The Science of Style: How What You Wear Shapes How You Lead
By Shangami Muthumani
We’ve all heard the saying, “Dress for the job you want.” But what if I told you: what you wear doesn’t just change how others see you. It changes how you see yourself. Psychologists call it enclothed cognition, the idea that the clothes you wear influence your thoughts, confidence, and performance. In simpler terms, your outfit doesn’t just sit on your body; it seeps into your mindset. And when it comes to leadership, that’s not vanity; it’s strategy.
Why Style Is Emotional Intelligence in Fabric Form
Think about Michelle Obama walking on stage: her posture, her presence, her poise. Every outfit she chooses is intentional: power and approachability stitched together. Or Amal Clooney, standing in courtrooms across the world. Her style doesn’t distract; it commands quiet authority. Her wardrobe speaks before she does: calm, assertive, credible. Even Priyanka Chopra Jonas, stepping onto global stages with unapologetic individuality, embodies what it means to be both bold and graceful, bridging cultures through the language of fashion. These women don’t just wear clothes. They wear clarity.
The Science Behind the Presence
Studies show that over 55% of first impressions are based purely on appearance, not words, not actions. That means before you even speak, your outfit has already started the conversation. The human brain processes visual cues in less than seven seconds, and in those seconds, people subconsciously decide whether to listen, trust, or follow you. But here’s the deeper truth: style isn’t about being noticed. It’s about being remembered for the right reasons. It’s not about trends or price tags. It’s about alignment. When your wardrobe aligns with your purpose, you walk differently, speak differently, lead differently. That’s why I always say: power dressing isn’t armour; it’s alignment.
How I See It in My Work with Women of Influence
I’ve worked with women who lead empires and others who are just beginning to build them. Different stories, same struggle. They’ve spent years investing in their businesses, their teams, their growth but forgot to invest in themselves. One client once told me during her one-to-one styling session, “Shangami, I didn’t realise I was dressing for the woman I used to be.” That’s the shift I live for. When she saw herself in the mirror that day, she didn’t just see a better outfit. She saw the version of herself she’d been growing into all along. And that’s the power of style done with intention.
The Subtle Power of Intention
You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe to redefine yourself. You just need intention: the decision to choose what story your clothes will tell When you start seeing style as part of your leadership, everything shifts.
You speak differently.
You enter rooms differently.
You lead differently.
Because your wardrobe is not just fabric, it’s your first impression, your self-talk, your silent ambassador. Style isn’t surface. It’s psychology. And when done with purpose, it doesn’t just change how the world sees you, it changes how you see yourself within it.
From Signature to Story
That belief inspired me to create The Signature Style Audit, a one-to-one experience designed to help women of influence reconnect with their visual identity, rediscover their presence, and align their personal style with their power. It’s a space for honest reflection: to pause, recalibrate, and realign how you show up with who you truly are.
Wonder what your style persona is? I’m opening this experience; normally valued at £497, as a complimentary session for women ready to elevate their leadership presence with authenticity and purpose.
Because when your style finally matches your story, you don’t just walk into the room: you own it.
