Hi all,
Thought I'd contribute some of my experiences. Like it or not, people judge you first based on your appearance. As big guys, the most common reaction to us is, believe it or not, that we are intimidating! This is certainly not the reality for most big guys, but it makes sense from a psychological perspective; you see a bear, you are wary! haha
It goes without saying that there are ways to overcome with, and I bet many of you are already using some of this to your advantage. In the business world, intimidation can be a good thing if you want to be a leader. Instead of putting people off, use it as a contributing factor to support professional authority.
In order to accomplish this, you must first appear professional! How can you do this? Well, my first step was to find a good plus-sized clothing store that really understood fashion. For me, it was Destination XL.
Before we go any farther, though, understand that looking good does cost money, but not in the way you may think. Ask yourself; would you rather have one incredibly sharp suit or five that don't fit? That's how you should view all of your clothes!
Let's say that you're on a fixed income, as I was when I started. Maybe you don't have much disposable income. You probably buy clothes, though, right? If you do, then you likely have a set budget for those clothes. Maybe you expect to buy four shirts per year. My suggestion, then, is to buy two shirts per year with that same money. That way, you're getting higher-quality clothes that last longer and look better. For instance, a dress shirt for work normally costs $30 from the department store and needs to be replaced each year. I could instead spend $60 on a shirt that would last twice as long (it's true!).
Once you've reallocated your clothing budget, it's time to realize that fit is everything. Having a bit more flexibility in your spending will allow you to experience brands that fit certain body shapes better than others. However, off-the-rack fit is not going to work for everyone! This is where going to a good clothier helps; they often work with local tailors who will make sure you look your best.
That's more money, though! It is, but buying better clothes that fit in a way that matches your body type will lower those costs. Plus, as your weight increases or decreases, you'll have a bit more room for clothing alterations that will save you from yet another new wardrobe.
This is all just my personal experience. At ~350 pounds, I still think I look good, and I get complimented on occassion. I've had success combining the intimidating stature with professionalism, and hope that you can, too. Feel free to PM with any questions!
Thought I'd contribute some of my experiences. Like it or not, people judge you first based on your appearance. As big guys, the most common reaction to us is, believe it or not, that we are intimidating! This is certainly not the reality for most big guys, but it makes sense from a psychological perspective; you see a bear, you are wary! haha
It goes without saying that there are ways to overcome with, and I bet many of you are already using some of this to your advantage. In the business world, intimidation can be a good thing if you want to be a leader. Instead of putting people off, use it as a contributing factor to support professional authority.
In order to accomplish this, you must first appear professional! How can you do this? Well, my first step was to find a good plus-sized clothing store that really understood fashion. For me, it was Destination XL.
Before we go any farther, though, understand that looking good does cost money, but not in the way you may think. Ask yourself; would you rather have one incredibly sharp suit or five that don't fit? That's how you should view all of your clothes!
Let's say that you're on a fixed income, as I was when I started. Maybe you don't have much disposable income. You probably buy clothes, though, right? If you do, then you likely have a set budget for those clothes. Maybe you expect to buy four shirts per year. My suggestion, then, is to buy two shirts per year with that same money. That way, you're getting higher-quality clothes that last longer and look better. For instance, a dress shirt for work normally costs $30 from the department store and needs to be replaced each year. I could instead spend $60 on a shirt that would last twice as long (it's true!).
Once you've reallocated your clothing budget, it's time to realize that fit is everything. Having a bit more flexibility in your spending will allow you to experience brands that fit certain body shapes better than others. However, off-the-rack fit is not going to work for everyone! This is where going to a good clothier helps; they often work with local tailors who will make sure you look your best.
That's more money, though! It is, but buying better clothes that fit in a way that matches your body type will lower those costs. Plus, as your weight increases or decreases, you'll have a bit more room for clothing alterations that will save you from yet another new wardrobe.
This is all just my personal experience. At ~350 pounds, I still think I look good, and I get complimented on occassion. I've had success combining the intimidating stature with professionalism, and hope that you can, too. Feel free to PM with any questions!
9 years