Have you ever stood in front of the mirror and noticed that your outfit lacked something but you didn’t know what?  I’m sure  you tried adding accessories or playing with different combinations and finally you found something that worked. But,  do you know why it worked?  Understanding the “why”  will help lesson the number of times that this happens to you.

Think of the “why” in terms of  the “Rule of Three’s.”  To give an outfit a finished look three elements or items of interest are needed.  The three can come from any of the following:

1. The number of solid colors (shades of the same hue count as one)

2.  The layering of fabric and/or garments

3. The texture of the fabrics

4. Any accessories on the garment

5. Any prints or patterns.

You can complete an outfit by using the rule of 3 and adding a third design element. Try it and see what a difference it makes in putting together your outfits.  Once you find a combination that works, take a picture of it so you’ll remember what to do next time.  Looking for an app that will help you with your wardrobe?  Try “Closet Lite”.   It’ll help you keep your outfits organized.

I am always excited when I am contacted by someone who feels they have reached a point where they want to enhance their image.  Often times people are hesitant about making the decision to work with an Image Consultant and they wonder how it would benefit them.  Let’s clear up some benefits so you can move forward with looking fashionable, feeling stylish and exuding confidence in 2011.

• The confidence of knowing you’re dressed appropriately for your work life pays off in improved work performance and gets you noticed by people who have the power to advance your career.  In today’s economy we want to make sure we do all we can do to increase our opportunities for advancement or even retaining our jobs. Confidence goes a long way.

• Instead of using 10% of your wardrobe, you could be using 100% with the help of an image consultant. You won’t need to find more storage space when you hire a professional who will edit your closet and leave you with items that fit, flatter, and express qualities about yourself that you’re proud to share with the world.

• Worried about money? Think you can’t buy new things? An image consultant can help you refresh your wardrobe using the clothes you already have. And if she discovers that you’re missing a few key items, she can efficiently help you shop for them. You save money shopping when you are focused and shop with purpose.  An Image Consultant can help you determine what you need to buy and where you need to go to get it.

• Are you thinking of entering or re-entering the dating scene? An image consultant can help you take those first baby steps into your new dating life. You’ll look like a woman of power who, by the way, happens to be single and available. And if you’re looking to add romance to the marriage you’re in now, she can help you do that too!

• Do you have family heirlooms that you store away in drawers? If you don’t wear them now, when will you? An image consultant can help you create outfits that showcase Aunt Martha’s brooch, your mother’s handbag, or your grandmother’s scarf collection. Wearing the treasures they left for you is the way to honor their legacy.

Does image consulting cure all the ails of the world? Of course not. But looking good and feeling great about yourself  helps you get through the ups and downs of life. Start off the New Year right and make this the month you take action on your behalf. Don’t put yourself and your personal needs on hold for one more day. You deserve to get dressed – not just in clothes, but also in style – your style. When you greet each day with confidence, just think of the opportunities that could come your way! Give me a call and we’ll set up an appointment.

About the Author:

Valerie Hatcher, President of Your Total Image Consulting, is the “working woman’s image consultant.”   She discovered her passion for fashion and style at an early age while dressing and redressing her dolls.  She now uses that passion to show working women how to look fashionable, feel stylish and exude the confidence needed to project an image that positions them for success.   Visit Valerie at www.yourtotalimage.net.

o  Get a fresh haircut and if you color your hair, be sure you get your roots touched up before the big important date.

o  Men and women can both benefit from taming and trimming their eyebrows. Make an appointment with a makeup artist.

o  If you’re buying a new outfit, give yourself enough time to have every item tailored to fit your body perfectly. Alterations often take a week to be completed.

o  Men don’t need to shave off facial hair but they may need a grooming lesson. Because skin can be dry and flakey, consider using a cleanser instead of a bar of soap to wash your face. Follow up with a moisturizer for healthy looking skin.

o  Take a look at the bag you’re carrying. “Green” is in but using canvas totes that advertise random products or stores need to stay at home. Men can look into using a shoulder bag (www.timbukt2.com).

o  If you want to impress someone, don’t stray too far from your comfort zone. Avoid the disaster of walking with little confidence in high heels if you usually wear flats. Find a moderate height that won’t change your stride too much. If you buy new shoes for this special day, take some time to break them in. If it’s a long walk from a parking lot to the meeting place, you don’t want to be distracted by a blister forming on your ankle.

o  Men and women can benefit from a trip to the shoe repair shop. Shined shoes, with refurbished soles if needed, will help you feel at ease.

o  Women, if you’re wearing hose, put on a fresh pair.

o  Do you wish you’d said no to those last five desserts and dropped a pound or two? The right undergarments can make it look like you did just that. Spanx is one of those slimming, trimming undergarments and they are made for men and women. No one needs to know the truth but you!

Follow these tips and you’ll get it right every time while making a great impression.

1. Don’t assume business casual means the same as after hours casual. While t-shirts, shorts and flip flops might be good weekend options, in most businesses they are not good work options.

2. Don’t let inappropriate clothing jeopardize your credibility, reputation or brand at work.

3. Remember, your business clothing should not be the cause of someone losing focus when they talk to you.  Showing midriff, thighs, and too much cleavage is inappropriate for work.

4. Avoid clothing or accessories that offer political commentary or other controversial topics.

5.  Dressing down does not mean that anything goes.  This goes back to the first point. I know we’ve all seen someone who looks like they just woke up, threw on some clothes and ran out of the house.  Actually, they may have done just that.  Clothing that you clean the house in, paint in or work out in doesn’t belong in the workplace.

The above tips may sound very basic and obvious but there are those who actually struggle with one or more of these areas.  Don’t let it be you.

If you feel challenged about what to or not to wear to work, I would love to visit with you and come up with a plan to help you look  fashionable, stylish, and confident in the workplace.

Recently I had a client ask me for some tips on what “to” wear to a business casual work environment.  Here are my top five.

1. First and foremost, remember that image matters, even on casual days.  You should keep yoru neckline, hemline and waistline appropriate for work.

2. Keep a basic suit jacket handy as you never know when you might need to give the appearance of a more professional look.  Even jeans and a simple t-shirt professional can look authoritative when worn under a jacket.

3.  Wear well- made accessories to create an impact on casual days.  Silk scarves or fine jewlery are just a couple of items that can upgrade a basic outfit.

4.  As mentioned earlier, casual doesn’t mean sloppy.  Make sure your clothes are stain free, pressed and not torn.

5.  Remember to dress appropriately for the situation.  If you have a meeting with an important client, perhaps wearing regular business clothes would be more professional. 

It is not necessary to wear a suit in order to look professional and polished.  Keep the above tips in mind and you’ll look great every time.

Here are some 6 great ways to add just a little something to make everything in your wardrobe look better.

1. Oxford Shoes in a low price point.  The whole menswear look could be captured in one pair of shoes that you’ll wear over and over.

2.  Lace fingerless gloves.  Bring a touch of trend detail into last season’s clothes with lace gloves that add more fashion than function.  You get a lot of flavor without spending a lot of money.

3.  Fur scarf in faux fur.  Real fur is very expensive.  Scarf departments in larger department stores will give you the equivalent for less.

4.  Fake pearls.  A bundle of peals filling in a neckline is a much more favored designer look this season.  Make yours costume jewelry and you’re right in step!

5.  Bulky knit bag.  Be part of the bulky knit trend by shopping for a knit bag in chain stores like Sam Moon Trading Company, Charming Charlie’s, H&M or other trendy fashion for less stores. When it cost less, you won’t mind that the bag only last a season.

Remember to invest in classics and go save money on the trends.  Don’t spend a lot of money on pieces that you are only going to wear a few times or for a season.   Looking fashionable does not have to be expensive.

When most people think of being competitive, they think in terms of education, skills and ability.  Don’t get me wrong, all of these things are important but your image is just as important.

I have recently read several articles related to employers hiring people who look good.  I don’t mean having a supermodel look but I do mean those who look like they care about their appearance.  A recent Career Builder survey indicates that 41% of employers state that the people who dress better or more professionally tend to be promoted more often than others in their organization.

Financial services industries tend to place alot of emphasis on professional dress. While the organization overall may have a more casual dress code, how you dress can have an impact on how others perceive you.    Dressing professionally can project a motivated and dedicated image.

You do not have to go out and purchase a new wardrobe but you should have a few few basic versatile pieces;  look neat and clean; dress as if you are going to work and not a ball game;  and try looking the part for the role you want.  It is often said that you should not dress for the job that you currently have but for the job you want.

Don’t let your appearance keep you from reaching your potential.

Is this something that you are struggling with?  I would love to show you how to be comfortable while remaining professional in order to help you land the job of your dreams.

Don’t let your image hold you back from opportunities.

As I looked at the styles on the mannequins, I noticed that some would be very work appropriate while others, not so much.  With that in mind, here are 3 things to consider when selecting  jeans for work.

1. The Wash-  a dark rinse is polished enough for most settings

2. The Fit-body skimming, but not too tight, looks pulled together

3. The Style-the office isn’t the place to rock your trendier pairs of jeans.  Stick to classic jeans without embellishments.

For a good pair of jeans that look very nice for the workplace, try a pair of trouser jeans. They are my favorite!

J.Crew Lightweight Stretch Trouser Jeans

About the Author: Valerie Hatcher, owner of Your Total Image works with professional women who enjoy clothing and understand the importance of their image to their success.   She teaches them how to dress for success-enabling them to look fashionable, stylish and confident.   Visit Your Total Image at www.yourtotalimage.net and sign up for the monthly newsletter filled with tips.

If you take the time to groom yourself and wear flattering clothing that fits your body and is appropriate for the occasion, you are demonstrating that you care about your appearance and have confidence in yourself.  Others will also have confidence in you, unless you give them reason not to.

On the flip side, if you look thrown together or have on clothes that do not fit or are outdated then you are communicating that you don’t care about your appearance, you are out of touch or even that you have low self esteem.  Others will respond to you in like manner.

I know it isn’t fair but it is reality.  Think about the goal that you are trying to accomplish.  Is it to get the job that you have been seeking, to be taken seriously as a contender for a promotion or to get that committee chair position that you have hoped for?   Whatever the goal is for you, dress yourself appropriately to meet that goal.  A polished image is a powerful tool to have in your handy tool bag.  Don’t leave home without it.

About the Author: Valerie Hatcher of Your Total Image teaches women how to dress for success-enabling them to look fashionable, stylish and confident.  She shows them how to build an effective personal brand to achieve social and professional success.  Visit Your Total Image at www.yourtotalimage.net and sign up for the monthly newsletter filled with tips.