Dress And Grooming

In terms of dress and grooming, it’s important that your appearance says what you want it to say about you, rather than give misleading messages about your personality. For example, your clothes should:

Complement you Physically, in Colour and Style: Get advice on this if you need to – the right colours and styles of clothes will retain attention to your face and not highlight bits you’d rather camouflage. Remember, a good fit is vital if you’re to look well-dressed.

Reflect your Personality: Your clothes should be an extension of you and your personality – don’t try to say things about you that you can’t carry off. Playing it safe on a creative person gives a mixed message.

Be Appropriate for the Audience, Situation, Environment and your Objectives: Unless we’re appropriately dressed we’ll never be well-dressed. Think about your industry and that of your client – what is expected? Don’t be a maverick on this issue. Remember, a formal suit may be what’s required, but on the other hand it may be intimidating for an informal discussion with a creative industry. Always enquire on the dress code policy when attending VIP meetings.

Be Current: If your image is a little “yesterday” rather than “today”, then your thought processes may also be dated. And this includes hairstyle, spectacles, shoes and accessories.

Be Clean: And lastly, your personal grooming (and personal hygiene standards) will give massive clues to others about your inner values, self-esteem and your attention to detail. Areas such as teeth, breath, nostrils, ears, over-done make-up, (or no make-up on women), unkempt nails and body odour on either sex are all areas that research shows other people notice and do get in the way of professional success.

Remember that appearance is not only about clothing… it is a package.