I happen to know several executives who perennially come in late for corporate functions and even for training sessions simply because they have to change clothes several times until they feel confident enough to get out.
How do we avoid falling into the same trap? Let me share some steps to take to develop more “savvy” in dressing up:
1. Know your best colors - When you feel really good after putting on a certain dress, take note of the color. Your glandular system just triggered a kind of a “blink” moment for you. You don’t know why, but it sure feels good.
A sure way of becoming more attuned to your best colors would be to “drape” yourself by placing a piece of fabric under your chin before a mirror to see if your face “lights up.” Your face should glow or sparkle if you put on your best colors.
2. Pay particular attention to the neckline of your blouse and the blending with your blazer. People usually notice your upper piece of clothing first.
3. Organize your accessories – The right choice of earrings or necklace could make your simple outfit stand out. On the other hand, the wrong choice of accessories could create an imbalance in your look.
A lady friend of mine decided to transition from corporate executive to management consultant. As a result, she had to store her suits in favor of business casual clothes. She also learned to match her accessories to her upper clothing. She had a session with me for a color assessment, and this helped her pick the right colors for her new outfits.
While common sense logic dictates that my friend should stick to the conservative or formal style of clothing, her individual style was clearly more feminine and elegant. This allowed her to express herself better, and she exuded more confidence during her business presentations.
If your organization provides uniforms for everybody, you can still maintain your individual style by wearing your preferred accessories, such as a set of pearl stud earrings with a pearl necklace or a pearl brooch. A sound suggestion would be to limit the number of accessories. You will look too “dressy” if you wear both the necklace and the brooch at the same time.
If you prefer a contrast in colors, you can also exchange the necklace or brooch with a shawl or a scarf. Just make sure that the shawl or scarf provides an attractive contrast to the color of your blazer or dress. For example, red and black or navy blue and white would be great contrasting colors.
Not all of us are gifted with long legs, so women with short legs can create an illusion of looking taller by wearing dark-colored slacks, ¾-sleeved blouses or dresses, and skirts with up to mid-knee or slightly below-the-knee hemlines.
Men, meanwhile, need to be careful about the length of their barongs or jackets. If they don’t have long legs, they need to make sure that the length of their upper clothing will not be more than one inch below their “walking line” or buttocks.
We don’t have to give up our own personality and individual style just to conform with the dress code set by our organizations. We can still find harmony with ourselves and our clothing by undergoing a color and style analysis with a certified image consultant.
If your closets are full of clothing that you no longer enjoy wearing, it could be because it does not fit your “best” colors and styles. It is about time to call for a professional closet analysis and to get a one-on-one personal style lesson – how and what to alter, what to look for, and how to put everything together for a terrific “look.”
You can also seek professional help with a professional personal shopper. Not only will you get new clothes that give a “lift” to your steps, but you will also learn how to see “new-for-me” possibilities in the stores.
photos courtesy of getty images and image bank
