Fashion's Hidden Power

Tessa West is decoding Success: How Sartorial Cues Shape Leadership and First Impressions!

By Jennifer Heinen | Fashion Psychologist

How do your clothes shape the way people perceive you? And more importantly, how do they shape the way you perceive yourself? In the latest episode of Style My Mind, we explore these questions with Tessa West, a psychology professor from New York University, whose research dives deep into interpersonal dynamics and workplace behavior. With insights from her latest book Job Therapy, Tessa sheds light on the powerful role that sartorial cues - like clothing and appearance - play in shaping leadership and workplace interactions.

Tune in here:

Meet our Guest

Tessa West is a Professor of Psychology at New York University, specialising in the science of interpersonal communication and social relationships, particularly within workplace settings.

Her previous book, Jerks at Work, explored the dynamics of toxic workplace behaviour, making her an authoritative voice on how interpersonal interactions influence work environments.

In her latest book, Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You, just launched, where Tessa delves into why people often feel dissatisfied in their jobs. Rather than just blaming external factors like bad managers or tedious tasks, she argues that job dissatisfaction frequently stems from unmet psychological needs.

Sartorial Cues and First Impressions

In our fast-paced world, first impressions happen in the blink of an eye. According to Tessa, "We decide what we think someone's gender is very quickly before we even consciously process it." This highlights the significant role of sartorial cues, such as clothing, hairstyle, and accessories, in forming initial impressions. This phenomenon ties into the concept of "thin slices" in psychology by Ambadi and Rosenthal, which suggests that people make rapid judgments based on minimal information.

Research has shown that these first impressions can have long-lasting effects on how interactions unfold. In fact, according to a study by Nalini Ambadi, people can predict a person’s success or competence after just a few seconds of observing them. Once these impressions are formed, it’s challenging to override them.

Authenticity and Professional Identity

When it comes to sartorial cues, authenticity is key. "Look like yourself," Tessa advises. "Don’t try to look like a person you’re not." Trying to conform to stereotypes or societal expectations can lead to discomfort, not only for yourself but also for those around you.

Studies from Kaiser on self-presentation suggest that when people wear clothing that aligns with their true self-concept, they experience a greater sense of authenticity and confidence.

Tessa adds a personal anecdote: early in her career, she wore glasses just to fit the stereotype of an academic, despite being more comfortable in contacts. The lesson? Dress in a way that feels natural to you, even in professional settings.

Leadership and Sartorial Choices

The way leaders dress can impact not only how they are perceived by others but also how they perceive themselves. Tessa shared an intriguing study, where men assigned to wear suits outperformed others in negotiation settings. "The effect was really on the person wearing the suit," Tessa explained. "They felt much more authoritative."

Interestingly, this idea ties into the enclothed cognition theory, which suggests that what we wear can influence our cognitive processes. Wearing a suit, for instance, can trigger feelings of power and competence. However, leaders must balance power with approachability, particularly women who might face different perceptions when wearing more formal attire.

Fashion and Job Satisfaction

Tessa and I discussed how sartorial choices can serve as a barometer for job satisfaction. Reflecting on her own experiences, she noted how dressing well in the early stages of a job can signal excitement, while a decline in sartorial effort may reflect growing dissatisfaction. "When I started to dress less exciting, I realised I was no longer identifying with the job," Tessa remarked.

This is supported by research in occupational psychology, where job dissatisfaction has been linked to a decrease in engagement in self-care behaviours, such as dressing well. Your clothes, therefore, can be a subtle indicator of how connected - or disconnected - you feel from your work.

Closing Thoughts: The Power of Dressing for Yourself

As we wrapped up the episode, Tessa left us with an important reminder: "Wear what you like." By embracing your sartorial choices, you not only take control of how others perceive you but also how you perceive yourself. Whether you're navigating a leadership role, transitioning in your career, or simply dressing for everyday life, the power of authenticity in your wardrobe cannot be understated.

Style My Mind Challenge

"Reach out to someone, have a career conversation with someone, find someone on LinkedIn whose photo you're like, what are they trying to convey with that?"

This week, we challenge you to talk with strangers. Reflect and get out of your comfort zone.

"We tend to find people who dress like us, do makeup like us, do all the things like us, and we rarely go outside of that box. So find someone who you think looks crazy and you can understand or relate to their sartorial choices at all and have a real conversation with them and ask them about their job and how they got there and what they love about it and what they hate about it."

Thank you for reading!

Want to know more about Tessa?

Connect with Tessa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessa-west-129b51131/

Her life as an author: https://www.tessawestauthor.com/

Her work at NYU: https://tessawestlab.com/

Follow and Subscribe:

If you want to watch the Episode: https://youtu.be/_8w3zVouLB0

Listen to the Episode here:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/style-my-mind/id1685698623

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6A32CBGVBbB9FvAEsRuMzS?si=6efcf1f8fde7469c

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share! Follow us for more inspiring conversations with leaders in fashion, psychology, and beyond. 🌟