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Fashion =
Statements
Using=20
Accessories to Add Polish to Your Professional=20
Presence
By=20
Natalie Jobity, MBA,=20
=
AICI
![3D"Natalie](3D"http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs014/1101932153258/img/447.jpg?a=3D=) |
Natalie=20
Jobity
&n=
bsp; &nb=
sp; &nbs=
p; =
; =
=20
The=20
power of image in influencing first impressions =
is=20
unquestionable. As the saying goes, image is =
everything,=20
and in these uncertain economic times you want =
to be=20
assured your image is working for you with =
maximum=20
impact. Having an effective professional =
presence is=20
critical in today's competitive marketplace. You =
need to=20
do everything in your power to stay ahead of =
your=20
competition and your image is an asset you can =
manage=20
and control. A successful image is the linchpin =
to an=20
effective personal brand.
It=20
is helpful to think of your image as a =
"package". So=20
your image is everything that others see about =
you,=20
including of course what you are wearing, but =
also all=20
the other accent pieces that are part of your =
total=20
package. Last month we discussed key business=20
accessories that accentuate your professional =
presence.=20
We want to continue with some additional advice =
to=20
ensure that your total image "package" is =
working for=20
you!
First, =
consider all your=20
accessories as part of the image you are =
projecting.=20
Pay attention to the accent pieces that =
make you=20
stand out and where you can express more of =
your own=20
unique =E9lan. For men, your tie is your =
signature,=20
followed by your watch, belt, shoes. For =
women, your=20
signature can be your shoes, handbag, jewelry =
and also=20
scarves and how they're worn.
Part=20
of your package is your hair! Get=20
your hair professionally cut and =
colored. =20
Your hair must have a 'style' that is =
aligned=20
with the professional you aspire to be. If you =
are in=20
a creative field, you have much more leeway in =
how you=20
style and color your hair. In more traditional =
professions, you want to =
err=20
towards a more conservative look. You don't =
have to=20
blend in entirely but neither do =
you =20
want your hair to detract from your =
perceived=20
professionalism. Strike a happy =
balance. =20
The=20
quality of the accessories that are part of =
your image=20
'package' are important. Accessories of =
leather,=20
stainless steel or gold/silver trump those =
made with=20
man-made materials (plastic, beads, cloth, =
vinyl=20
etc.). Choose wisely without breaking the=20
bank.
Both=20
women and men often use belts as a business =
accessory.=20
A few pointers:
Build=20
a collection of tailored leather or suede =
belts to=20
suit your personal style. Belts can add =
polish and=20
=E9lan to your ensemble. Women have a wide =
variety=20
of styles to choose from. Ensure =
that is=20
you're using a belt to accentuate the =
waistline of=20
your dress or skirt that it is still work=20
appropriate. No rocker studs or blinging =
accents=20
please. With slacks, ensure your belt =
provides a=20
nice clean line without adding unnecessary =
bulk at=20
the waist.
Belts can be used to =
enhance the=20
way you look in your =
clothes.=20
For women, matching the belt to the =
waistband can=20
elongate legs and conversely, matching it =
to your=20
top can elongate a short waist.=20
Additionally, belts =
wider than=20
1" can emphasize a trim, small waist. The =
wider=20
the waist, the narrower the belt should =
be.
For=20
both genders, make sure your belt is not =
frayed,=20
faded, or just plain overused. It should =
be the=20
right length, not too long or too=20
short. =20
For=20
men, invest in black and brown belts =
(depending on=20
shoe color) that are of high quality, =
whether your=20
sensibility is more classic or a little =
more edgy.=20
A belt in fine leather is a wardrobe =
basic. Belt=20
color should relate to suit, trouser and=20
shoes. =20
Don't wear a belt so =
tightly that=20
it causes bulges above and below the =
waist.=20
Definitely an image deal breaker. =
5. Do=20
you know your glasses are an accessory to your =
=20
look? Invest in a frame that flatters =
your=20
face. Try to
avoid loud=20
colors for your work glasses or overly ornate =
=
designs. Note=20
that frames with a squarer shape project
more=20
authority than rounder shapes.
6. =20
For=20
women who by choice or office culture must=20
wear
stockings,=20
neutral shades that match your skin tone =
=20
are=20
best. The sheerer the better. Semi-opaque=20
to
=20
opaque=20
black tights are obvious staples in the=20
cooler
=20
months.=20
With pants, dark colors that blend with =
shoes
=20
or=20
hem are best. For men, make sure your socks=20
match
=20
your=20
shoe or pant leg at minimum.
The=20
key takeaway? Do not let any detail go =
overlooked when=20
it comes to your professional image. Start being =
very=20
particular about the pieces you begin investing =
in as=20
you prepare for internships and summer =
employment.=20
Next=20
month I will share even more on polishing off =
your image=20
package!
=A9=20
Copyright Donell Edwards Media, 2008 -2010. All =
rights=20
reserved.
|
About Natalie=20
=
Jobity =
Natalie=20
Jobity is President of Elan Image =
Management, an=20
image consulting firm and the author of "Frumpy =
to=20
Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to=20
Effortless Style". She works with women and men=20
nationwide to help them project a signature =
style and an=20
image that positions them for success in all =
areas of=20
their life. Visit her website for more =
information=20
at:
http://www.elanimagemanagement.com/.
Contact=20
=
Information:
=20
Elan=20
Image Management, LLC
Washington,=20
DC
443-295-ELAN=20
(3526)
www.elanimagemanagement.com/
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