Power Dressing Kevin Hysi A00359065 Social Power Relations

Abstract Clothing has the ability to convey social signals and perceptions to society. This paper explores the relationship between clothing and power, otherwise known as “Power Dressing”. This is a problem because it can enable power differences to occur and it uses past research to support and validate this issue. Overall findings suggest that individuals wearing professional attire in different social situations were perceived to be more competent, attractive, and can achieve greater business performance in comparison to individuals wearing casual attire. Keywords Social Perception, Power, Clothing, Fashion, Inequality Introduction Depending on the social status and mobility of an individual, clothing is relatively expensive. This is problematic because it may enable others to evaluate an individual based on their attire. An individual with low social mobility may not have enough funds to invest into the latest fashion trend in contrast to one with higher mobility. Consequently, power differences and inequality has greater potential to rise. Taking a deeper look into this problem, how individuals decide to dress has an immense impact on how they are perceived by others in society. Paying close attention to clothing details and having a strong fashion sense can effectively shape others perception on how much power they may possess. This is often referred to as “Power Dressing” by top designers in the fashion industry. In specific it is a style of dressing in tailored suits intended to influence and convey authority. As mentioned this paper explores the relationship between clothing and power. It first explains the problems associated with clothing and power. Then, it covers a study conducted by West Virginia University researchers who discovered that students perceived their instructors competence the highest when they were in formal professional attire rather than casual attire. Secondly, the finding that university students who wear fashion brands are perceived as more sociable and intelligent, conducted by Lauren McDermott of Walden and Terry Pettijohn II of Costal Carolina University. Finally, how “Power Dressing” is used to influence business performance, extensively examined in the research paper by Sana Mahmoud Abbasi in the Indian Journal of Research.

Background to the Social Problem “Its origin is dated to the late 1970s early 1980s, where this term reflected the clothing style favoured in the business and politics field in the USA and UK, and it continued through the 1980s” (Abbasi 113). It was originally used mainly for women that were trying to convey the impression of assertiveness. Then it transitioned to reference men in suits and individuals who wanted to convey a sense of power. Today in society “Power Dressing” is evident in many different social institutions. In family gatherings there is a particular way some decide to dress, in school there is a worry that one’s attire might not be the latest fashion, and in religion situations such as when attending church. Patriarchal practices and poverty are two main social facts that likely create and maintain this issue. One patriarchy is that men hold the majority of high power positions and politicians that are on television often adopt the phenomenon of “Power Dressing”. In respect to poverty it is the main reason to why the issue of “Power Dressing” is a problem. Individuals that cannot afford this dressing style do not get the advantages of individuals that can, thus making it difficult to achieve higher social mobility. The unconscious mind and pop culture can also be larger forces that maintain this issue that leads to power differences and inequality. Discussion “Power Dressing” is a problem because it creates power imbalances for “expert practitioners of their own lives” (Smith). Examining this is important because it may help enlighten the inequality that exists as a result to what we wear and understand that getting to know individuals is key. The following discussion will explain the power imbalances that occur in different social situations and show how individuals that are able to “Power Dress” have an advantage to ones that cannot do so. The study conducted by several West Virginia University researchers is a great example of how students “perceptions of instructor competence were highest in the formal professional attire condition, with casual professional attire a close second, and lowest ratings for the casual attire condition” (Morris Et Al 143). However, it is important to note that students “ratings of instructor sociability were most positive in the casual dress condition, lower in the casual professional condition, and even lower in the formal professional conditions” (Morris Et Al 144). This suggests students who feel the power imbalance is not as significant, are more comfortable to reach out to their professors become sociable with them. It is said that western societies moved from mechanical to organic solidarity as a response to social needs (Solidarity Handout). In this situation there is a greater organic solidarity because of the differences of perceptions in relation to what one is wearing. An objective of “Power Dressing” is to stand apart from the rest, which is in line with one of characteristics of organic solidarity. The findings of professor’s McDermott from Walden and Pettijohn II from Coastal Caroline University suggest organic solidarity as well. They showed photographs to students of African American or Caucasian females wearing great sweatshirts with Kmart, Abercrombie & Fitch, or no logo. Which examines the combination of clothing fashion, race and socioeconomic status, which is beyond the scope of this paper yet still relevant. They explain that “models wearing the plain sweatshirt were judged to be most successful and important whereas models wearing the Kmart switcher were judged to be least successful and important” (McDermott & Pettijohn II 71). Perhaps, suggesting that the plain shirts did not symbolize a brand, an idea, or movement thus a shift towards organic solidarity occurring. Exploring the workplace, as a social institution physical experience of employees is heavily emphasized in many industries. The ruling apparatus such as top management designs and issues contacts such as the code of ethics and dress code. They do this by the use of text described as the ruling of relations by Dorothy Smith. “Power Dressing” in the workplace opens up doors for individuals in organizations. As explored in the studies discussed above individuals who participated in this style experienced perceptions such higher competency. Also “the standard advice given by mentors and mangers to people who want to advance their career has always been to dress for the job you want, not the job you have currently” (Abbasi 115). Well taking this advice does come with a price, as a designer John-Michail in an article by Sarah Kimmorley from Business Insider, suggests to not buy cheap you must “aim for the highest quality outfit you can afford plus add 10%.” Ultimately, this is achievable for some individuals depending on their financial situation but one that do not enjoy that flexibility are at an unfair disadvantage. Consequently, power differences around the office and inequality. Lastly, a social experiment that was conducted by a Youtube persona by the name of “QuietAssassins” shows the power of clothing in society. The video shows a man wearing a suit and asking for money and as predicted people were willing to give money for reasons such as short on bus change or for a coffee. However, when the same man was in stereotypical “homeless” clothing, people were not so giving. A prime example of how the “Power Suit” can maintain and create power differences and inequality. Conclusion This paper set out to examine the relationship between clothing and perceived power, in specific those who take part in “Power Dressing”. Findings from past studies suggest that the ones that do experience greater social mobility and power in comparison to ones that do not. This is a problem because it enables individuals to attain this power based on their looks and can be said that it may be unearned. One limitation of this paper is that it does not look at the effect that race may have in individuals that take part in “Power Dressing” and future research may help decrease the gap of power. Based on the inequality that was depicted in this paper, it is a hope that it helps one understand, making greater efforts getting to know the man or woman underneath the clothing is a great step towards diminishing it.

Works Cited Abbasi, Sana. "Power Dressing and Its Influence on Business Performance." Indian Journal of Research 02.9 (2011): 112-16. Print. Costello, Joseph. "The Real Homeless Man Experiment." QuietAssassins. Youtube, 30 July 2014. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. Kimmorley, Sarah. "7 Power-Dressing Tips From A Christian Dior Designer Who's Now Advising Corporates." Business Insider Australia. Business Insider, 09 July 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. McDermott, Lauren A., and Terry F. Pettijohn, II. "The Influence of Clothing Fashion and Race on the Perceived Socioeconomic Status and Person Perception of College Students." The Influence of Clothing Fashion and Race on the Perceived Socioeconomic Status and Person Perception of College Students 1 (n.d.): Psychology and Society. Psychology and Society Vol 4 (2) 64-75, 01 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. Morris, Tracy L., Joan Gorham, Stanley H. Cohen, and Drew Huffman. "Fashion in the Classroom: Effects of Attire on Student Perceptions of Instructors in College Classes." Fashion in the Classroom: Effects of Attire on Student Perceptions of Instructors in College Classes. Communication Education Vol 45, 01 Apr. 1996. Web. 10 Mar. 2015