As the New Year begins, people interested in improving their appearance wonder whether working with an image consultant or stylist will help them achieve their goal. Before making that determination, there are a few key things to know ahead of time. The most important thing is to first know your goals, as this will have a lot to do with the kind of professional you choose to work with.
We all know that the best thing about rules is that they are meant to be broken. They can even be stretched and modified. One of my key objectives when consulting clients is laying out parameters that help them understand, visualize, shop, and dress in accordance with their personal style. For my clients, establishing these style parameters give us a tangible framework to refer back to when evaluating colors, textures, fabrics, fits, shapes, lines, and designs of clothing and accessories, as well as seeing new ways to update hairstyles.
Not a week goes by that either clients or readers of my blog suggest that I write a book about style. Having previously written the Style column for the Metro Silicon Valley for two years prior to launching my blog, the notion of writing a book on personal style is one that I’ve been toying around with for some time now. And, I think the time has come.
As I warm up my writing chops, I’m determined to take a completely fresh approach by writing about style that would make a difference to the community in which I live and work.
Continue reading
A colleague wanted my opinion about wearing open neck dress shirts and t-shirts in a business casual work environment. Rather than just sharing my thoughts privately, I decided to publish them publicly. To support my comments, I have photos of wardrobe items I selected only last week for a client that illustrate the subtle nuances of dressing successfully in today’s modern business environment.
That’s right. You can literally drop pounds instantly by just getting your clothing tailored. If you look more full-bodied than you should in your clothes, it may be because of your how your clothes are fitting. When your clothes visually add pounds to your appearance, you are experiencing a situation I refer to as visual bulk. Visual bulk can weigh down how you look, and adversely affect your non-verbal communication, including the appearance of your posture and body language.
Why is purging our closets always so damned painful. I think it has a lot to do with something I call The Certainty Factor.
The Certainty Factor is a principle based on variables of knowledge and confidence. It’s hard to let go of possessions if you don’t know what you’re replacing them with – even if you know that what you’re holding onto could be replaced with something better. If you don’t have the new and improved yet, why let go what you have?
I love socks. In fact, I confess that I’m so inspired by the socks in my collection that choosing an outfit for the day is sometimes built around which socks I have selected. Anyone who always wears plain socks will not see any inspiration from this idea. But anyone daring enough to wear colorful socks will see the brilliance of it.
Over the past twenty years as an image consultant, people have often asked me what are the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to their personal iamge. So, in the spirit of helping you and your friends start 2011 on the right foot, here’s a list of the 7 biggest mistakes people constantly make. It’s really important to know what these mistakes are because , if you are making them yourself, I can consult with you and help show you a better way to see yourself and look authentically your best and mistake free.
Black Friday. It’s that day after Thanksgiving that is an American shopping tradition for millions of shoppers. Some greet it with excitement, and others with dread. So I thought you might like to get some shopping tips from a pro on how to shop like a pro on Black Friday and get the most out of this crazy day when you and millions of your closest strangers are vying for the same products, customer service, and parking spaces.
No matter how successful you all ready are, paying close attention to your personal brand can help you realize your goals and aspirations. Maintaining your personal brand is vital to the effectiveness you experience in your work, at your home, and in your community. At the core of others’ interactions with you is whether they buy into your personal brand. Are you consistently expressing your brand message?
The notion of consistency sounds like a lot of work. So why bother?