"Always wear expensive shoes. People notice"
About this Quote
Footwear is a quiet resume. Brian Koslow, a business coach known for practical advice on personal branding and executive presence, compresses a strategy of signaling into a single line. Shoes sit at the intersection of function and display; they are among the first details people register, and they often reveal more than a suit or a watch. Scuffed, flimsy shoes suggest neglect, while sturdy, well-crafted ones signal care, discernment, and resources. People use these cues to form fast judgments, and research in social psychology shows that observers can infer surprising traits from shoes alone, including status and conscientiousness.
"Expensive" should be read as shorthand for quality and intention. Price is not virtue, but well-made footwear looks and behaves differently. The leather holds a polish, the stitching is clean, the silhouette is balanced, and the shoes keep their shape across time. Those small markers aggregate into a broader impression: if you manage the details you control, you are more likely to manage the responsibilities you are given. In sales, interviews, and negotiations, that halo effect matters.
There is also a cultural truth at work. Shoes occupy a symbolic role as a foundation. They meet the ground, carry the weight, and complete a look. People glance down, often without realizing it, and the last thing they see can become the first thing they remember. Koslow is not advocating ostentation; garish logos and trend-chasing can backfire. He is pointing to a reliable investment in your reputation: choose quality, keep it maintained, and let consistency speak.
The advice has an ethical angle too. Appearances are not substance, but they are part of the social contract. Respecting someone else’s time and attention includes presenting yourself with care. When resources are limited, aim for the best you can maintain, not the most you can buy. The principle holds: details matter, and people notice.
"Expensive" should be read as shorthand for quality and intention. Price is not virtue, but well-made footwear looks and behaves differently. The leather holds a polish, the stitching is clean, the silhouette is balanced, and the shoes keep their shape across time. Those small markers aggregate into a broader impression: if you manage the details you control, you are more likely to manage the responsibilities you are given. In sales, interviews, and negotiations, that halo effect matters.
There is also a cultural truth at work. Shoes occupy a symbolic role as a foundation. They meet the ground, carry the weight, and complete a look. People glance down, often without realizing it, and the last thing they see can become the first thing they remember. Koslow is not advocating ostentation; garish logos and trend-chasing can backfire. He is pointing to a reliable investment in your reputation: choose quality, keep it maintained, and let consistency speak.
The advice has an ethical angle too. Appearances are not substance, but they are part of the social contract. Respecting someone else’s time and attention includes presenting yourself with care. When resources are limited, aim for the best you can maintain, not the most you can buy. The principle holds: details matter, and people notice.
Quote Details
| Topic | Witty One-Liners |
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