Hey everyone, I’ve been on a two-week hiatus, otherwise known as a dream trip to southeast Asia…which I highly recommend when you have an overwhelming desire to experience travel time of about 24 hours :). All kidding aside, I can definitely say that this part of the world has so much to offer: culture, geography, warm hospitable people and GREAT FOOD.
My first stop was in Singapore which led me quite naturally to this latest blog post! Singapore is a modern and bustling place, full of commerce, activity and a diverse population. The city-state is located very near the equator and so has a pretty temperate climate. There is much outdoor activity and nowhere is this more evident than down by the riverfront where many restaurants and shops are located.
I spent much of my time on the riverfront where the people-watching is at its best. I loved seeing people jogging, parents with strollers, and of course all the guys walking by in all manner of dress! And it didn’t take long for a pattern to emerge…
The men who were dressed in shirts and slacks which fit them well and were flattering in color strolled by with their heads held high…shoulders back, taking long, confident strides. Their self-confidence was palpable! And I’m pleased to say that there were plenty of them. By contrast, the men who wore more ill-fitting clothing more or less trudged along with shoulders slightly slumped, often looking down at the ground instead of straight ahead and making eye contact with others that they met.
I began to ponder the question: do the men who dress to enhance their appearance do so because they inherently know that it works? Or does the outfit itself help to provide that type of attractive self-confidence? Conversely, does an ill-fitting wardrobe mask a lack of self-confidence and so the wearer doesn’t want to attract attention and wants to remain unnoticed…and to project an image that is actually pretty negative about himself and quite possibly his outlook on life?
I’m certainly not a psychologist but I’ve been in this business long enough to understand that there are many factors that affect our choices regarding the image we present to the outside world. Our physical appearance is the first impression that others will form. Why not make it a positive one by focusing a little bit of time on how we look? I truly believe that we all feel better about ourselves when we take some time to make sure that the image we project is a bright and confident one!
Pretty soon this focusing time will become second nature and will automatically be built into your daily routine. What a great way to start the new year — by becoming a new you! Until next time…keep it stylish!