Page 229 www.ijiras.com | Email: contact@ijiras.com International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS) Volume 3 Issue 12, November 2016 ISSN: 2394-4404 The Relationship Between Clothes And First Impressions: Benefits And Adverse Effects On The Individual Joana Akweley Adotey Tamale Polytechnic, School of Applied Sciences, Department of Fashion Design and Modelling, Tamale Polytechnic, Tamale, NR Elizabeth Obinnim Ho Polytechnic, Faculty of Art and Design, Head of Department (HOD) and Lecturer, Department of Fashion Design and Textiles, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana Ninette A. Pongo University of Education, Winneba College of Technology Education, Kumasi, Lecturer - Department of Fashion Design and Textiles Education, Kumasi, Ghana I. INTRODUCTION It is never possible to wear clothes without transmitting some form of signal. Substantial research has established the significance of first impressions and at the same time examining a diversity of circumstances that contribute to their formation. For example, Naumann et al. (2009), found that factors ranging from clothing style to posture, play a vital role in how impressions are formed. Morris (1977) affirms that „every costume tells a story, often a very subtle one, about its wearer‟ (p. 213). As Ngo & Smith (2013) rightly points out, clothing preserves history embraces traditions and connects many generations collectively. Possessing the ability to communicate non-verbally, clothing conveys an image and transmits some message regarding its wearer to observe. Consequently, clothing can create first impressions for onlookers. Anytime we meet someone; we form first impressions. First impressions are all initial evaluations based on nonverbal communication signals. A range of investigations conducted by Willis & Todorov (2006) shows that it takes approximately about a tenth of a second to form an opinion of a stranger‟s appearance and that not even prolonged can substantially alter those impressions. In a flicker of an eye, people take an insignificant sample of an individual and believe it represents 100 percent of their personality. They then decide based on that to trust them, like them or want to maintain interaction with them. Research has confirmed that people make a comparatively accurate assessment based on rapid observations of less than half a minute (Nauert 2009). An individual must demonstrate they are honest, trustworthy or decent with nonverbal communication (in this instance Abstract: Because light travels quicker than sound, people are seen before they are heard. That is why, even before a person utters a word their appearance tells a much about them in terms of their competence, perceived level of intelligence, affability, self-esteem, self-confidence, success, authority and beliefs. This qualitative study aims at exploring the basis on which people form first impressions of personalities they meet based on their clothes. A total of 31 respondents were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was collected through interviews. The results of the study indicated that people form first impressions based on their moral inclinations, economic, non-conformance to current fashion, health, fashion changes and much more. The investigation supported findings of earlier studies that clothing and first impressions are related. Keywords: First impression, clothing, fashion