No matter how many times we’ve heard truisms like “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” and regardless of how sincerely we say “it’s what’s on the inside that counts,” we all judge one another according to appearance. And you know how long it takes us to form an initial impression of a new acquaintance? 1-2-3. Yep, that’s it. Three seconds. When it comes to those all-important first three seconds, clothes are certainly important. However, there are some other aspects of your physical appearance that people will notice, too.
Importance of Eye Contact
Both eye contact and a winsome smile are top runners when it comes to first impressions. And it’s easy to understand why. When someone makes eye contact with you, they communicate that they’re interested in you and what you have to say; and let’s face it, each of us likes it when others show interest in us.
If you’re shy or feel uncomfortable making eye contact for any reason, don’t worry: you can fake it. Tricks ranging from noticing other facial features to looking elsewhere on a person’s face can help you communicate interest without the intimidation that comes with actual eye contact.
Significance of Smiles
Smiles are universal. While the legitimacy of the “Duchenne markers,” as they’ve come to be called, is certainly up for debate, much has been discussed regarding the presence of smiles and the distinction between genuine ones and fake ones. While you might not be able to manufacture a Duchenne smile, you can motivate yourself to authentically don a smile, even in an uncomfortable situation. How? Simply think about something that truly makes you happy!
The good news is that smiles are rewarding: “by smiling, you become a socially rewarding person, whom people will work harder to help.” In fact, a great smile is something you can choose to put on; and they’re almost always well received. “Similar to a little black dress or a classic suit, smiles are a perfect fit for many social occasions.”
Basics of Body Language
A surefire way to come across positively is to pay attention to the way you walk. Or, rather, don’t. The more self-conscious you are, the less likely you’ll be to have the kind of “effortless, easy gait” that conveys confidence. In fact, it gives an even more positive vibe than you might think: when you walk easily, you come across as adventurous and trustworthy — two traits most people appreciate!
How you dress is bound to affect not only the impression you make on the whole, but also your ability to smile, comfortably make eye contact, and achieve that effortless gait you’re after. When you feel good about what you’re wearing and everything fits comfortably, you’ll be more likely to rock all 3 of those seconds that matter most.
Penny Pincher Boutique
We’re Westchester’s luxury consignment shop offering women’s designer clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags and much more. Visit our shop at 184 Harris Road in Bedford Hills, New York or visit us online at www.pennypincherboutique.com. You can also find a selection of our items on sale on eBay. We ship throughout the United States.
Images in this blog post are taken from the Penny Pincher Boutique Instagram page. Images represent items which may already have been sold.
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