Delegation Resource Manual: Month by Month Implementation Guide
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YMCA PA Youth & Government Program
Activity (Personal Appearance): Dress for Success
Prep: Magazines, Lots of Newsprint, Scissors, Glue Sticks,
Welcome!
Pass out magazines to groups of 3-4. Have them tear out/cut out images of women that they think
look successful—however you might define that. Post the images on newsprint. Post them around
the room.
How do you define success?
Do you think the way you look/dress has anything to do with the level of success you can/will
achieve?
Can anyone give me an example of someone whose attire fits their status, profession, public image
successfully? How about an example of someone who doesn’t project the image that she should?
(Be nice! We’re talking celebrities, dignitaries, etc.)
Are different types of attire suitable and successful for some people but not for others? (Give
examples—athletes wear sports clothes, movie stars wear provocative gowns and clothes, teachers
wear conservative clothing, government officials wear suits.)
Whose attire do we/you most often imitate? Is it your choice and do you feel that you are pushed
into wearing certain things by others, marketing, etc.?
Speaking of clothes, pair up with someone who is wearing the same color shirt as you.
--Discuss for a moment what type of image you think you project now, based on the way that you
dress on an average day.
Pair up with someone who wears the same shoe size as you.
--Discuss for a moment what some of your goals are for your life. Where do you see yourself going
and accomplishing in the next 10-20 years?
--Do you think that your current image suits your goals? Do you think that you dress to achieve the
success you want in life?
Have a seat.
I’m not here to tell any of you that you need to change the way you look on a daily basis or that I
want you to all dress like little (insert name of facilitator) clones (that would be scary). But, there are
times that you and I need to project an image to match our desired role or outcome.
