You have worked hard to achieve the success you have today. We live in a high competitive world where every facet of a person counts. Not only your knowledges and experience will take you further. Putting attention on cultivating an executive wardrobe will accentuate the professional image that supports your goals. Not only is essential that important first impression that we all know, it is equally imperative to maintain or even improve that first impression made on others over the time.
Your image is one of the most important contributing factors in business. As a professional, everyday you probably plan your day and what you want to accomplish with your time. Give the same consideration when planning your attire.
Our clothes, grooming and body language are seen as clues to our character and personality. Creating a good impression is all about managing these clues to encourage others not to focus on our packaging but beyond it, and pay attention to you and what you have to offer.
If you present yourself as capable, confident, reliable person, others will respond to you accordingly.
Therefore, everything you wear, say and do should be:
- Appropriate to the situation, circumstances, people in attendance, climate.
– Enhancing to you as a person – physically and personality.
– Goal effective to what you want to achieve.
For you image you will be judge by others:
- Credibility: the level of believability, trustworthiness and competence you portray.
– Likeability: how much you are like “them”. How friendly, easy to get along with and approachable you are.
– Personal Attractiveness: Are you making the most of your physical attributes?
– Confidence: How self-assured/confident you appear to be.
Follow the next tips to build an effective executive wardrobe that will convey confidence and competence, and enjoy your success!
1.- THE RIGHT IMAGE FOR YOUR WORKPLACE
Within many professional environments, there is a silent but precise standard of dress. Knowing what is considered appropriate for your environment will ensure that you give the right image for your job and do not make any expensive mistakes when building your wardrobe.
Keep this in mind when visiting another office that might have a different business dress code than yours.
Be sure you build outfits into your wardrobe for each activity. If you look uncomfortable doing your work because your wardrobe selection is out of place, you will not be taken seriously on your job.
2.- CLOSET AUDIT AND BASIC PROFESSIONAL WARDROBE REQUIREMENTS
An effective executive wardrobe wardrobe is composed by:
PROFESSIONAL WARDROBE FOR MEN:
- 3-6 suits, at least one in dark charcoal and one in navy.
– 12+ dress shirts, 2-4 white and the rest in iced pastel solid colors or patterns (stripes, checks).
– 10 ties in current, conservative patterns no larger than 1 1/2″ diameter.
– 3-3 pairs dress shoes, black, dark brown or cordovan, matching trousers.
– 2 belts of smooth, high quality leather to match the shoe color.
– 10 pair socks, medium to fine, matching trousers, in solid colors or subtle pattern.
PROFESSIONAL WARDROBE FOR WOMEN:
- 2-6 suits, at least 2 in dark colors.
– 4-6 blouses, 2 white, 2 colored and 2 patterned.
– 2-3 pairs of dress shoes in black navy, dark brown to coordinate with hemline.
– 2 belts in smooth, high quality leather to match shoe color.
– 10 pairs hosiery to coordinate with hemline in sheer solid colors.
Your goal is to have 13 outfits in your professional wardrobe. That doesn’t mean 13 suits, it means mixing and matching different garments.
Before you make a list of what you need, start being sure of what you have already. Pull out everything in your closet that could possibly worn to work. Try everything on and make sure it fits well, that looks great on you and that it’s in good condition.
3.- START WITH YOUR CORE COLORS
Color is a powerful force in non verbal communication. It is the first thing people notice and react to because it is very emotional. It is a powerful business tool that you do not want to overlook as you build your executive image.
Wearing your best colors is a clever move in managing your visual image. The right colors for you will enhance your natural coloring, make your skin glow, your eyes shine and your hair color have more depth. the fashion colors this season may or may not be your friends. Get your colors professionally done to ensure every bright, neutral or pastel color you put on is sending the message you want it to send.
Planning your wardrobe around your best neutral colors (core colors) gives you maximum flexibility. For successful wardrobe coordination, you will also need to include a range of basic colors (ties and shirts) to add some color to
The colors we choose to wear have an effect on how others perceive us:your outfit.
- The darker the color, the more authority the wearer.
– The higher the contrast between the color of the suit, shirt and tie, the more powerful your appearance will be.
4.- CORRECT FIT
The image you project will come as much from the style and color of your clothes as it will from the fit and the fabric. Correct fit is defined as the right size clothing for your body. The result should be clothes that drape well over your body and are comfortable. there should always be enough space between your body and your clothes so that yo can breath and move easily.
By being able to recognize the elements of good fit and what alterations can and cannot be carried out, you will be able to make sure you get the best fit possible.
If your budget is restricted to less expensive suits, the most important thing to get right is the fit. Clothes that fir well will not only flatter and enhance the wearer’s stature, but will also show an attitude of self-confidence and style.
Instead, a bad fit, wrinkled, too tight or too loose or too baggy clothes, are qualities that do not convey a professional or businesslike image. They show that the wearer has neglected to pay attention to the details, which can signal to others that you may not pay attention to the details of a job project.
5.- GROOMING
The effort you take with your personal grooming is just as important as the effort you take to select the clothes that most suit your figure or the colors the most flatter your personal coloring.
Grooming includes the conditions of what is worn and the wearer’s personal hygiene:
- The state and cleanliness of your hair, skin, teeth and nails.
– Your makeup application (women)
– Body odor
. Do not overdo your fragrance.
– the state and cleanliness of your clothes.
Poor grooming suggests that you have a low self-esteem, may lack self-awareness and be someone who may not pay attention to the finer points of a task.
HAIR
- Your hair frames your face. It should be clean, tidy and well styled according to your face shape and hair type.
– The style and color needs to be appropriate for the wearer’s age, position and profession. (Women)
– A low part is not a satisfactory way to disguise thinning hair. the lowest part should get directly above the outer edge of your eyebrow. Have your hair trimmed to a short style for the best results.
– Beards and mustaches have been proven to be a liability when working in professions where competency, credibility and trust are important.
– Excess hair should be trimmed from the nose, ears and neck edge.
MAKEUP AND ACCESSORIES
When you wear makeup in a professional environment people will take you more seriously.
Your makeup, jewelry and other accessories (as watches, briefcases, purses) are also one part of your overall executive image equation. Thus influencing factors that deserve your attention because they can complement or compete with your carefully selected outfit. A great handbag or briefcase can polish your outfit to perfection, but choose one, don’t carry both of them.
This also applies to your makeup. Wear makeup, but do not overdo it. It should be frech and should polish your look. Keep the adventurous accessories and dramatic makeup for your evening activities.
