The Ultimate Body Language Book

Chapter 2 – The Basics Of Understanding Body Language
Fashion And Its Meaning
Have you ever thought that a tie resembles a giant downward facing arrow?
Clothing is very potent and gives off all sorts of vital information about its wearer and is a language
onto itself. Before we even speak with one another, our clothing creates an image about us, it also tells
of our sex, age, occupation, origins, social class, personality and beliefs. Clothing can also tell others
where we are going as well as what we are about to do. A business suit for example, indicates that one
is conducting business or a summer dress indicates that one is on vacation. In other words, clothing
provides context.
As a language clothing can be conventional or eccentric, clothing can give off signals about who one
wants to be or become. Teenagers place importance on designer clothing so they can impress their
friends and fit in, but as we grow older, our shift takes on a more specific role as we tailor our attire to
the functions we attend and to the status we want to hold. Imagine showing up at a cocktail party
thinking the event was inform and so appearing under-dressed, this can be embarrassing. The reason is
of course because we feel that we will be discriminated against or judged as being something we aren’t.
Clothing can also set us apart from others in terms of values and the eccentric often have flamboyant
clothing to differentiate themselves from others showing that their ideas about life are different than the
rest of those around them. Just keep in mind that while you may wish to send one message to a specific
group of people in one location, you are passing by many more on the way, each one of which are
getting the same message.
How one ‘wears’ what they wear also gives off indicators of their disposition. For example, the uptight
employee that does his collar up to the top, or the laid back who fails to properly tighten his neck tie or
avoids wearing one at all. Having buttons done up tight as opposed to having and open suite jacket also
has meaning. In a tense situation such as a court case, the defendant would be expected to show his
serious side so we expect his jacket to be done up tight with a straight tie, whereas the year end office
party would create a relaxed atmosphere causing people to loosen up or remove their ties altogether