erica geller

While on the subject of a personal brand, I got to wondering about how I would be able to portray myself outside of a social media platform. Just from a first look, an initial handshake, or a passing on the street - how can you make yourself stand out? With the internet and all the platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc., you’re able to showcase anything from your creativity to your humor, your interests to your skills. However, with a quick handshake in a boardroom, none of that is relayed. Everything that is relayed, unfortunately, comes from how you look, dress, and carry yourself.

I realized recently that my wardrobe was very “university student”. Filled with sweatshirts, jeans, and tank tops, I quickly decided that I needed a change. I needed to start changing out my slip-on shoes for pumps, my sweatshirts for blazers, and my tank tops for blouses. Recruiting the help of my mother and my friends, I found many stores that may carry my size, and I went on the hunt.

Through this search, I realized something. Clothing can not only make you look better, or look the part, but it can make you FEEL better, and FEEL the part. With a suit on, some high heels, some nice earrings, I really began to feel like I could go out and conquer the world, instead of just learning about the logistics of it in the classroom every day. The clothing, for some reason suddenly made everything real.

Clothing reflects not only your professionalism, however, but it reflects all those things that you find on social media. It can be an outlet of your personality, your interests, your values. The humor, interests, skills and creativity can all be broadcasted through your clothing choices. This is another reason why clothing is so important.

You can really understand how important of a role clothing makes in choices when you ask about the dress code for a job. (Depending on your personal preference), a workplace that says you can come in jeans and sneakers every day may seem like the best news you’d ever heard. Your personal brand will reflect the work place and the clothing in this respect, but if this is your chosen workplace, it becomes a part of your personal brand.

Social media also reflects how important clothing can be. There are thousands of websites, Twitter accounts, YouTube “gurus”, etc. that specialize in workplace attire, and how to show off who you are and what you strive for through the clothing you choose to put on in the morning.

Now, how does this relate to personal brand, social media, and the professional field? Simple. Your personal brand can be seen in the blink of an eye by your choice of clothing, your attributes that you constantly allude to all over the internet can become exposed. Pretty impressive for a simple blazer or pair of jeans, isn’t it?