Do You Use the Hidden Power of Your Wardrobe?

An experienced college teacher I know is convinced that her students are careless about their conduct because they wear sloppy clothes to class. Her impression isn’t based on scientific fact--it’s just a hunch--but she just may be right. There’s evidence that clothing not only influences how others see us, but also has an affect on our self-attitudes.

Studies done by psychologist Michael Solomon at Rutgers University in New Jersey found that when students were interviewed for a job, those informally dressed (in slacks, sport shirts, loafers, etc.) did not have as high an opinion of themselves as those more formally clad. The latter (who wore suits) came out ahead of their colleagues on a number of traits: they were more assertive, felt they had made a favorable impression in the interview, confidently positioned their chairs closer to the interviewer, and asked for higher starting salaries. Apparently, the notion of dressing for success is not a myth.

How much do you rely on what you wear to prompt success in the things you do? To find out how clothes-conscious you are, take the following quiz.