Why Impostor?

Impostor, as in Impostor Syndrome?

Well, yes. But far from just a tongue-in-cheek reference to the phenomenon, woven into the identity of Impostor is the idea that we can rethink, reframe, and maybe even reclaim our relationship with impostor syndrome. Especially as women. So, let's talk about it. 

As we emerged from the condescendingly monikered girl-boss era of the 2010s, we entered the 2020s with the onset of a global pandemic that undoubtedly created a massive shift in how we talk about mental health, and how we think about our relationship to work. It is our hope that as the world settles, we do not leave behind the lessons of an urgent need for more open dialogue around the challenges we each are facing, and how deeply intertwined these can be with our professional lives.

Impostor syndrome is a topic widely talked about, though rarely admitted to in the moments it is felt. When it is discussed, it is almost always something to be ‘overcome’ or ‘dealt with’. Without detracting from its negative psychological ramifications and the societal forces that underpin it, we want to recognize that is often an essential step on the path of ambition and achievement.

We believe that impostor syndrome is necessarily experienced, however fleetingly, by anyone who has achieved something beyond what they once thought themselves capable. These are the people, and especially women, we want to honour in our brand ethos; those who pursued growth in the face of challenging odds and nagging self-doubt. For as much as we all yearn to be fearless, we hold a far deeper respect for those that felt fear and anxiety about something, and then did it anyway.

Could there be an upside to impostor syndrome?

My personal reconsidering of impostor syndrome began while reading Adam Grant’s Think Again. He highlighted a correlation I had never considered, that those who self-reported feelings of impostor syndrome were also on average more competent than those who did not. Call it an inverse of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Impostor syndrome can be thus succinctly described as a gap between one's competence and confidence. Where those who experience impostor syndrome are (sometimes excessively) aware of their shortcomings, they are then able to take the necessary steps to learn how to overcome them. Impostors will often work harder, feeling they have to prove they belong where they are. The natural uncertainty derived from impostor syndrome is also shown to make people more considered, seek insights from others, and question in-built assumptions.

A gendered phenomenon, in cause and effect

If you have ever felt impostor syndrome, don’t worry - you’re in good company. A recent KPMG study found that 75% percent of female executives reported experiencing impostor syndrome at some point throughout their careers. Hell, Michelle Obama still feels it.

As we alluded to before, impostor syndrome manifests as a gap between one's confidence and their competence - and this phenomenon clearly affects women at greater rates. Women are far less likely to apply for a job or a promotion unless they meet 100% of the requirements, whereas men will feel comfortable applying if they satisfy 60%. Women are far less likely than men to negotiate the salary for job offers that they do receive.

Impostor syndrome is especially common among women in male dominated fields. This has very real causes, such as lack of female representation in leadership positions and often a greater disparity in mentorship opportunities for younger women. It is also reported to be felt most frequently in times of transition, such as in a new job or after a recent promotion, which are the times we need to be making the best impressions.

When impostor syndrome is at its most corrosive, it manifests itself as feelings of crippling self-doubt, unworthiness, fear of both failure and success, and even self-sabotage. This is why we believe it is so vital to discuss. This feeling is so pervasive and powerful, and distinctly disproportionate in its effect on women and minorities in the workplace. Openness, with those we trust, can allow us to receive unbiased feedback to check our irrational self-talk, a place for commiseration, or even just open the door to learning when we’ve correctly identified a gap in our knowledge that simply needs to be filled. The truth is, everyone feels this way from time to time, and there should be much, much less shame around that.

At last, what the hell does this have to do with clothing?

Or, why are we as a fashion company espousing such a philosophy in our name? Impostor syndrome is as deeply embedded in our wardrobes as that pile of free t-shirts from work events. From a young age, we become subconsciously aware of the codes that clothes carry. Whether these be discoveries of class signifiers or in-group items, our identities undoubtedly become wrapped up in what we wear - and as the famous Devil Wears Prada speech notes, whether we like it or not. In particular, the clothes we wear to work carry a special significance as these carry an external set of often unspoken standards and expectations. The clothes we wear to work project our professionalism, our status, and our belonging within the environment. It should be telling then, that the continued pinnacle of corporate professional dress is the suit; a garment staunchly rooted in historically men’s fashion.

Women’s expectations for dress in the workplace have always been more amorphous (read: confusing) than their male counterparts. This makes fitting into a dress code that was not built for you all the more challenging, and yes, can often induce feelings of impostorism. The easiest choice is to dress drab and blend in amongst the monotonous sea of black suits - however even here women face difficulties. Because the prevailing shapes of suits are based on male body types rather than female, many women are left unable to find anything that fits or flatters their body type. Manufacturers have attempted to address this by incorporating stretch materials into women’s suiting, which cheapens the look and feel of the garment, and reduces its longevity.

At Impostor, we wanted to bring a collection of professional garments with a distinctly feminine feel, and that allow the size flexibility and customizations to accommodate the diversity of women and their preferences. We make no compromises when it comes to quality, as we believe that a well-tailored garment is an investment that should last a lifetime.

We believe that all women deserve to feel confident in the workplace, and a step to getting there is recognizing that at some time or another, nearly all of us don't.