Focus on Fashion

As I sat watching “How I Met Your Mother,” I found myself wondering: this TV comedy is a little redundant with its similarities to “Friends.”

But then, there was one quote that brought me to this week’s topic: “Suit up,” one of Barney Stinson’s catch phrases.

With his playboy tendencies, Stinson has developed rules to get girls.

One is to always wear a suit. Stinson’s are always expensive and tailored to fit him perfectly, but is this what really attracts girls?

Are we superficial enough to think that a suit and an air of confidence will make us want to be with a certain person?

I shouldn’t call it superficial because everyone looks at specific traits when trying to find a spouse, life partner or even a friend.

These traits can be communicated through what people wear.

The suit is a way to communicate success. When you think about suits, you think of people with white-collar, high-paying jobs.

This sounds like a gold-digger, but some people want the security that can come from someone in a suit.

That’s why I always say first impressions matter.

They’re a gateway into becoming better acquainted and knowing more about a person, even if you want to know less as you find out more.

Stinson’s tactics to bed women are mean-hearted and he only has one goal, but he’s smart. He knows image is important.

An example: On my way to class two weeks ago, I saw a guy on a motorcycle in a three-piece suit. The first thing I thought was, “Wow, he could be a really cool guy.”
The first, and only, impression I had was of a person who likes excitement but is also serious. There are so many things that can attract one person to another in terms of fashion, and people use fashion to attract others.

It’s not like the flashy male peacock trying to attract the less colorful female.
Humans are more of a two-way street, even though women sometimes spend much more time on their appearance.

It’s all about catching someone’s eye and making them want to know more about you.
I’ve seen four-inch-high heels, aviator sunglasses, heads full of dreadlocks and skirts so short you see butt cheeks.

These choices might be attempts for long-term relationships, one-night stands or just statements to the world, but they’re all about attraction as a form of
communication.

Fashion can dictate how people form opinions of you.

Just as Stinson wants women to form the opinion of him being the powerful and confident man they need to have.

The power of a suit is the idea of success, which is complemented by an air of confidence.

I have a hint for guys: Confidence can be the more important factor. After all, if a girl is giving you most of her attention, she might not notice the grungy pants you grabbed off the floor and threw on right before leaving your room.

— samkirby@indiana.edu