Expert View: Image matters in business
Image matters in business. Rightly or wrongly you are judged instantly on first impressions. You wouldn’t allow an advertisement promoting your company to go out with poor quality reproduction or a messy layout. You would want it to be memorable, attract people, present your company effectively and put you in the best light possible.
The same principle applies to your appearance. Investing in this area is one of the most savvy financial decisions you’ll make in business. Confidence stems from feeling 100% inside and out and that means looking and feeling your best. And now for most people the current credit crunch means there’s added pressure to sell yourself better and step up your networking – so if you’ve got the cash it’s a great excuse to justify spending a bit more on clothes! But spend it wisely. A lot of people only wear about 10% of the items in their wardrobe which means they are potentially wasting thousands of pounds on bad buys.
Everything must fit perfectly. Trying to squeeze into something a size smaller than you really are will cheapen the look and you’ll appear uncomfortable and awkward. Equally, if you’ve successfully dropped a few pounds, baggy, loose fitting garments will make you look untidy and do nothing to show off your newly toned figure.
For men the rules are simple but breaking them means catastrophe. Well cut suits in the finest cloth you can afford are vital. Quality shoes are essential and it’s unwise to experiment with trends such as overly wide ties or flashy cufflinks.
Cheap aftershave, or too much of it is an unwelcome distraction. And it goes without saying that fingernails must be spotless. Creased shirts are unacceptable. If it’s dress down day or smart casual and you’re not sure what to do, opt out. Safari “action man style” ensembles, weekend slacks and dodgy jumpers are sadly all too commonplace and a sure sign you don’t know how to dress. As for hair gel, if you must use it, err on the side of extreme caution. In a nutshell, you must always look immaculate and think quality, cut and simplicity every time.
For women it’s best to opt for classic, timeless styles so you can update the look instantly with modern accessories. A decent bag and pair of quality shoes are worth every penny.
A tough day of boardroom meetings followed by post work cocktails calls for lateral thinking. Dresses are ideal for day to night dressing and a great investment both in terms of time and money. There’s masses of choice out there at the moment too on the high street and dresses are nearly always cheaper option than suits.
Pencil skirts, waist cinching belts and stunning blouses are here to stay. Beware though, a tight skirt and high heel combination - whilst sexy and businesslike - can affect your ability to walk and can be unforgiving if you’ve overdone the working lunches recently. Hosiery can be a minefield. Whilst the debate about fishnets rages on in the London legal community it’s a fact that they are practical and look good as long as there’s not too much on show.
And if you really can’t justify any financial outlay, make the best of what you’ve got. Rennovate, change buttons, mend fastenings, sew hemlines, dry clean everything and you will feel like you’ve got a whole new wardrobe.
But remember, clothes mean nothing if you don’t feel physically at your best. Early nights and a healthy lifestyle is probably the cheapest route to looking a million dollars and giving you the confidence you need to grow your business.
Geraldine McEntegart
