12 hours ago
The one small clothing tweak that could entirely change the way people treat you
If someone decides to 'make more of an effort' with their clothes when they go to work, they will likely experience an 'overwhelming' and advantageous difference in the way others treat them, according to a style influencer.
UK TikToker Ryan Barton, whose videos help viewers look refined without spending a fortune, published a clip in which he explained exactly why a polished appearance can control other 'people's behaviours'.
Ryan, who works in an office where jeans and gymwear are acceptable and typical, told how he swapped casual clothing for 'shirts, tailored trousers [and] loafers - and that 'the difference it made was overwhelming'.
The youthful influencer, who was 51,000 followers on TikTok, said: 'Nothing else changed. I still had the same desk, I still had the same job'.
But, having embraced a more formal look, Ryan noticed that others started to treat him better.
He added: 'People started to say "Hello" when they'd never said "Hello" before. I started to get asked for my input in meetings when I'd never been asked before.'
Yet, the 'subtle' but 'noticeable' change that Ryan experienced was not a fluke. Rather, it has been observed by psychologists and even has a name: The Halo Effect.
Ryan explained: 'When you look put together, people assume you're more confident, maybe even smarter, before you've even said a word.
@ryanjbarton
Dressing well isn't just about looking good, it literally changes how people treat you. Here's why your outfit speaks before you do, and what psychology has to do with style, confidence, and first impressions. #mensfashion #mensstyle #mensstyle #menswear #classicmenswear #officeoutfit
♬ original sound - Ryan Barton
'So, by being intentional with the way that you dress, you kind of trick people into thinking that you're a more capable and should be more respected.'
But what someone decides to wear doesn't just influence how others perceive and treat them - it also affects their own behaviour.
Ryan added: 'There's also something that's called "Enclothed Cognition". That's when what you wear starts to influence how you behave.
'So, the better that you dress, the more assured that you become - and the more that people will naturally reflect that energy back to you.'
The influencer summed this up by saying that if you 'dress sharply, then the world will adjust its tone towards you.'
He also acknowledged that the way someone dresses is more important than what they say when it comes to earning the respect of others.
He concluded: 'If you feel like you're not getting the respect or the recognition that you want within your workplace then try out this trick'.
Ryan's video received an amazing 241,500 views in a matter of two days and amassed more than 14,000 comments.
Fellow TikTok users were quick to comment on Ryan's video - but not everyone agreed it's worth dressing up for work
Many TikTok users were convinced by the influencer's theory - but some were sceptical.
One person wrote: 'The older I get, the more I realise dressing well is important. It's about [the] self-discipline [required] to maintain the upkeep every single day'. A second agreed: 'Facts. Dress how you wish to be addressed.'
Another shared their experience of 'enclothed cognition', adding: 'I wear a suit working from home, to be honest for same reason. [It] looks smart on meetings and my dog treats me differently'.
A fourth person said: 'Gymwear should never be worn in the office, ever.'
But a fifth explained that their approach was slightly different. They commented: 'White Ralph Lauren shirt plus Under Armour shorts for Zoom meetings'. Under Armour is a popular gymwear brand.
A sixth person, however, shared an entirely different approach: 'I use the Halo Effect for the reverse - going totally casual. It's lovely and peaceful'.
While a seventh pointed out: 'I've found from working in corporate for 15 years that the more you earn, the less fancy you dress'.
Someone else expressed a more controversial opinion, writing: 'A perfect suit signals narcissism.'
