You may think you’re flying under the radar—trying not to stand out, staying quiet, keeping your head down. But here’s the thing: Whether you realize it or not, your outfit is doing all the talking, and it may not say what you want it to say. My friend, client, and communications expert, Heather Lisle, recently shared a powerful message in her newsletter:
“Silence costs you. It costs you opportunities, promotions, sales, and sometimes, the respect of the people around you.”
She was talking about communication skills or lack of them, but it got me thinking: What if the silence in your voice is rooted in what’s missing from your wardrobe?
What Are You Communicating Without Saying a Word?
You don’t need to open your mouth to make a first impression. You don’t even need to be in the room for people to form opinions about you.
93% of communication is non-verbal. Let that sink in. Before you speak, your clothes are already doing the talking. What is your wardrobe saying about you?
So, let me ask:
➡️ When you get dressed, does your outfit convey “confident leader” or “I just threw something on”?
➡️ Does your wardrobe and what you wear reinforce your credibility or quietly undermine it?
➡️ Are you dressing in alignment with your brand, or are your clothes saying nothing at all?
The Cost of a Quiet Closet
Silence doesn’t just cost you in conversations. Not having clothes in your closet that reflect the body you have now, the person you have become, or the role you are aiming for costs you visibility, confidence, influence, and income.
💸 Missed opportunities
💸 Skipped promotions
💸 Lost clients
💸 Diminished authority
And here is the kicker: You are likely losing out to someone with less experience, not because they are more qualified, but because they are showing up with intention. That’s The LeapFrog Effect in action. Check out last week’s blog to learn more.
Style Is a Leadership Tool
What you wear when you walk into a room or log on to Zoom will either reinforce or dilute your brand. After years of working with clients, what I know for sure is that when the clothes you wear are not authentic, on brand, and don’t give you confidence, you are less likely to:
🧠 Speak up
🤝 Collaborate
💼 Lead
Every day, you choose to dress with intention—or not and your wardrobe will either elevate your voice or silence it. What Is Your Wardrobe Saying About You? It is not about dressing up to impress others. It is about aligning your outer image with your inner goals, so that what people see reflects what you believe about yourself.
Your clothes should amplify what you are already capable of. Not mute it.
Ask Yourself…
- Are the clothes in my closet a positive and accurate reflection of who I am and where I want to go?
- Is my closet full of pieces that support my current life, lifestyle, and goals?
- If my outfit could speak, what would it be saying?
The Next Step? Get Intentional
Style is your non-verbal elevator pitch. Stop leaving it up to chance.
👗 Clear out the clutter.
👠 Curate pieces that reflect your values, energy, and goals.
💼 Start dressing like the leader, manager, or expert you already are.
When your wardrobe reflects the next-level version of you, confidence follows. And with it, clarity, presence, and power.
The cost of staying quiet—verbally or visually—is too high.
Your brand never sleeps. Neither should your style. What Is Your Wardrobe Saying About You? Need help? Reach out. I am happy to help.