The Look LAB – Look Like a Billionaire, Dress for Success!

  35 to 90% of relationship, hiring, and business decisions are influenced mostly by first impressions. Depending on which expert you ask!  That means how you look when you walk into a room can either open doors or close them. Dressing for success doesn’t mean chasing every fashion trend or buying the most expensive clothes, but it does mean knowing how to present yourself in a sharp, confident, and appropriate way. You only get one chance to make a first impression, why not make it count?

Are you a millionaire about to meet a billionaire for the first time and tempted to downdress as you have seen photos of Mr. Dithers wearing jeans and a black tee-shirt?  DON’T DO IT!!!  Just because they down dress does not mean they want to see others follow suit, copy or engage in reverse snobbery. Do your research, understand the psyche of your new connection and be yourself so that you feel confident in the meeting!

Are you a billionaire about to meet a subordinate or potential new hire and tempted to wear jeans and a black tee shirt or do the opposite by donning a power suit? DON’T DO IT!!!  Dress approachable and with peronal style style based on your authentic values.  Is the culture of your enterprise more conservative in nature?  If so, you may want to wear brands which reflect those values.  Perhaps a shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren ®, tortoise shell glasses and consider John Lobb® style classic dress shoes.

Are you a short man about to go on a date with tall successful socialite? Consider inviting her on a date which would prevent her from wearing high heels. Perhaps a lawn picnic at the croquet club or a nice park with a flower garden.  Or even something which requires a good amount of walking such as a stroll on the sidewalk around the lake. Consider shoe inserts if you feel it will increase your confidence!  Higher confidence makes for better first impressions.  Wear an oxford with vertical stripes to enhance your appearance with respect to height. To establish authority and respect in her eyes, consider dark colors such as navy blue, Republican red burgundy or black!

The Power of Grooming

Let’s start with grooming because it’s the foundation of appearance. If your hair looks messy, your nails are dirty, or you smell like a barnyard, it won’t matter how expensive your suit is.

·         Haircuts: Get a haircut or trim every two weeks. Yes, every two weeks. Even if you’re growing your hair out, get the edges cleaned up. John Gotti, like many sharp dressers, got his hair trimmed weekly. You don’t have to follow a mob boss’s playbook, but consistency pays off. Also, ask the barber to trim your eyebrows, ears, and nose hair. You’d be surprised how many people overlook that.

·         Shaving and facial hair: If you shave, keep it smooth and clean. If you have facial hair, shape it often. A scruffy or uneven beard gives off a lazy impression. Consider investing in a high-quality razor or visiting a barber who offers clean shaves with a hot towel.

·         Hygiene: Daily shower, deodorant, clean nails, fresh breath. This is non-negotiable. Nothing screams unprofessional more than bad body odor or yellow teeth. Carry mints or gum and keep a toothbrush at work if needed.

·         Posture: Stand up straight. Shoulders back. Chin up. You’ll look taller, more confident, and more successful without saying a word.

The Uniform of Success: Suits and Business Attire

Depending on your industry, the definition of dressing for success changes. Wall Street isn't the same as Silicon Valley, and real estate isn't the same as entertainment. But clean, tailored clothing is always in style.

·         Suits: A well-tailored suit can change your life. It should fit your shoulders, taper your waist, and break perfectly at your shoes. Tailoring is key. Off-the-rack suits are fine, but find a local tailor and invest in making it fit you. Navy, charcoal gray, and black are the power colors. Pinstripes work in finance; solid colors often work better in law or media.

·         Shirts and ties: Crisp, clean, and ironed. White shirts are classic, but light blues, soft grays, and even pinks show confidence. Ties should complement your suit and not be too flashy. A silk tie, solid or subtly patterned, is a safe and sharp choice. Windsor or half-Windsor knots work best.

·         Shoes: Wear leather shoes and shine them regularly. Oxfords, derbies, or loafers depending on the occasion. Black shoes go with black and gray suits, brown with navy and lighter colors. Cheap shoes ruin expensive outfits. Invest in real leather and rotate your pairs.

·         Cufflinks: Small but powerful. A tasteful pair of cufflinks (nothing cheesy or oversized) can signal class and attention to detail. Not every shirt requires them, but when worn correctly, they add authority to your look.

·         Belts and socks: Your belt should match your shoes—always. Socks should be dark and long enough that skin doesn’t show when you sit.

Women’s Power Dressing

For women, the balance between stylish and professional can be tricky, especially in male-dominated industries. But power dressing isn’t about blending in—it’s about standing out intelligently.

·         Tailored outfits: Whether it’s a pantsuit, pencil skirt and blouse, or fitted dress, the fit matters more than the price tag. Avoid overly flashy colors unless you're in fashion or media. Neutrals like navy, beige, white, and black never go out of style.

·         Briefcases over handbags: Carry a sleek leather briefcase or structured tote. It communicates that you mean business—and it holds just as much as a purse, if not more.

·         Shoes: Polished closed-toe heels or elegant flats are ideal. Avoid worn-out shoes or anything too casual. You want support and style.

·         Jewelry: Less is more. One statement piece, such as a quality watch or necklace, goes farther than piles of accessories.

Casual Success and Industry Differences

Not every career calls for a suit and tie. But even in casual or creative industries, there’s a version of dressing well.

·         Tech and startups: Here, the emphasis is on clean, minimal clothing. Dark jeans, well-fitted T-shirts or polos, and stylish sneakers or leather boots. Think Mark Zuckerberg with better shoes and a tailored hoodie.

·         Creative fields: You can express your style more freely yet with targeted intention. Bold glasses, interesting patterns, or vintage pieces are welcome, but they should still look polished.

·         Real estate, sales, and hospitality: Dress like the people you’re trying to attract. Selling luxury condos? Look like you can afford one. High-end clients expect high-end presentation.

Designer Brands and Subtle Signals

You don’t have to wear designer labels to be taken seriously. But brands do serve as status symbols in some circles. If you’re going to invest, know which names speak volumes.

·         Menswear: Tom Ford®, Zegna®, Canali®, Hugo Boss®, Brioni®. These are not cheap, but they last and send a message. You don’t need multiple suits, just 3 with perfect tailing.

·         Womenswear: Max Mara®, Theory®, Michael Kors® (higher-end line), and Chanel® accessories. Even a scarf or belt from a luxury brand can elevate your entire look.

·         Watches and accessories: A Rolex®, Omega®, Cartier®, or TAG Heuer® watch is often noticed before your suit. Patek Phillipe® is respected in NYC whilst those in LA might prefer an oddball timepiece such as Alain Silberstein®. Bell and Ross® might stike the fancy of the Oregon crowd. If you are dealing with Native-Americans or someone with an indigenous lifestyle you might want to forgo the watch and let it be known that natural sense of time and intuition is an important value for you. Those in the know, know!  They will appreciate a shared interest in brands. I once met a gangster at Glam Slam in Minneapolis and his favorite quote was: “Nobody knows what the nose knows”. Don’t flash unless your genre requires it; let them discover.

Dressing Smart Isn’t Always About Spending

Polite society appear affluent as they dress with intent, not flash. They wear tailored clothes, neutral colors, and clean shoes.

A navy blazer, gray dress pants, white shirt, and leather shoes will carry you far. Add a good watch and keep yourself well-groomed, and you’ll look like you belong in every room you walk into.

The Law of Attraction Works Best for the Successful and Wealthy—Here’s Why (And How You Can Harness It Too)

The Law of Attraction—the belief that like attracts like, and that positive or negative thoughts bring corresponding experiences into one’s life—has been a buzzword in personal development circles for decades. But here’s a truth most people won’t say out loud: the Law of Attraction seems to work better for those who are already succeeding, already wealthy, and already living life on their terms. Is it magic? Is it luck? Or is there a deeper mechanism at play?

Success Breeds Belief—and Belief Attracts More Success

At the heart of the Law of Attraction is belief. When you truly believe something is possible, your thoughts, emotions, and actions align with that belief. People who are already successful have one huge advantage: they have proof. They’ve seen their ideas come to life, watched investments pay off, and witnessed goals become reality. That evidence fuels their confidence, which in turn strengthens their vibration—or “energetic frequency”—as the Law of Attraction community would say.

Compare that to someone who’s struggling. Doubt creeps in. Self-talk becomes negative. They try to “manifest” success, but deep down, they’re not convinced it’s coming. That doubt weakens the signal, making it harder to attract what they want.

Wealth Amplifies the Law

Wealth also creates the perfect environment for the Law of Attraction to thrive. When you're financially secure, you're less stressed, more open to creativity, and better able to say yes to opportunities. You’re operating from a place of abundance, not scarcity—and that’s a massive energetic shift.

Successful people often have better networks, more resources, and greater influence. These amplify the effects of attraction, making their visions materialize faster and easier.

But Here's the Good News: You Can Harness It Too

You don’t need a million-dollar bank account to start making the Law of Attraction work in your life. But you do need to shift into the mindset that the successful already have. Here’s how:

1. Act As If

Start behaving and making decisions like the person you want to become. Dress a little sharper. Speak with more confidence. Visualize your day as if your goals are already achieved. This sends a signal to your subconscious—and to the universe—that you're ready.

2. Eliminate Scarcity Language

Replace "I can't afford that" with "How can I make that possible?" Scarcity words lower your frequency. Speak abundance—even if it hasn’t shown up yet.

3. Surround Yourself with Winners

Energy is contagious. Spend time around people who are achieving more than you. Their belief will rub off on you. Their habits, mindset, and standards will elevate yours.

4. Create Evidence for Your Mind

Celebrate small wins. Keep a success journal. Document your manifestations. The more you prove to yourself that your thoughts shape your reality, the easier it becomes to believe—and belief is the engine behind attraction.

5. Be Grateful Now

Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good exercise—it’s a vibrational powerhouse. When you’re thankful for what you already have, you’re telling the universe: “I’m open for more of this.” Gratitude shifts your frequency instantly.

1. Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX):

   • Elon Musk, the real-life Iron Man, digs deep into focusing on goals. He's not spelling out the Law of Attraction, but Musk believes in setting intentions and visualizing success. It's like sending a Tesla to the universe and waiting for it to come back with stellar results.

2. Richard Branson (Virgin Group):

   • Sir Richard Branson, the man behind the Virgin empire, is all about that positive vibe. He's big on keeping a can-do attitude and staying optimistic. The mindset is his secret sauce to tackling the business universe.

3. Oprah Winfrey (OWN, Harpo Productions):

   • Oprah Winfrey, the queen of media, doesn't just talk about intention and positive thinking; she lives it. She's all about manifesting success, aligning her journey with the Law of Attraction principles as she builds her media kingdom.

4. Steve Jobs (Apple):

   • Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple, may not have used the Law of Attraction lingo, but his intense focus and ability to visualize design concepts scream positive thinking in action. He didn't just see iPhones; he saw revolutions.

5. Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway):

   • Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha, doesn't just play the numbers. He's into the power of a positive mindset and the long game. While not shouting about the Law of Attraction, his patient and optimistic approach aligns with its vibes.

6. Sara Blakely (SPANX):

   • Sara Blakely, the force behind SPANX, credits part of her success to visualization and positive thinking. She's not just shaping her brand; she's shaping her reality, proving that belief in possibilities can reshape industries.

7. John Assaraf (NeuroGym):

   • John Assaraf, the entrepreneur in the mindset game, is all about using the Law of Attraction to score big. He's helping others align their thoughts and goals, proving that a powerful mindset can unlock entrepreneurial doors.