When You Don't Dress Like Everyone Else

You don't think like everyone else.

It got me thinking....

Of all the things we wear, nothing is as revealing as our mindset. I’ve always believed that fashion is more than just fabric, it’s an unspoken language, a way of telling the world who we are before we even say a word. I can’t help but notice the undeniable connection between how we dress and how we think.

It turns out, there’s science behind this. Research on enclothed cognition suggests that what we wear doesn’t just change how others see us, but how we see ourselves. Clothes influence our confidence, cognitive processes, and even our behavior. When we put on a structured blazer, we tend to feel more in control. Slip into a cozy sweater, and we soften, both physically and emotionally. Wear bold colors, and suddenly, we take up more space. It’s like wearing a superhero cape, except the power isn’t in the fabric, it’s in what it unlocks in our minds.

I once had a client, a brilliant but introverted woman, who always dressed in muted tones; blacks, grays, and navy. She was tired of being overlooked in meetings and wanted to project more confidence. So, as an experiment, I suggested she start wearing red. Just a pop; a blouse, a pair of heels, even lipstick. Slowly but surely, she began feeling different. She spoke up more, took risks, and felt a shift internally. It’s like she was stepping into an alternate version of herself, one who had always been there but needed a visual cue to emerge.

Then there was another client, a corporate executive who had spent decades in stiff suits but longed to break free from the monotony of conventional thinking. He started introducing eccentric elements into his wardrobe; funky socks, statement glasses, an unexpected pocket square. He swore that these small acts of rebellion sparked creativity in his work. And it makes sense; studies show that people who embrace individuality in their appearance tend to think more divergently, challenge norms, and bring fresh perspectives. It’s like giving your brain permission to color outside the lines.

When you don’t dress like everyone else, you don’t think like everyone else. And maybe, that’s exactly what the world needs more of.