I’ve come across so many people who fail to see the connection between what they wear and how they perform. But if you don’t care about how you look, or if you don’t feel good about what you’re wearing, it’s impossible to project confidence and credibility in the workplace.

In my work as a personal image consultant, I offer two services to help busy professionals with this vital piece of the personal branding puzzle.

Image Consulting Through My Private Stylist and Men of Style

For some people, choosing what to wear is easy. They know what styles and colors look good on them and how to dress to stand out. For others, this process can be an exercise in extreme frustration. They don’t even know what their body shape is, let alone how to coordinate separates, wear color, or style outfits.

My Private Stylist and Men of Style are personal styling services aimed at helping these people to understand fit, color, styling and how different garment elements work on their bodies.

These are one-on-one, head-to-toe styling services that cover over 660 garment elements and accessories in over 40 categories. You input your measurements, I take that information and walk you through dress shapes, collar types, sleeve length, fabric weight, and color. This will help you learn how to coordinate separate pieces into outfits that allow you to stand out, feel confident, and move forward in your career.

Bespoke Clothing Through Tailored Club

Some are not able to buy off the rack for their body shape and have to have clothing custom made. In this case, Tailored Club is an excellent option. They make 100% bespoke clothing: that means that whatever you buy is designed, tailored and manufactured for your specific measurements.

Even if you don’t have issues finding clothes that fit you, investing in sophisticated work attire will help you gain the respect of your colleagues, clients, and higher-ups. Yes, custom clothing costs a little more, but that extra expense ensures higher quality and a great fit. When your clothes fit you correctly, you become more confident, credible, and capable.

Tailored Club makes everything from jeans to suits to tuxedos, skirts, dresses, and button-up shirts. If you can dream it up, they can make it for you. Through Tailored Club, I help you design your clothes from the buttons to the stitching to the fabrics and more. Tailored Club manufactures their clothing in Thailand using materials from all over the world. This allows them to offer multiple price points.

Which of These Services is Right for You Questionnaire

A Perfect Gift for the Holidays

MPS and Tailored Club gift cards make excellent gifts for just about anyone. Whether you’re buying for a recent college graduate in need of his first business suit, a person who’s had a significant weight change and could use a few new outfits, or someone looking to move up the career ladder and build a wardrobe that reflects their aspirations, either of these platforms has something to offer.

If you’re interested in learning more about My Private Stylist, Men of Style or Tailored Club, contact me today.

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire is a step up from your everyday business casual look. It’s appropriate for after-work parties, most art events, and some weddings. Men do well in classic black or navy suits, and can even have fun with patterned shirts and ties. Women can wear cocktail dresses and needn’t worry about a minimum or maximum length, though they should keep office-standards in mind if the event is work-sponsored or they’re bound to run into colleagues.

Semi-Formal Attire

You can expect this dress code at events like office Christmas parties, gallery openings, and some weddings. It’s less formal than black tie but more formal than cocktail attire. Women can generally wear cocktail dresses as long as they fall no more than an inch above the knee. Men can pair a nice sports coat with a great pair of slacks, vest, and tie. If the event takes place after 6 PM, suits should be wool, polyester or gabardine. Women should focus on fabrics like taffeta, chiffon, velvet, satin, cashmere, and silk.

Formal Attire

This dress code causes the most confusion, especially for men, but it’s straightforward. If the invitation says “Black Tie Optional” then you have a choice: you can go in a tuxedo or wear a suit. That doesn’t mean that you show up in the same old dark suit you inherited from your father twenty years ago; it means you wear something that fits your body correctly. Whether you’re at a business casual lunch or a formal wedding, no one will recognize the merit of your suit if it doesn’t fit correctly, even if it cost a small fortune. So, get it tailored!

For women, formal attire generally means a long gown. If you don’t own a gown or don’t want to wear one, you can opt for a beautiful pantsuit, but make sure to dress it up with accessories.

White Tie

A white tie dress code requires the most formal outfit and doesn’t allow a lot of room for personal style, though you can opt to wear a black or navy tail-coat with matching trousers. However, your shirt must be a white wing-collared dress shirt and you must wear a bow tie and cuff links. For women, white tie affords a bit more latitude. All formal gowns are acceptable, regardless of color.

Preparation is Everything

If your event is happening immediately after work, you’ll want to prepare well in advance and bring whatever you need to the office with you. This might mean a complete change of clothes or simply a different jacket, shoe, tie or dress. Women should remember to update their makeup and swap out the bulky every-day purse for a small clutch.

Pick up my FREE download

9 Things You Should Know When Invited to an Event

A little forethought is all it takes to stand out in the right way and allow your personal brand to shine. If you’re interested in stepping up your look for the next special event, contact me to see how a personal image consult can help.

Remember, you’re attending these events with your colleagues, employees, higher-ups, and possibly even clients. That is why it’s so important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and watch how you behave. This doesn’t mean you can’t let loose and have fun. Just follow these social etiquette rules to ensure that you don’t say or do something you’ll regret come Monday morning.

Dress Appropriately for the Event

Just because a party is happening after hours or on the weekend doesn’t mean you get to throw all of your basic wardrobe rules out the window. Creating a personal brand identity requires that you pay attention to how you’re presenting yourself at all times. In my last post, Personal Brand Management: Summer Wardrobe, I offered several tips on how to dress appropriately as the weather gets warmer, and specific advice for how to adjust your outfit when going directly from work to an office event.

In general, if your office is business formal, dressing down to business casual for a party should be fine. If you’re attending an outdoor event, shorts and short-sleeved button downs for men are acceptable, as are dresses (with appropriate bust and hemlines) for women. However, if you’re unsure about dress code, check with the event organizers.

Eat and Drink in Moderation

When it comes to alcohol and work events, less is always more. The more you drink, the more likely you are to say something you’ll regret later, use foul language, or reveal sensitive information. If you’re someone who doesn’t do well with alcohol, avoid it outright. Otherwise, stick to a strict two-drink maximum.

If food is served, feel free to enjoy yourself but keep the rules of proper dining etiquette in mind. Eat with your mouth closed, don’t load your plate simply because the food is free, and use your utensils correctly.

Talk About Something Other Than Work

I recently attended a retirement party for a former colleague and every single conversation I overheard was about work! Not only were these conversations incredibly dull but they included a lot of inappropriate nitpicking about co-workers and complaining about the office culture. I wanted to tell people to stop it!

Work events are supposed to be fun, so leave the work talk at the office and have a conversation about anything else. People love to talk about themselves. Ask your colleagues questions about their kids, their summer vacation plans, or their hobbies. When they answer, be present. Put your phone away and have a civil conversation with the person standing in front of you.

When it’s your turn to talk, let people know who you are outside of work. Do you like to hike, camp, boat, ride bikes? Being authentic will help you facilitate connections and create alliances that lead to better communication and higher morale back at the office.

Pick up my FREE download

Etiquette Tips for Office Social Events

If you have a work event coming up and you’re unsure about how to dress or nervous about how to behave, contact me today to see how working with a professional image consultant can help.

]]> https://dstebbing.opalstacked.com/blog/company-events/feed 0 https://dstebbing.opalstacked.com/blog/personal-brand-management https://dstebbing.opalstacked.com/blog/personal-brand-management#respond Tue, 12 Jun 2018 19:43:35 +0000 https://dawnstebbing.com/?p=1619 Read More]]> Creating a personal brand identity in the workplace starts with consistently looking your best, regardless of the season. Just because summer is upon us, it doesn’t mean you get to throw your carefully curated wardrobe out the window and start wearing shorts and flip-flops to work.

A friend of mine recently sent me some pictures of people at her office. I was shocked to discover one of the gals was wearing a flimsy camisole with no jacket over it. Not only was she showing a lack of concern for her personal brand, but she also hadn’t given much thought to her work environment.

Summer Wardrobe Best Practices

The primary difference between our winter and summer wardrobes is that our summer outfits tend to use more color. However, too many people make the mistake of thinking that warmer temperatures mean that they can wear less clothing to the office. Even in the most casual, corporate cultures, there are typically some rules. Make sure you know the policy and always consider it when planning your outfits.

Remember that leggings, tank-tops, and flip-flops are never appropriate work attire, even when it’s hot outside. Shorts aren’t a good idea either unless your office specifically says they’re OK. If you are allowed to wear shorts, make sure that yours are well-tailored, hemmed and an appropriate length. Capris are generally fine, as are polos, khakis, and lighter weight dresses with work-appropriate hemlines.

If your office allows sleeveless shirts, please remember to pay attention to your grooming needs. Nobody in your office wants to see (or smell) what’s under your arms! Also, remember that though it may be warm outside, your office is going to be pumping the AC all summer long, so keep a neutral sweater or blazer in your cubicle at all times.

Dressing for The Whole Day

Summer brings longer days, warmer weather and plenty of opportunities for socializing after work. When planning your outfit in the morning, make sure you have a sense of your entire day. If you know you’re headed to an event straight from the office, plan your outfit accordingly. The key is understanding the type of event you’re attending, so you can make sure to bring an appropriate change of clothing.

Dressing down a work outfit can be as simple as swapping heels for flats or throwing a jean jacket on over whatever you wore to the office. For men, you may only need to shed your suit jacket, take off your tie and roll up your sleeves. If you’re going from the office to a picnic or pool party, you’ll want to bring a change of clothes.

If you get a last-minute invitation somewhere, remember, it’s always better to be a little overdressed than underdressed. Creating a brand for yourself is significant. Your personal brand follows you everywhere you go.

Are you unsure about how to dress for work this summer? If so, contact me today to see how working with a professional image consultant can help you look and feel your best all year long.

Pick up my FREE Download

Summer Business Casual Guidelines

I recently started working with a young woman who’s in advertising. One of the first questions I asked her was what she generally wears to the office. She told me that she goes to the gym most mornings and so she often ends up wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt to work.

My jaw dropped when she told me this, but she explained that it’s what everyone does at her office. I asked her how she felt about wearing gym clothes to work every day and she told me she hadn’t thought about it too much. “When I first started working there,” she said, “I dressed up a lot but at some point, I just adopted the dress code I saw everyone else following. Now, I’m on wardrobe auto-pilot.”

Casual Does Not Mean Sloppy

This client sought me out because she was beginning to sense a lapse in her productivity. When she told me what she was wearing every day, I wasn’t surprised. She was going to the office in pajamas! Of course, she didn’t feel like accomplishing anything.

Even in casual corporate cultures such as advertising, tech, and entertainment, if your goal is to get ahead, you should be putting on outfits that communicate “Here I am. I’m a leader.” Not “Here I am. I’m comfortable. And I’d rather be at the gym.”

If your office is casual, you can still step it up a notch without being too formal. Conversely, even if you work in banking or in the legal field, don’t be afraid of adding a great piece of colorful jewelry or a unique tie to your outfit. Standing out is the key to getting ahead.

Leaders Look Like Leaders

I know this is going to hurt some of you to read, but leaders don’t wear jeans and t-shirts unless, through their leadership, they’ve created an entire industry where jeans and t-shirts are acceptable work attire. Steve Jobs didn’t start wearing his uniform of black jeans and sweater until he had perfected a product that everyone in the world wanted. At that point, it didn’t matter how he dressed.

Look at Mark Zuckerberg. As soon as he started meeting with politicians and influencers, he began to dress up. He decided he had aspirations beyond Facebook and he knew he had to take his wardrobe up a notch.

Your Look Communicates Your Power

It’s very simple: when you pay attention to your appearance and your grooming, you send the signal to others that you are powerful. Taking care of the details of your look communicates that you take care of the details of your business and that will win you respect.

It isn’t always easy. If you’re someone who is naturally introverted, the idea of drawing attention to yourself with your wardrobe might be terrifying. But unless you’re willing to look and act the part, even if you have the leadership qualities and skills necessary for advancement, you’re going to be passed over every single time.

Unsure if you are making the right wardrobe choices?

Take my FREE quiz to find out.

Are You Sabotaging Your Career with Poor Wardrobe Choices Quiz

If you’re ready to stop blending in and start standing out, let’s talk! Click HERE to connect with me one-on-one. You can also visit my personal page at MyPrivateStylist.com  for information on how a wardrobe overhaul can change your life!

They have clothes with the tags still on them, clothes they haven’t touched in months (or even years); accessories they’ve never worn a single time. They complain about not having any money or that their husbands are continually nagging them to clean out the closet.

If you’re someone who consistently shops but still complains about having nothing to wear, you may have a closet problem.

The problem isn’t that your closet is disorganized (although it may be), the problem is that you’ve been staring into your closet for so long that you’ve lost perspective. You don’t even know what’s in there anymore.

As your Personal Brand Strategist, I can help you get that perspective back by showing you the unique treasures that have been hiding in plain sight.

Shop Your Home Boutique

When I walk into someone’s house, it’s like I’m walking into a brand-new boutique full of unique jewelry, accessories, clothing, and shoes.

We look at everything the client owns and together we discover new ways of using what is already there. I will help by mixing and matching pieces to create outfits they might have never considered.

I was working with a woman a few weeks ago whose closet was full of black clothes. In her case, this wasn’t a bad thing. She looked good in black, and as a retiree, she could afford to keep her personal brand simple.

However, she had tons of color in her accessories. She just wasn’t wearing any of it. Why? Because she wasn’t sure about how to mix and match. She didn’t know which necklace looked best with which neckline or when to swap a piece of jewelry for a scarf. I started pulling accessories from out of her closet and showed her multiple different outfits that worked with each one.

Make the Most of Your Wardrobe

If you wear the same two or three pieces to the office every day, I can understand how you may get bored with them. The solution to this boredom is not to go out and buy a ton of new items. The answer is to get more out of the pieces you already own by matching them up with different accessories.

[bctt tweet=”If you’re someone who consistently shops but still complains about having nothing to wear, you may have a closet problem.” username=”dawnstebbing”]

This might mean pairing your favorite black dress with those colorful heels you’ve only worn once since buying them a year ago. Or maybe a different jacket or even a hat.

For some people, this can feel like a significant undertaking, especially if you don’t know how to mix and match or if, like so many women I know, you’re afraid of wearing color.

I can teach you how to substantially upgrade your wardrobe and appearance without ever leaving the house.

How a Personal Brand Strategist Can Help

I’ve been working to help clients shop their home boutiques for years, and they’re consistently amazed to discover how versatile their existing wardrobes are.

I’m not a closet organizer, so what I won’t do is come to your home, clean out your closet and develop an organizing system to keep you on track.

What I will do, is help you look at the closet you have with fresh eyes. You can stop wasting money on clothes you don’t need, might not like, and may never wear.

Not sure if you need help in your closet? Pick up my FREE download

5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Out if You Could Use

Help Solving Your Closet Problem

If you’re ready to move up in the world, let’s talk. Your personal appearance can have a significant impact on everything in your professional life. Click HERE to connect with me directly.

Do you struggle with how to dress for your age? If you do, just know that you are not alone. Not too long ago I received an email from a woman who felt very frustrated with her appearance. She wrote something along the lines of this:

“Dawn, I’m only 51 but people think I’m at least 60 and it’s because of my clothing. I never feel like I’m put together, I hate everything in my closet and I never have anything to wear. Help! How can I dress my age but still look great?”

This is a good question – and one that I get frequently. How can you dress in a way that’s very professional and clean, but still expresses your personality? And more importantly – matches your age!

Well, I happen to have a few tips to offer in this arena. Read on for more.

Tip #1: Accept Your Age

I hate to have to say this, but the sooner you accept who you are today and appreciate where you are in life the sooner you’ll be able to put together a wardrobe that really helps you shine.

One of the biggest mistakes I see women make with their clothing choices is to try and dress too young. I understand why people do this – because there is so much social pressure to look young and hip – but dressing a decade too young will always backfire!

Tip #2: Consider Your Lifestyle

Someone who’s still climbing the corporate ladder will dress very differently than someone who is recently retired and planning to travel the world for 6 months. Let your lifestyle inform your wardrobe and you’ll never look (or feel) out of place!

Tip #3: Clothes Generally Don’t Age Well

Aside from the fact that it’s important to wear clothing appropriate to your age, it’s also crucial to remember that in general, clothing doesn’t age well!

So that paisley silk top that’s been sitting in your closet since the 90’s? It’s gotta go! If you really want to look up-to-date, the best way to do that is to regularly refresh your closet. Every month purchase a new item and discard an old one to keep things feeling fresh.

Tip #4: Choose a Place to Shop

Second-hand shops are great if you know what you’re looking for… but most people don’t! That’s why I recommend finding some go-to boutiques and stores where you know they’ll have clothing in your size and catered to your needs.

Tip #5: Get Help

If any of this feels overwhelming to you, find someone who can help you. Hire a stylist to take you shopping, help you identify what looks great on you and show you how to put together outfits that align with who you are, what you’re up to and where you want to go.

Would you like a little help in this arena? Let’s talk! Click HERE to connect with me one-on-one and find out how a wardrobe overhaul could make a huge difference in your life.

Not sure where to shop? Pick up my FREE download

Dawn’s Favorite Age-Appropriate Shops for Women 50+

Do you feel stressed out every time you open your bedroom closet? If so, you’re not alone. We all get busy and when we’re at our busiest, the closet is the first place to go. Why? Because it’s so easy to toss things into it, close the door and walk away.

Ten Ways to Easily Organize Your Closet

I know what it’s like to have a closet that is packed with clothes and yet constantly feel like you have nothing to wear. The good news is that having an organized closet is actually relatively easy.

The first step is to take an inventory of what’s already in there. To get your closet ready for next season, take a look around and ask yourself if you’re hoarding:

1. Anything that does not fit you right now
2. Anything you haven’t worn in more than 6 months
3. Clothes and accessories that are out of style
4. Clothes and accessories that are damaged
5. Empty or damaged hangers (or wire hangers from the dry cleaners)
6. Seasonal clothes in good condition
7. Exercise equipment
8. Pillows and blankets
9. Books
10. Paperwork

For items 1-3, donate to Goodwill. There are also a lot of thrift stores that will take damaged items. Just make sure to label the bag “recycle items” when you drop them off. Everything else gets stored in its proper place. Pack seasonal clothing and bedding in large under-bed storage containers. Put books on the shelf where they belong. Shred, file or digitize paperwork.

Having Trouble Getting Started?

For most of us, even though the actual work of organizing is simple, we have difficulty getting started. Why? Because getting organized is a surprisingly emotional endeavor.

We really have no idea how attached we are to our stuff until we try to throw some of it out. This is where I come in. As your coach, I can help you make decisions that you can’t (or won’t) make on your own. I can be the mediator between you and the voices in your head telling you to keep that blouse you haven’t worn in five years.

By working with me, you’ll finally be able to:

• Take the guesswork out of getting dressed every morning
• Save time so you’re not always late for work or that one important appointment
• Feel less stressed every time you open your closet door
• Shop your closet so you can stop spending hundreds of dollars on new clothes you don’t even need

The coaching I provide will help you feel better, look better, save time, and save money.  Also, you won’t want to avoid the closet every time you walk by!

Your personal appearance can have a huge impact on everything in your professional life. If you’re ready to elevate yourself let’s talk. Click HERE to connect with me directly.

7 Ways To Build Your ‘Executive Presence’ And Look Like a Pro

Have you ever noticed that people who “get lucky” in business often look fantastic, too? I’m not talking about natural beauty – although that doesn’t hurt – instead, I’m talking about looking the part.

They’re put together, they’re confident, their styles are up-to-date, and they look like they could handle anything.

Click here to get my Top 5 Favorite Blogs for Corporate Style Trends

Top 5 Blogs

Here’s a big lesson when it comes to Executive Presence: half the battle is just looking and acting the part. Your Executive Image is everything and will open doors for you in your professional and personal life. Whether you are dining our with other executives to preparing for a presentation, we can help.

Here are 7 tips to update your Executive Image this month

Tip #1: Always Be Prepared

Whether you’re gearing up for a day of interacting with your team, the boardroom, or speaking to a large convention, be prepared. When you’re prepared, you’re more confident in your speaking and your non-verbal communication as well.

Believe it or not, most people don’t prepare. They think, “I don’t have time to prepare for this, so I’ll wing it and see what happens.” Being prepared and polished can even include small things, like getting your nails done if you’re a female, and will always leave a more positive impression on your audience, no matter what you’re doing.

Tip #2: Know Your Audience

Connecting with your audience is everything – and when you go out into the world as a professional, everyone is your audience. The ability to fully understand what your audience is looking for and be able to speak to that is crucial.
 
For instance, if you’re going to speak to a group of construction workers, would you wear a three-piece suit? No, because they couldn’t connect with that. It won’t resonate with them. Coming in with a nice pair of jeans, a buttoned-up shirt and a blazer will make a much better impression.

Click here to get my Top 5 Favorite Blogs for Corporate Style Trends

Tip #3: Work on your Mindset

Approaching work with a positive mindset will make a world of difference in your career, and part of that is managing whether you allow other people or influences to affect your positive mood.
 
Believe me, there are many things and people who will try to sabotage your optimistic and can-do attitude. You might notice that a particular television show gets you down, or a certain friend or colleague is always talking poorly about others. Be mindful of where you place your energy and time, because those things will certainly have an influence on you!
 

Tip #4: Cultivate Correct Posture and Body Language

Your non-verbal communication speaks volumes about who you are and what you’re capable of – and it can make or break a first impression. And by the way, this encompasses the clothing and accessories that you choose!
 
Work on standing tall, looking people in the eye, and spreading happiness and joy wherever you go. No one wants to work with a downer!

Tip #5: Set Boundaries

Religion, sex and politics are off the table in a professional environment. Period. Now to be clear, I do believe in political involvement, but expressing strong political views in the workplace can seriously alienate you from your colleagues, so be careful when you’re in conversation with a colleague and it turns to politics.

This can be especially tricky now with the current political climate. Tempers are running high, and it’s challenging to have a conversation that doesn’t turn into a heated debate. One debate isn’t worth losing relationships over, so keep your cool and stay away from the political talk.

Tip #6: Mind Your Language

Your language and word choice go hand in hand with your non-verbal communication (in other words, if you walk into the room dressed sharp as a tack and open your mouth and start talking trash, your image will instantly tarnish).
 
Learn how to speak on a topic passionately without insulting others or diminishing your gravitas. Expressing passion is actually a powerful way to build your Executive Image, but only if it’s appropriately managed.

Tip #7: Believe in Yourself

When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you, too. It rarely goes the other way around, especially in an office environment. Confidence comes from the gut. Power comes from within, and when you tap into a sense of power and capability, people will like you, trust you and follow you anywhere.

BONUS TIP: Dress the Part

Our physical appearance speaks volumes to how we wish to be perceived. Wear clothing that fits properly, is modern and reflects your personality. Take care of your facial hair, your hands and your shoes and accessories. The better you cultivate your physical appearance, the more confident you’ll feel – and that can truly affect how you walk and talk and move through your day for the better!
 
If you’d like help crafting your Executive Presence so you can move up in your company, let’s talk.

Click HERE to connect with me directly and find out how we can overhaul your Executive Brand.

So you’re ready to move up the ladder.

Whether this means tossing your hat in the ring for a C-level position at a corporation, launching your own business or simply going for the next promotion in your organization, it’s important to think about how you represent yourself.

Many business people I meet think about everything but their appearance. They put energy and time into developing new skills, spiffing up their marketing materials and attending networking events.
 
These things are all important, but it’s also important to remember that the way you present yourself is paramount in establishing others’ perception of who you are and what you’re capable of accomplishing.
 
In fact, studies have shown “that nonverbal cues have over four times the impact on the impression you make than anything you say.”

Carol Kinsey Goman – Seven Seconds to Make a First Impression

This means that you can give yourself a serious upper hand if your appearance resonates with our cultural sense of what upper management should look like. If that feels overwhelming, read on for some quick tips to leverage your position in the work space.

Tip #1: Dress a Step Above

At the upper management level, it’s imperative that you present yourself as a step above the rest. Studies have shown that men who dress better earn more money and women who dress better are more easily able to ensure security in their work situation.

Cheryl Conner – Can Dressing Well Increase Your Income in 2013?

Now, with those statistics in hand, doesn’t it make sense to dress for the role you wish to achieve? Dressing the part of a C-level executive positions you as a C-level executive. It may feel a little funny at first, especially if you’re still working at a lower level, but don’t be afraid to stand out. After all, the role of upper management is to boldly lead the organization in a focused direction.

Tip #2: Connect the Dots

New clients often come to me and regret the fact that they have been overlooked in the past. They attest that they’re intelligent, they have all the skills they need for success in an advanced position and they have a great personality.

That may all be true, but if there is a disconnection between your fantastic abilities and the way you present yourself to the world, you can say good-bye to the upcoming promotion opportunity.

Putting care into your appearance means tasteful grooming, clothing that compliments your body and a presentation that is congruent with the company’s brand. For instance, an employee at Google in laid-back Southern California may be able to show up in a pair of sharp sneakers while an employee at JP Morgan in New York City would be ill advised to do the same.

Does your appearance match the company brand and culture? If so, you’re likely on your way toward a bigger salary.

Tip #3: Dress Your Age 

Looking age-appropriate is vital to success if you’re seeking to up-level your status in the company. It can feel tempting to pick up a too-tight pair of slacks at Nordstrom (and I’m sure they look great on you), but depending on your age, those slacks could make people think that you don’t really know yourself.

Ultimately, the goal in dressing yourself properly is to effortlessly match your unique personality with your goals. This can be a little more tricky than simply going to the mall and picking out a few items of clothing off the rack. If you’re ready to up your game and really step into the career you envision, let’s talk.

Contact me to speak with me one-on-one and find out how we can position you to land the promotion you’ve been eyeing.

Are your hips wider than your shoulders? Do you have a defined waist and a somewhat smaller bust? Then you’ve got a Triangle body shape, also known as “pear shape.”

Of course, there are plenty of variations within this shape. Look at your outline in the mirror. Thinner Triangles might be less curvy, more rectangular with less-defined waist and hips. Or you could have a little more weight around the middle, making you somewhat of an Oval (apple shape). We are all different, and your body will change throughout your life. So get to know your proportions! What do you like and what do you want to minimize? Engage our image consulting services for professional advice.

No matter what shape you have, your goal is to make your proportions look balanced. Balance is pleasing to the eye, and it will make you look and feel confident. For most Triangles, this means adding the illusion of width at the shoulders to balance with your hips.

Creating a balanced shape is fairly easy for Triangles: simply add width to the top. Shoulder pads will lift and square your shoulders. Larger collars, big lapels, boat-neck and off-the-shoulder tops all create width and structure, and lead the eyes upward toward your face.

Your biggest challenge is usually in the pants department. It can be tough to find a pair that fits your small waist and round hips. Rather than shopping endlessly in frustration, choose a pair that fit your hips and thighs well, and have them altered for your waist. Voila – the perfect pair of pants for your figure.

Tips on What to Wear and What Not to Wear with a Triangle Shape

What to wear: wide collars and shoulders, bright-colored tops to bring the eyes up to your face; boat necks and patterned tops; wide-legged pants and well-tailored bottoms in plain colors.

What to avoid: large handbags that sit at the hip; dropped shoulders; pleated, patterned or eye-catching pants; full skirts that hang from your widest area.

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You know that stereotype of the shopping-crazy woman? Often, it is completely false! For every woman I meet who loves shopping, there is another who absolutely dreads it.

In my book, The Power is In The Pearl, I explore some of the reasons shopping can be such a terrible experience. Before we get to them, let’s talk about why you should learn to love it: because a style that truly speaks your language is one of the most powerful tools any man or woman can wield.

I have never met a person who wouldn’t love to always look put-together, confident, approachable, yet totally professional. While a professional stylist can help you uncover your inner style icon, it’s also important that you learn exactly what it takes for you to walk out the door dressed head-to-toe like the person you believe you can be. For most of us, that process starts at the clothing rack. So, let’s look at why you might be dreading a shopping trip, and what you can do about it.

TOP 4 REASONS WHY MOST WOMAN HATE SHOPPING

Reason 1: you don’t know what you want.

This is probably the #1 reason for just about anyone who hates shopping. It’s okay to go shopping without knowing what you need. I frequently shop for clients, so I usually know exactly what I am looking for before I even step foot in the store. Even so, there are still times when I do not know exactly what I’m looking for, but I’ll know it when I see it.

Still, if you are frequently in this situation, it quickly gets fatiguing. Here working with a personal stylist can provide great help. My clients don’t give up as easily on the task at hand—finding new clothing—because I don’t let them.

Reason 2: you don’t want to deal with sales clerks.

Do you hate being shadowed by overeager salespeople, especially when you’re just browsing? This turns off many women who prefer a little extra time and space while shopping. The best way to deal with over-eager store employees is to be polite. Try saying this: “Thanks for asking, but I’m just browsing. If I need any help I’ll be sure to ask.” Be sure to get her name as well. Some clerks are paid on commission, and if she approached you first, she deserves to be mentioned when you check out.

Reason 3: nothing seems to fit quite right.

There are a number of reasons why clothes might not fit correctly. For instance, are you shopping the right shapes for your body type? Are you in the wrong section of the store (e.g. Petites, Women’s, Plus…) or even the wrong store altogether? Knowing what looks best on your frame will help quite a bit.

The most important, but also the possibly most forgotten, piece of advice I give to women is this: in order to get your clothes to fit properly, you will need to have your clothing tailored. Many women, and also men, don’t realize they can’t always just go into a store and find something to fit them perfectly.

I am not sure whom most clothes are designed to fit, but the patterns used to make clothing are not universally flattering. For instance, often I have tried on skinny jeans, thinking I could find a great pair. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a pair that looks good on me. They just are not made for my body shape.

But there is hope for your wardrobe. Tailors are easier to find than most people realize, and the value they contribute to your overall look is immense. It might cost you $15-20 to have your pants tailored to your body. The long answer, however, is this: when you think about how many times you’re going to wear those pants, tailoring is really one of the smartest investments you can make.

Reason 4: it takes too much time.

For many of us, the time investment required to browse through many different stores, looking for just the right thing, can be prohibitive. Luckily, online shopping is a good solution. Shopping online is great because each part of it can be done on your own time. You don’t have to worry about driving to the mall or a specific store, and you can try clothing on in the comfort of your own home. I particularly like to shop for swimsuits online.

Keep in mind retailers will often have more options available on their websites than in stores. If you are looking for plus sizes, additional pant lengths, or another color, be sure to check the boutique’s website. Many of my plus-size clients really enjoy shopping online because they don’t feel judged by fellow customers or store employees.

Still hate shopping?

Of course, the ultimate solution is to work with a professional stylist and/or a personal shopper. My career is built on a foundation of successful, stylish women who simply prefer to have professional guidance in crafting their unique looks. The value provided by an experienced professional can serve you very well indeed!