Part 2: Dress to stand out

Were you shocked when you discovered what styles and colours made you feel more confident?

If you haven't had a chance to watch part 1 of this 3 part mini series about unlocking confidence make sure you go back and watch it. It will help you to understand
how to use clothing to change your mindset and build confidence. 

We are about to launch into part 2 where you will discover how what you wear and the confidence that it brings impacts what you are projecting to those around you. 

When you feel confident you look confident. Take these two women as an example.

The difference in body language between these two examples shows how obvious it can be to those around us when we are feeling nervous or unsure compared with
confident and ready to take on a challenge.

The woman on the left has hunched shoulders, she is leaning forward, her eyes are darting around the room and she is constantly fidgeting.

The woman on the right is standing tall, smiling and looking in the one direction for a long time.

Who would you prefer to hire in a job interview based on these two videos?

The aim during an interview, presentation or at a networking event is to stand out for all of the right reasons.

When you walk into a room you want people to sit up, pay attention and think 'this woman knows what she is talking about'.

But how do you achieve that?

By wearing a professional outfit in a bright colour or bold print, you are
signalling your confidence and professionalism to the people in the room.

When you add this to the enclothed cognition of wearing a blazer or your confident style, you project confidence and professionalism in the way you are dressed,
how you speak and how you stand or walk. 

When I put my 'don't mess with me dress' on I feel like a powerful professional who can achieve anything. I can feel my shoulders pull back, my pelvis tuck and I
get a very confident look on my face. 

I know I am going to be able to tackle any challenges the day has in store for me.

For many of us, standing out in this way can be scary at first and we worry what people will think. We will cover how others will see your confident style in part 3 so I encourage you to watch it if you are still unsure. 

For now if you are worried or nervous about adding bold and bright items into your wardrobe just remember the wise words of Vivienne Westwood.

When in doubt overdress.

When you experimented with your own confident style after part 1 of this video mini-series, you would have seen the impact the clothes you are wearing impacted how your confidence presented externally.

Now it is time to practice wearing your confident style and feel the effects long term.

Start introducing pieces that match your confident style into your regular work wardrobe and take note of how you feel throughout the day or when specific events happen like a difficult conversation or a meeting that occurs.

I would love for you to share how your confidence shone through.by sending us a message or tagging @peakwomen on socials.

Make sure you check out part 3 of unlocking confidence to learn about how you can use your confident style to beat the bias.