When people seek me out, either to read my blog or to experience first-hand my expertise, they are looking for ways to be more confident in the second skin that is their clothing.

The young guy heading off to college in need of a set of clothes that he feels comfortable in as he makes this challenging transition is all about being confident in his clothing.  Being confident in his clothes is about finding his “visual voice” so that his peers see how well he fits in while they also see unique and attractive characteristics.  This totally happens through the lens of personal style and clothing.

The newly minted chief executive officer in need of a wardrobe update that expresses a more modern version of himself isn’t an exercise in vanity.  It’s a way of keeping a look of confidence that rallies the employees’ morale and ensures he makes the appropriate and authentic impression as the company’s public face.  Having the right clothes, and knowing how and when to wear them is an incredible confidence booster.  He never has to ask or wonder what anyone thinks about how he is perceived because he’s clothed in certainty.

The business owner who used to be in high tech but now has the freedom to own her own company has a chance to reinvent how she looks.  No longer mandated to dress in menswear inspired clothing, she looks to revamp her wardrobe so that everyone, and especially she, gets to know and experience her caring energy, not just her businesslike acumen.

The consultant who wants a fresh opportunity in her career within her company didn’t just want to reposition herself with a start-up mentality. She decided to make a concerted effort to prepare a wardrobe that gives her the appearance that she’s energetic and ready for the challenge.  Wearing confidence on her sleeve is going to help her prove to the higher-ups that she’s not just able, but ready to shift into a very fast-paced business model, without losing sight of her true qualities.

The high tech engineer could wear “whatever” to work because that’s the nature of the behind-the-scenes role of Silicon Valley engineers.  But he’s single and knows that women, who can afford to hold out for “Mr. Right in Silicon Valley,” have rather high expectations.  So he wants to learn more about style so he can develop his own and wear clothes with confidence so that when he’s away from work dressing “up” is totally natural and comfortable.  He sees the importance and the power that clothes have just as much as he needs to fit in with his work culture, and now he wants to develop the confidence to define himself away from work and socially.

In all cases, there’s nothing phony or vapid about caring about being confident in clothes.  When chosen with purposeful intention, clothes are the exterior communicator of your inner qualities, traits, and characteristics – all without uttering a word.  When you have confidence, you don’t have to say anything because you have presence.

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