How you dress has a big influence on how others assess you and your abilities, and can also affect how confident you feel about yourself and your work.
In this new economy, putting your best professional foot forward is more important than ever. Whether it’s in your current profession where you don’t want to be overlooked, an entrepreneurial career, or a new job interview you’re preparing for, looking good is your strongest opportunity for winning in the workplace. Research has shown that when well-groomed men and women are placed in identical situations with poorly-groomed men and women the well- groomed person got the job/promotion/pay increase date every time. Rather than take offense at this, you can take action and do something to increase your chances of success. When presenting yourself, your clothes are your silent but strongest partner. Here are some ideas to consider when creating a professional wardrobe that yields natural confidence and competence.
bring in some colour!
Colours have a powerful psychological effect on other people and can help you project yourself as you want to be seen by others. This important element of the wardrobe is absolutely free! It costs no more to buy a suit or top in a colour that makes you look amazing, as it does to buy one that drains you.
In a corporate setting, clothing criteria is more formal. Colours tend to be dark such as navy, black, charcoal grey and burgundy. Contrast these dark colours with light ones – a light-coloured blouse under a dark jacket will pull attention to your face. Your face is your best asset in business – it’s your communication centre, so it’s where you want people to focus.
When you wear colours that relate to your own colouring, you automatically hold people’s attention. Don’t underestimate the power of wearing a shade of green if your eyes are green, or wearing a brown jacket if your hair is brown. It makes you appear more approachable, credible and capable. If your workplace is more creative, wear more creative colour combinations or more variety of colours. Choose colour wisely, and consider calling me to have a professional colour analysis done.
grooming
A well-groomed woman speaks loudly in the workplace. Her appearance sends the message that she’ll take care of details and get the job done. Polished, natural makeup makes you look professional and productive. Invest in good quality makeup and make sure your foundation matches your skin. Consider booking a professional makeup lesson with Kit Hall at Babet to shop for the best products and learn how to apply them. Otherwise make an appointment with a brand such as Bobby Brown, who specializes in natural-looking makeup, in a department store. Get your hair coloured and cut regularly in a good salon. It does not pay to scrimp on a good haircut! I thoroughly recommend Joe’s Salon in London’s Burlington Arcade (http://www.joessalon.co.uk). Joe Mehmet will give you a fantastic cut and Dan Rice is an amazing colourist. Dan also offers the latest Brazilian system in hair-straightening which is perfect for those who need to tame unruly frizz and struggle to find the time each morning to get their hair looking its best.
Well-groomed hands are definitely a must! Scraggy cuticles and bitten nails detract from everything else. If you struggle to get yours growing I recommend having professional biosculpture gel. It looks like nail polish but lasts for 3-4 weeks and acts to coat and protect your nails, helping them to grow. It is available at most good salons, including Nails Inc, who call it the 3-week manicure. Light nail polish is great for a fresh, healthy nail look, but if it’s appropriate for your position try out one of the new bright spring colours.
is your work wardrobe a winning one? get a second opinion!
Over the years the workplace has become more casual, but in these times it wouldn’t hurt anyone to take his or her wardrobe up a notch. Appearances count, not only in first impressions but also in ongoing interactions.
If you’re wondering how to ensure you’re looking your best, don’t hesitate to call me to help you find the best colours and wardrobe for you and what you need to project of yourself. You can count on me to make your appearance your best asset! For more information about the services I offer visit www.babetstyle.co.uk, or to enquire about my availability please call me on 020 7193 8956, or send an email to info@babetstyle.co.uk.
