“Seeing is believing.”

“Show, don’t tell.”

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Someone wrote to me recently asking how they can dress to be taken more “seriously”. My initial thoughts - a power suit, sure. Maybe a bold color, a strong shoulder, check. Slick back the hair, remove the green nail polish, cue the sleek, yet predictably sensible pump. Done, right? Ahh yes, we all know the tropes, but there would be no reason for someone to have written me if it were that simple. So why is it not that simple? Because serious can mean different things in varying situations…and not every occasion is appropriate for a pinstriped suit.

I’ll start first with illustrating a more robust understanding of what it means to “be serious.”

The aforementioned person is really questioning: “how can I convey, through style, that I am an individual who takes into account myriad data points that allow me to think through situations with great consideration, and that I am your go-to when you need a thoughtful response and outcome?”

The key phrase above is “myriad data points.” In other words, diversified points of view, a range of considerations, more than just one lens. Multi-dimensional thinking. Now, conjure up (or just scroll up to) the red suited trope. If I meet you in this red suit, paired with an extra firm handshake no doubt, I’m inclined to think you have a singular point of view. That one dimensional style you have presented equates to a walking billboard for your singular train of thought…..WHETHER OR NOT IT IS TRUE. How do I know this? Because companies spend billions on ad campaigns built on the premise that to create a strong message you must create a strong visual. An illustrator’s sole job is to create graphics that elicit an immediate and visceral reaction communicating a brand’s intent. It is human nature to read the visual cues and it can be hardly a great leap to understand that the message you are sending with your style is not any different.

On the surface level, we’ve all seen this when movies lean into these established tropes to make a quick point: the character that’s fully tatted wearing all black leather gets upset when rejected as a law firm receptionist, or the woman in heels and chiffon becomes angered when not just turned away, but also mocked, at Steve’s Steel Welders Inc. Better yet, we’re even implored to “root for the one in the babydoll dress cross-examining the murderously accused and making her case.” But movies are movies, and life is life, and thus individuals rarely see past the pink suit to get to the real Elle Woods.

So, within the nuance is where we reside - quite happily. Here we are considering the message conveyed by our style choices and simultaneously improving our ability to align what we are portraying with what we want to be received. It’s not about spending more money, and it’s certainly (and often the opposite of) buying into brand labels. It’s about understanding what you want to say and the necessary combination of tools that will help you achieve that.

And it’s about doing this really well so that you can be in a position to prove someone right, rather than wrong.

If you want to convey depth of thought, the shortest visual route to getting there is through depth in your clothing. Depth can be achieved by:

• a multitude of textures that provide dimensionality
• a range of colors and shades, beyond just one or two
• variations in shape and movement.

“The Texture Givers”:

Items that are glossy, hairy, tactile and even skritchey. Highly textured, yet simple styles don’t hijack your look, but instead add nuance. Gloss, for example, is that bit of rubbery, icky shine that layers in sophistication and interest, but is highly pragmatic all at once. It’s hardly my instinct to say that a gummy, drawstring, leather trimmed bag - striking the balance between kitschy-ness and luxury - will become the item you reach for most. But then it happens, because it adds depth and interest every time. I know this because I carry it, a lot, and because I receive daily DMs from many who feel the same. Hardcore data here guys.

“The Color Rangers”:

The deft layering of ring 1 and 2 tonal shades, expertly combined with ring 3 ‘ish’ colors and saturated ring 4s, all work to create an intentional message. Depth. There are no one dimensional descriptions here - all three adjectives at once - chill, most certainly modern, and still a bit classic.

“The Shapers”:

They give interest and range, with a mixture of proportions and movement, that keep the eye moving. Look for items with shape that pushes the structure beyond the norm. Elements that initially make you uncomfortable (mentally, not physically) and details that may first exhibit as mistakes, but ultimately reveal themselves to be highly pragmatic solutions.

And know this for certain:

Visual interest can imply interesting.

Bold shapes can imply a willingness to take risks.

Experimentation can imply openness to new ideas.

Owning your visual message empowers and feels incredible, for once you conquer this, you can quickly move on to the business of just being. Because yes, while a picture is worth a thousand words, an impression is priceless. And often lasts a lifetime.