“Dressing the Part”
In reading “Washington: A Life” by Ron Chernow, I found it interesting how much George Washington had an inherit dedication to how he represented himself, spending exhaustive energy on his dress even designing his cloths to give him a presentation of a higher class then he was in society. George Washington at a very young age identified that he wanted to elevate himself in society and was always attempting to raise his status in life. Through out his life and when ever appropriate, George Washington always presented himself in appropriate attire and in best of dress. There may be something to looking the part, dressing in appropriate attire, which may present you in a better class. It is understood in business that it is important to dress for success and there has been entire books dedicated to dressing for success and the psychological impact of how you represent your visual appearance. Dressing for success can make you feel successful, confident and strong. How far back can we demonstrate examples of dressing for success? Can we learn from our first president George Washington?
George Washington may have had a slight addiction with his appearance that could have been partly driven by his constant attempt to raise his status, most importantly during the meetings of the Continental Congress he not only felt the need to dress the part but was the only member that dressed in full military uniform at every meeting. He did so in an attempt to represent Virginia as ready to fight and support the cause. He, according to the notes from the Continental Congress, was unanimously voted Commander and Chief of Army over John Hancock and others that had more military experience. Many sources state that members of the Continental Congress wanted George Washington as the leader of the army because he was from Virginia. They thought a Virginian could unite the colonies and it probably did not hurt the perception the members had that George Washington was a great military leader, seeing that he was the only one dressed in a military wardrobe, a buff and blue wardrobe that he himself designed. Don’t miss understand that dress alone was the cause for him being chosen to lead the army, George Washington was recognized as being a decorated military leader in the French and Indian War and was also a member of the Continental Congress. He sat on military committees that were to prepare an army for war. Dressing the part couldn’t have hurt his reputation and perception of his ability to lead a military but most likely only assisted in the member’s perception of his leadership.
We all practice dressing for success, dressing the part, dressing for the occasion is always important. When interviewing for a job it is always best to wear a suit even though the interview may be more casual. I must say, if you don’t take my word for it then maybe we can learn from the first President George Washington that it is always better to dress up then down, perception and first impressions are the most important.
References for further reading:
“Washington: A Life” by Ron Chernow
www.cbsnews.com “The new rules for dressing for success”
“Journals of the Continental Congress”
“George Washington – the Man Behind the Myths”
by William Meade Stith Rasmussen, Robert S. Tilton
Dr. J's Leadership & Misc. Topics. 