Author name: simrat

“What You Wear Is Your Handshake Before the Handshake.”
That’s not just a stylist’s one-liner — it’s backed by behavioural science.
According to a Princeton study, it takes just 1/10th of a second to form a first impression based solely on appearance. That’s faster than it takes to say “Hi.”
So, whether you’re stepping into a conference room, a cocktail networking mixer, or a power brunch — your outfit is already speaking.
The question is: What is it saying?
Let’s talk about how to make sure it’s saying “credible, confident, and unforgettable” — without stress or overthinking.

Here’s a truth bomb to kick things off:
A 2023 study by Stitch Fix revealed that nearly 1 in 3 women feel anxious about getting dressed — not because they don’t love clothes, but because they don’t feel confident in their bodies or in how to style them.
Let that sink in.
Most people aren’t struggling with fashion, they’re struggling with fitting in — into expectations, trends, jeans that shrank mysteriously (or didn’t), and a world that rarely teaches us how to dress for ourselves.

Did you know your outfit can influence how you feel, think, and even perform mentally?

Back in 2012, researchers at Northwestern University introduced the term “enclothed cognition” to explain how clothing impacts our psychological processes. In simple terms — what you wear doesn’t just reflect your mood. It can shape it.

As a personal stylist in Mumbai, I’ve worked with incredible women — CEOs, new moms, artists, entrepreneurs — who came to me feeling disconnected from themselves. And then… we found the outfit. One that fit their story, flattered their frame, and made them feel seen. Their energy changed instantly. That’s not just fashion — that’s science.

Did you know that Coco Chanel used to wear men’s clothes to feel freer and more powerful — and in doing so, created an entire revolution in women’s fashion? From adding Jersey as dress fabric, to adding comfort as a necessity to women’s wardrobe, she set the dominoes in motion.

That wasn’t just about style. That was about signature — a look so tied to her identity that it became a movement.

In today’s world, finding your signature look might sound like a luxury — but it’s actually a shortcut to effortless confidence. Think of it like your visual calling card. Whether it’s bold red lips, power blazers, vintage layering, or a love for all things minimal — once you find it, you don’t just dress better. You move through the world with more clarity.

In a study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science…

Each day, an average woman spends 17 minutes picking out what to wear. That adds up to four full days every year, or six solid months between high-school graduation and retirement spent doing nothing but choosing a damn shirt. Surprisingly, men aren’t far behind, clocking in at 13 minutes per day. If these numbers make you wonder how to utilize your time better while dressing smarter, you’re in the right place.