Which is more important, the Armani Suit or the Attitude?

I was enjoying a drink with Mana, from www.Manamica.com not too long ago and we got to talking about suits and attitude. Which one is more important or do we need both to succeed in our life endeavors? She decided it’s best that we take our conversation to the internet and see what others thought.

Here are my thoughts on the matter:

I’m not a tailor. Although sometimes I wish everyone knew a great one. I like seeing people walking in the suits, talking in the suits, and…smiling in the suits. A suit can’t make the man but can easily break him.

What’s more important, the suit or the attitude? I would say both. There is nothing wrong with wanting two things instead of one and I greatly appreciate the fine craftsmanship of Armani suits. Sorry Mana, I can’t just chose one! Although I will say this: I would rather people notice my personality before my suit.

A lot of times people count on the suit to make them look professional, well put together, etc. Here’s the point that everyone misses by a hundred miles or so : the suit never makes the man. The man makes the suit. Many approach “the suit” with intimidation and fear which can be easily noticed by others around you.  Never underestimate people’s ability to sense your discomfort wearing an Armani suit. Countless times I have witnessed a victim being worn by the suit and not wearing the suit.

My point is, owning that amazing suit, or suits, is fantastic but if you let the suit overtakes your personality then you’re better off running around naked, at least that might attract people’s attention rather than fading in the background. Don’t be another man in the room trying to be someone you’re not. Adjust your attitude before you adjust your wardrobe. That’s my advice.

One more thing and maybe this one is going off topic a bit but it’s important, nevertheless. If you absolutely must chose one item to have tailored it must be a white dress shirt. It’ll go a long way. Trust me.

Mana:

I work with suits. No, I’m not a tailor. I work in a place where people wear suits, walk the suits, talk the suits, and… may not smile in suits. I also work with some amazing, fun, creative people. But I want to have a conversation on suits. Suits as a symbol of professionalism.

I think having a dynamic, positive attitude has more advantages than the Armani suit in most situations.

It would have to be an extreme situation for someone to respond to, “let’s do good” with “let’s do bad.” It’s also very hard to not respond with a smile to a genuine smile (although in Eastern Europe a random smile may get a frown and a, “what are you laughing at?”).

I have no hard evidence but I am 100% convinced that a positive, dynamic attitude is a win every time.

The old Greek formula for successful rhetoric required “ethos” (character of the speaker) “logos” (reason) and “pathos” (emotions). With a positive dynamic attitude you’ve got “ethos” and “pathos” covered. Positive dynamic people light up the room and lend out energy to all around them. Have you ever met people who say things you disagree with but you’re still listening to them because they have a positive, dynamic attitude?

The suit situation I think is a bit more complex, because an Armani suit can be a symbol that may trigger many opposing reactions – respect or scorn, admiration or self-consciousness, attraction or fear, social connection or social discomfort etc.

In other words, while I can predict that in most cases a smile will get a smile, the reaction to the Armani suit may not be as easy to predict. Suits are necessary at times, and may be have a disengaging effect at others. A suit is pleasant, put together, but may not inspire.

So, bottom line, I would recommend bringing a positive dynamic attitude in any room, and wear the Armani suit when you know your audience will respond positively to it.

What do you have to say about this?

Thank you Mana for giving me the privilege of contributing to the topic. You can follow her on twitter here. She’s an awesome Chicago tweep who talks about social media, digital marketing, life hacks and SCUBA.