Image is Everything

If you want success in your workplace or in your life listen up!

This is a longish one but I promise you will love it.

I have been wanting to write this post for quite some time now, never got down to express how important image is in the workplace and for everyday life. I always say this - no matter what society says Image is Everything it’s how you want the world to perceive you.

 A good organisation that I admire is called Dress for Success, this non-profit organisation helps women and teaches them how to present themselves in the workplace giving them opportunities and  career development tools to assist women thrive in not only work but in life.

Waking up everyday, slapping something on and going off to start your day, day in day out becomes such a boring routine and makes you feel a little disconnected from yourself, but if you wake up a bit earlier than usual or prepare what you are going to wear for work the night before, you will be surprised at the positive outcome you would have achieved for yourself. Feeling good about yourself affects your life and your well being, you’ll also be able to face the day ahead with confidence and ready to conquer anything. When you feel confident in your clothes you automatically become a more positive and happy person that people will look forward to be around.

Do not bottle your image and take it out in the weekend only, you should make an effort everyday make it a part of you. Remember – Style is a lifestyle. I can hear you all the way from here going on about how you haven’t got abundant budget to splurge on clothes, this is a false misconception. I can't stand hearing this again, this is not true - you do not have to spend buckets of money to look good, you just need time to be creative and experiment with your own individual style.

Another point that I want to address is makeup, I have met quite a few people that tell me they leave makeup for the weekend only - What is up with this?? Do you leave the showering for the weekend also? I mean this is a big N.O! Wearing makeup and keeping your hair clean is part of your image. Makeup shouldn't be applied in abundance, I do not want you to plaster your face - enhance the beautiful features that you have do not cover them. Some of you might be saying ‘I don’t have time, I have children’ this is the oldest excuse in the book, Please! My makeup regime consists of concealer, foundation, bronzer, rouge, eyeliner, mascara and lippie it only takes 5 minutes. Yes only 5 I timed it! 

Before you get started you need to read which Body Shape you are.

FACT:  Long before we are close enough to speak, we announce ourselves. We project or reflect important information about ourselves. By the time we meet and vocally converse, we have already communicated in an older and more universal language . Your Image can propel in the right direction at your workplace and in your personal life.

Here are a few easy tips that you can include in your daily routine to achieve an upgraded you:-

• Wear clothing with a good fit and adequate ease. Don’t forget to pinch an inch! Trying to fit into smaller clothes makes us appear larger than we are. Adequate ease in clothing prevents the appearance of a tummy or bra bumps.
• Wear a collared shirt. A collar lifts attention and frames your face, communicating authority. The straight-point collar works like the V-neckline, communicating stability, strength and action. Compare this to collarless tops which bring more attention on the body and cause the wearer to appear more casual and less capable.
• When meeting with an important client or giving a presentation, wear a jacket, sweater or vest. This third layer garment helps lead attention up to your face and increase body image boundaries for more visual authority. You will get attention faster, hold it longer and remain more memorable. You can always remove a jacket to dress down and appear more approachable, but if you don’t have a jacket you can’t dress up and appear more reliable and credible.
• Walk Tall. It makes you look taller and leaner.

There are some things that are more appropriate for the weekend rather than the office on Monday morning. 

These things should definitely be avoided in the workplace:-

     

•  Cleavage. It’s just plain distracting! The more skin that women show in the workplace, the more of their visual authority they give away. Keep it tasteful in the weekend also Please!
•   Graphic tees. Graphic tees are going to draw attention away from the face, where we communicate. Leave these outside your office.
•   Wrinkled clothes. This lack of attention to detail in personal dress can send negative subliminal messages to your clients about an overall lack of attention to detail.
•   Massive Jaw Clips or Scrunches.  These are only appropriate if staying at home otherwise should be burnt.
•   Nails. If your polish is flaking sacrifice 5 minutes of your time and remove it before going out of the house, it doesn't make anyone look put together and gives a message of carelessness. I don't want to get started about the fancy nail art I have seen.  I love nail art I go crazy over the monochromatic nails I am eyeing lately, but long Cruella nails with crystals, gems, carnival colours and so many things going on should be banned from the workplace (and everywhere else for that matter) Keep the nail art to a minimum - Less is More.

If you want to be taken seriously in your workplace, you need to start with yourself!

Love & Fashion,

G x