Jianing Lu

What we wear can shape the first impression we make, especially in professional setting like job interviews or meetings. This study looked at how the colour and style of work clothing, as well as accessories, affect where people look at the traits people attribute to someone at first meeting. In the experiment, over 200 volunteers viewed photos of the same woman dressed in different outfits. All participants recruited through social media and academic networks. The outfits varied by colour (black, red, or white) and style (formal business attire versus casual wear). Some participants had their eye movements tracked to see which parts of the outfit they noticed, while others simply rated their impression of the person’s qualities

The results were obvious. When participants looked at the images, their eyes tended to focus on the main clothing items (like the suit jacket or cardigan) rather than on small details or accessories. Items such as watches or belts received very little visual attention. In terms of first impressions, the colour black stood out as a powerful choice. The model dressed in black was consistently rated as more authoritative and competent compared to when she wore red or white. This confirms the common idea that black clothing conveys a sense of authority and professionalism.

The most surprising finding was about clothing style. The casually dressed model was rated more positively on professional traits, such as authority, competence, and trustworthiness, than the formally dressed version. This goes against the old ‘dress formal to impress’ advice and suggests that attitudes toward work attire are changing. Today’s viewers seemed to associate the casual look with approachability and confidence, without seeing it as unprofessional.

In summary, this study suggests that a well-chosen casual outfit, especially in colour black, can make a strong, positive impression in a professional context. Meanwhile, spending a lot of efforts on extra accessories might not pay off, since people barely notice them in first meeting. These insights reflect a shift in workplace fashion norms, with comfort and authenticity becoming more accepted as part of a professional image.