You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover nor a man by his appearance, but let’s face the harshness of reality: We all do it. We make decisions about people within the first few seconds of meeting them while we spend the next few minutes trying to validate our initial impressions.

A considerable amount of you are probably saying, “I could care less what people think of me”. Well, I’m here to give you a few good reasons why you should.

Being Remembered

“Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered” –Giorgio Armani

In our overcrowded and highly competitive world, the only way to be remembered is to really stand out. Being able to make a lasting impression on people is one of the single most important talents one can attain in life.

There’s more to it then just dressing well, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be noticed for your graceful attire. The truth is that people are constantly going to be looking at what you are wearing and how you are wearing it. If they notice something they like or respect, they will remember it and in turn remember you.

Life is Spontaneous

You never know who you are going to meet, where you are going to meet them, and most importantly, when you are going to meet them. The mystery within these concepts is just another reason why you should always be on your A game when it comes to your daily get-up. Whether you are going to work, to a party, to an event, or even down the street to your local Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee, find a way to look sharp.

You simply cannot afford to slack off or get lazy with your clothes at any time because when you do go down to you the store in gym shorts, a cut off t-shirt and sandals and you run into the girl of your dreams, guess what? You’re finished before you could even get started. Be prepared day in, day out with an unwaveringly presentable wardrobe, and you’ll never have to worry about getting caught off guard in regards to the way you look.

Confidence: Look Good, Feel Good

 It’s as simple as that: When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you’re going to be more productive, energetic, and of course, more confident in everything you do. Self-confidence is an essential attitude if you want to move forward in life and there couldn’t be any easier way to obtain it.

Without the confidence that comes from a solid impression of yourself and your appearance, there is a 0% chance of succeeding in your long term endeavors or developing any type of solid relationships.

It’s not all about how we feel though. Sometimes it’s more important what other people feel, how they are effected by the impression we put on them. What do other people experience when we dress well? When dressed with style and elegance, people around you will sense the confidence and treat you differently then someone who doesn’t have that rousing aura surrounding them.

Investing in Yourself: The ROI of Fashion

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society” –Mark Twain

When people ask, what do you think is the single most important investment you will make in your life?….your answer is most likely something along the lines of, “my future house, car, business, etc.”  I’m here to tell you that is incorrect. The most important investment(s) you will make in life will be in yourself, in your reputation. You will be the reason you either succeed or fail in life.

There’s one investment in yourself that will always have an exceptionally high ROI, and that is investing in the way you look. To get ahead in your career, whether it be for money or status, you need to dress to impress. If you’re at work, look at what you are wearing at this very moment.

Think about what position you want in 5 or even 10 years. That is the position you should be dressing for day in and day out of the office. When you dress for success, you establish credibility, become more influential and give off the vibe that you are prepared to be someone great.

So always remember: Before you walk out that door, stop, look in the mirror one last time and ask yourself, “Do I look good? Do I feel good? And of course, Do I look and feel elite?”

Joe Sorrentino | Elite.