My Personal Stylist

A good friend of mine, business psychology expert and tactical strategist Peter Shallard from New Zealand recently gave away some of the “aces up his sleeve” on sales tactics via his blog. I was interested (and heartened)  to see that one piece of advice in particular generated the majority of comments from readers.  It was about “out-dressing” your prospect, so I decided to continue the theme and add my own thoughts on image and presentation, or what I call your “personal brand”.

I’m a firm believer in get up, dress up, show up! It doesn’t matter whether its social or business, I always believe in bringing my best self. Even on those days where I am short on time or just feel like “dialling it in”.  I know that when I put on a great outfit, do my hair, make-up etc I feel more confident and that feeling leads to more energy, more self-esteem and a greater overall feeling of empowerment. Think about it, its really hard to feel crappy when you look amazing!

Now doing all this doesn’t have to take a lot of time and effort. Getting ready for any occasion is simple as long as you have a strategy, and that strategy begins way before you open the wardrobe. It begins when you review your needs, goals, aspirations and then take a good, hard look at your wardrobe and your own physical appearance. Are you doing everything within your control to ensure you look your best and present well? Be honest!  If your clothes or appearance are scruffy or dated then you are sending a clear message to your colleagues and your potential clients… “I can’t really be bothered and I’m not organised enough to make the time or the effort”. Wow, that’s a powerful statement to be making and I can bet its not returning you any favours professionally or socially. I’m not talking about primping, preening peacocks here, just good old fashioned grooming and attention to detail.

If you spend a little time getting to understand the clothes that work best for your shape, the colours that make your skin and eyes glow with good health, and getting to grips with a basic (and speedy) grooming routine you can’t go wrong. This applies to men and women equally. Trust me, when you get this right, you’ll spend a whole less time worrying about what to wear and if your outfit is appropriate, and a while lot more time getting results!

10 Personal Brand Enhancers

1. Smart, pressed and clean clothing – without stains, missing buttons, pulled threads, frayed cuffs etc
2. Clothing that fits you well, enhances your shape and minimises any flaws
3. Polished shoes and matching socks/ hosiery
4. Good posture…walk tall & sit up straight – good posture can take off 10 years and 5 kilos
5. Being punctual and calling immediately if something prevents from being so
6. Smiling, and looking people in the eye
7. Being consistent in your appearance and your actions
8. Being authentic and believing in yourself
9. Saying thank you…often
10. Making someone feel good, just because you can.

Last time we looked at the first 2 steps to spending less and wearing more of your wardrobe: 1) Review and 2) Repair/Revamp (click here to read Part 1). Now we take a look at the last 2 steps, removing those items that no longer work for you and replacing them with those that do.

Before you can add new things you need to take a serious and unemotional look at your wardrobe. I can guarantee there will be items that need to go, and there’s now time like now to do it!

3. RETIRE

Typically never worn, never will be, irretrievably dated, deteriorated or stained beyond redemption, or you just don’t look or feel good in it (now is the time to be disciplined and brutally honest with yourself). Take action and retire it… you’ll feel relieved (and perhaps your friends/partner/family will thank you for it).

Options for retired clothes:

• If its corporate wear and in good condition and relatively new, consider donating it to Dress for Success, a non-profit organisation established to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and additional apparel—up to a week’s worth of clothing—when she becomes employed. Visit Dress for Success for more information.
• If its just old but still in good condition, consider donating it to a local charity centre.
• If it’s beyond redemption, burn it, bin it or use it as a cleaning cloth. But whatever you do, remove it from your wardrobe immediately!

4. REINVEST

Now, it’s almost time to shop, but only after you’ve decided what to Retain, Repair, Revamp or Retire. Know which gaps you’re filling and why.

First you need to do a little homework:

1. From your current clothes, see how many separate outfits you can create by mixing and matching coats/jackets/knitwear with different skirts/pants/dresses and shoes/bags/belts. Add jewellery and/or scarves to dress things up or down. Try the same outfit but different shoes eg heels, flats, boots.
2. Make a list or those specific items you need to fill the gaps in your existing wardrobe and to extend the number of combinations you can create. If you’ve found a style that really works for you, consider buying the same piece (or separates) in a few different colours so you can mix and match more easily.
3. Prioritise your list and create a budget. Break your list into essentials and ‘nice to haves’. You don’t have to do all your reinvesting at once. Work out what you absolutely need now and what can be put off until later. You never know, by the time you get to the “put off until later” items you may even get them on sale.

Now you can shop. Buy only what is on your list, because you know it will work in your new and improved wardrobe.

You’ve spent good money on getting your wardrobe organised, so be disciplined when it comes to reinvesting.

• If it’s not perfect for your body shape/colouring/lifestyle, don’t buy it.
• If it doesn’t work with at least three other items in your current wardrobe, don’t buy it.
• If you don’t really need it, don’t buy it!

If all this sounds too hard, enlist some professional help. Find a good stylist who will give you an unbiased opinion and will show you how best to maximise what you love and minimise what you don’t.

If you’ve ever flung open the doors of your wardrobe and thought “Grrrrrr…I have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear”, then this is for you. With all the wonderful new fashions in store you might be tempted to rush out and restock your wardrobe, but before you give the cards a workout consider this: an organised wardrobe is a manageable wardrobe. You will spend less time getting ready each day and you will know just what to wear for any situation, right down to shoes, bags and other accessories.

When you take a little time to review what you currently own and work out what else you might require to update your look it is time well spent. You may find you don’t even need anything new when you look at your existing items from a new perspective. If you need help with this enlist a few friends and – over some bubbles…or tea if that’s more your ‘cup of tea’ –  get creative, try on things you never would have thought of putting together. Don’t be afraid to experiment…sometimes that’s when the best ideas appear!

The first 2 of the 4 R’s of wardrobe management: Retain | Repair/Revamp | Retire | Reinvest

One of the best things about taking a few hours to organise your wardrobe is that you will discover items that really are not working for you anymore whether its because your size has changed (and lets face it, we all go through body shape changes over time) or perhaps your needs are different now and the item just isn’t appropriate for your current lifestyle. Perhaps it’s just had its day… sometimes we just have to let go. If its outdated and/or just looking tired/stained/shabby then its time for it to retire.

1. RETAIN

You don’t have to work around it – it works for you. It stays in the wardrobe, but make it earn its keep! It must be able to coordinate with at least three other items in your wardrobe.

2. REPAIR/ REVAMP

Buttons missing, broken zipper, hems dropping. Too long or too short, a previous or hopeful size, dated in minor detail but in excellent condition overall. Take action! Send it to the repairers, apply your sewing kit, or find a great tailor/seamstress and have it altered or remodeled. Change the buttons, have it dyed, have the hem taken up/down, or lapels widened/narrowed. However, if you really can’t be bothered giving it the TLC it needs, then retire it.

Stay tuned for Part 2: how to retire (wardrobe items) gracefully and how to fill the gaps without spending a lot of time or money.