA was an entire point higher than his (3.8 compared to 2.8 or something) and he was wearing a suit and I was wearing only a nice shirt.

    He was offered an interview and I was not. I think they eventually figured out neither of us had the level of experience they were looking for, but it just goes to show you that your appearance counts.

    on August 28, 2007 at 5:37 PM


  2. Anonymous said,

    I used to wear slippers, shirt, etc. going to university...

    Hmph, I'll be trying that the next semester!

    on November 17, 2007 at 6:27 AM


  3. Jeremy said,

    You should definitely try dressing up. On one day dress like normal and pay attention to the attitude people use when they address you, and the way strangers interact with you. Then do the same thing dressed up. I guarantee you see a difference

    on November 17, 2007 at 11:49 PM


  4. Anonymous said,

    Real cool experiment. I notice similar results when I dress up. I was just thinking to myself that hot girls will choose to sit down next me much more often when I am wearing a collar'd shirt and not just a sweatshirt. Like 2 days ago, in all my classes I had hot blondes picking to sit next to me... It was sick...

    I wish we could get quanititative results on the topic, it'd be sooo interesting.

    on January 26, 2008 at 3:49 PM


  5. Jeremy said,

    I have been dressing up more this semester, and have definitely noticed a positive result. Teachers seem to respect my answers more in class instead of writing me off, and girls definitely sit around me more than if I'm just wearing a hoodie.

    on January 27, 2008 at 10:56 PM


  6. Anonymous said,

    You make a really good point. I go to NYU, which is different, but the way you dress definitely affects the way people perceive you.

    Quick question: What is the general "style" climate at Liberty University? Is dressing up for class something that people make fun of?

    I discuss this on my latest blog entry (and I linked to this entry): street-spotted.com Check it out!

    on September 4, 2008 at 4:32 PM


  7. Anonymous said,

    Whenever I dress up to any occasion I have myself a better demeanor and experience a better demeanor to whomever I come across, as compared to when I wear other clothes (I don't dress like a slob though, but still). A person thinks it's a perception of professionalism, confidence, and even hygiene and that all gives off an image of maturity.

    Geesh, I remember hearing this girl yell "I need a cup of water" after I walked across her, while I was leaving Staples LOL (and yeah, it was the impressed kind of context). I didn't pay attention too much to that, though, because I saw a hot milf across the parking lot (I have a slight case of ADD lol).

    But yeah, people tend to be more friendly and respectful around you. Becuase when you're a slob, you don't look too inviting or mature. When you're professional, people think, "looks outgoing, yet, he must be polite and such a delight!"

    anyways, those are my two cufflings.

    on May 4, 2009 at 6:26 PM