Life today is lived in the fast lane, even when it comes to buying clothing.  Many people are buying clothes like they consume fast food.  And we all know what happens with fast food:  instant satisfaction and later regret.

Speeding through life like this has negative implications on your brand and image.

What I want to draw your attention to today is that you consider your brand and image at the same time.

When you go clothes shopping in this fast fashion world, it’s so easy to be thinking of what satisfies your craving for something new to make you feel full.  The racks in stores are full of interesting styles and attractive colors that seem to reel you in like bait.  With little time to devote to the task of shopping for something new, but with the desire for that new item, your temptation can lead you down the path of least resistance.  Maybe you find an item you’re not entirely sure about, but you will buy it anyhow.  While you’re at it, you find another piece that maybe will work, so you grab it and take it home, too.  Now you’ve got two marginal pieces at home that you haven’t totally gotten right, but that’s as much effort as you were able to put into the moment of shopping.

But when you consider your image and brand, you have to evaluate choices at a different pace.  This is because your personal visual brand is entirely about considering what demonstrates your value and how it shows you at your best.

When you hastily select something new to wear without considering how it affects your presence, you could easily wear something that leads others to have the wrong impression about you.  If you intended to have a goal in mind, like to look presentable at an interview, or to represent your company at a sales meeting, or to make the right statement at an important party, you might fall short of achieving your goal.

Clothing should visually support your strengths and attributes by relating to your personality and physicality.  Clothing should help to differentiate you from others by highlighting your individuality.  Though other people may look similar to you, or may even dress in a style similar to your own, no one should look quite like you because the choices you make that show you at your best celebrate the uniqueness of your personal brand and image, and no one else’s.

How you look is a visual extension of your credibility.  So why would you skip a step and ignore your personal brand attributes and how they impact your image and style?  It’s one thing to “be styled” by someone who doesn’t know you and it’s another experience altogether to uncover the truth of who you are and let your strengths show through your style.  Yes it takes effort, and yes it changes over time.  But if you want to do it well and do it right, considering your brand and image at the same time will help you reach your personal goals like you’re living life in that fast lane – only you’ll actually enjoy this ride and the view, too.

Joseph Rosenfeld helps high-profile individuals revitalize, manage, and be secure in their personal visual brand. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.