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Kate Beckinsale does elegant, Usher (middle) shows off his uber male style while Sean Diddy Combs chose a classic look at the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 12 this year

Chipo Mapondera Fashion
I caught a few moments of Big Brother Mzansi recently and was struck by how clothing automatically screams out one’s character, personality, ambitions and emotions.
After a few minutes, I had come up with conclusions on the house mates, labelling Katlego as most self-aware and high maintenance, and Sol, as the fun, creative extrovert, just from their clothes choice.

There is certainly more to both individuals, and my opinions may not bear an ounce of truth. But I am not the only one who judges people by what they wear.

Clothing has long conveyed varied social codes: in West Africa, one’s status is woven into the fabric of their attire, such as the Ghanaian Kente cloths, which carry varied symbolic significance.

These were originally worn by the Ashanti royalty, and are still sported by wealthy Ghanaians today.
Cultural groups wear white to mourn in Ethiopia and India, whereas in South Africa red is the dress code for sorrow. Across the globe in China, red garb signifies celebration, good luck and long life, and is a bridal colour.

These social ideals of how we dress and what it represents filter down to a personal level, where clothing may express aspects of a person’s character, defining how they are perceived.

In a conservative society this can be extremely limiting, and result in social exclusion, especially when there is lack of understanding or exposure to broader forms of expression.

A simple example of this is women wearing trousers.
Fashion is also notorious for challenging society by weaving taboos into popular culture, such as the trend for men in skirts, spotted on uber-masculine and, I must note, heterosexual males like Kanye West and David Beckham. Taking this trend to the streets would surely result in violent reactions in many countries, but would be largely ignored in others.

But even if you are not attempting to make a statement with your clothes, making a good impression, or understanding how to craft your image, is a powerful tool.

Being able to manipulate this helps us to place ourselves where we think we want to be both economically, socially, and professionally, since clothing initiates us into various groups, made up of like-minded individuals.

One can study those around them to refine their image, based on where they see themselves fitting in, or where they want to be. If it is authentic, and fits a lifestyle and viewpoint this will be all the more powerful.

The power of clothing is in its ability to transform not only our identity but also our outlook. The term Power Suit is fitting because it looks slick and in-control, and makes an individual feel that way, thus sending a message to those around him.

This also works when your friends drag you out, forcing you to put something nice on to make yourself feel better after a bad day. It changes your mood and attitude in the same way that putting on a costume facilitates an actor’s expression of a character.

You might also want to look at your wardrobe to gain some valuable insight into yourself. Is it full of neutral or monotones, with no splashes of colour or accessories? Maybe you are in a rut or afraid to draw attention to yourself. Add a little excitement to your look and life with some prints and primary colours.

A common trap for women is the “Mom Uniform” of ill-fitting separates and ugly-but-comfortable shoes that completely rule out style and make you invisible. Focus more on yourself and gain new-found confidence in the knowledge that building your family is one of many things that you can achieve. For men, if your wardrobe is only made up of work clothes, perhaps expand your social interests, and use free time to relax with friends rather than seeing it as a networking opportunity,

Above all, comfort is key with personal image. The worst clothing tries to fix, ignore or hide who you are, and you can never look good without accepting yourself, flaws and all.

This includes dressing for, not against your body, being age-appropriate, and looking suitable for the time and place.
This merely requires you to take some time when getting yourself ready, considering how you want to come across. You will notice the change in the positive reactions that will come pouring your way.

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