Happy New Years Guys. 2008 is going to be a great year. Wow…2008 already. Remember when we were fussing about the millennium?

I know many of you are making new years resolutions that deal with changing and transforming your overall image. In light of this, I’ve decided to write a little entry about why this is one resolution worth fulfilling.

Vanity of Vanities?

So image. Is it just something superficial? Or is it something that has a much deeper and powerful effects on one’s life?

It’s unfortunate how many people dismiss image & fashion as vanity, frowning upon it as something that is secondary. Image, just like everything else, can become a negative force when it becomes an all-consuming obsession; However, to neglect it completely is as foolish starving due to concerns of the potential extreme of obesity.

Forget the Red Bull

The reason why I go out of my way to dress my best every day is because I know just how much of an affect it will have on my psychology. If you have a favorite suit you like to wear, freshly dry-cleaned, you may know exactly what kind of state boost I’m talking about. You put on that suit, or your best outfit, and it just gives you that emotional pump–like a red bull. That state diffuses into every area, from your interactions to the way you perform your daily tasks.

A simple, but powerful experiment

If you’re doubting the effect that your image has on your psychology (and your life), try this little experiment. For one day, have a bad hair day — don’t shave, don’t fix your hair, and throw on some “bummy” casual clothes. Go about your day and see how this affects your mood (and prods at your insecurities), the quality of your work, your social interactions, and just your overall day.

On the next day, wake up a little earlier and dedicate a little more time to putting together your favorite, most empowering outfit - that kickass charcoal Zegna suit, a pair of your best designer jeans, or that leather pea coat you just picked up. Make sure your grooming is up to par, and look in the mirror as you really tie up your image, down to the folds. Notice how sharp you look. Notice how you feel. Bask in that state, but more importantly, go out there and see how it affects your day - the work you do, the interactions you have with others, and just your overall emotional state.

The beauty of this experiment is that it allows you to feel the sheer discrepancy of emotion that altering your image can create.

If you’ve seen extreme makeover, you see just how much of an impact these image makeovers have on these people’s lives. You may not be getting a cosmetic surgery, but make everyday a mini makeover. You’ll begin to respect getting your image in order a lot more, just like you respect that Starbucks coffee every morning.

To amp it up a little bit, approach some women while you’re at it. Notice how it affects your confidence and interaction.

Evidence: Strange days of being attracted to close girl friends

Now am I just being insecure? Or is there a reality to all this? Let’s examine this from the other side.

Did you ever have those days, when a girl friend of yours, one you see all the time, looks especially good? She’s well-dressed, well-groomed, her hair is up in such a way that is very stylish & attractive. Strangely, you find yourself giving her more attention, seeking her rapport more than usual, and maybe even flirting with her. It’s crazy, but I’m sure a lot of us have been there. Some may argue that your confidence or emotional state shouldn’t echo your outer appearance, but if you’ve experienced the aforementioned scenario, you know that your insecurities are not ill-rooted. There is truth to it. Take it as feedback.

In Practice

Sometimes we need to hear stuff that we already know to apply and feel the magnitude of that knowledge. So tomorrow morning, try the exercise, FEEL your image.

It’s more than vanity…It’s putting your best foot forward, altering your state, improving your social interactions, and infusing a new energy to life every day.

Damn it feels good to look good.

Theory

PS: Check out our forums for style critiques and great discussion on image

Enjoyed this article? For more articles like this, subscribe to Kinowear’s
RSS feed