Your Clothes Speak For You… Send The Right Message!

1. Your Clothes Speak For You…Send The Right Message! Fashion Design, Textiles and Merchandising

2. First impressions are made within the first few seconds! • First Impression = • Words • Verbal communication + • Behavior • Non-verbal communication (behavior & manners) + • Personal Appearance • Non-verbal communication (clothing & grooming)

3. Types of Communication • Verbal Communication • Tone, choice of words, sounds • Non-Verbal Communication • Behavior and Manners • Body Language • Clothing • Grooming

4. Non-Verbal Communication • Behavior and Manners Polite, appropriate, people want to be around you • Body Language Eye contact, facial expressions, posture • Clothing Most obvious, consider color, neatness, style for self and occasion • Grooming General appearance, neat & clean, hair, teeth, nails, breath, make-up

5. Two Types of Messages • Intended Message: • What you want others to receive • Actual Message: • What others actually receive

6. Examples of Messages Given Through Clothing • Personality • Outgoing/shy, talkative/quiet, confident/unsure • Emotions • Happy, sad • Self-concept • Positive = take pride in appearance • Negative = appearance not important • Values • Beliefs • Occupation • Status

7. Why is non-verbal communication not always accurate in determining what type of person someone is? • Messages can be misinterpreted • Stereotypes • Unconsciously group people according to their appearance

8. Appearance and clothing send a message – make sure it is the message you want other to receive!