Matching your image to your ability is a skill that communicates competence, credibility and gives you the edge in today’s competitive corporate world. Jo Smallbones presents her tips for dressing for business success
Think of the best two or three key words that describe you. If you find this challenging, ask a friend or colleague who knows you well. When you have deciphered these key words, attempt to reflect them in your appearance. For example, meticulous and organised can be projected in a look that is classically neat with very little fuss; therefore avoid pattern or too much jewellery. Clean, simple lines work best, but avoid looking staid and dated.
Know your dress codes: smart casual is the one dress code that everyone interprets in their own way, but very few realise what it actually entails. It’s the social equivalent of business casual so, in a nutshell, for women it means replacing the jacket with knitwear and for men it’s losing the tie. Jeans do not fit into this category, nor do maxi dresses, tunics and leggings. Of course, appropriate dress codes depend on the business requirements and its culture, and every business will have different rules. As a guide, think about how your clients and work colleagues would expect you to dress.
Keep it appropriate: too much flesh is a distraction. Remember that short skirts ride up even higher when you sit down. If it clings, creases and is see-through then don’t wear it, wrap your sandwiches in it instead. A clingy garment is a sure-fire way to get noticed, but do you want to be noticed for all the wrong reasons? After all, “trashy” is unlikely to be among the key words you’d choose to describe your business image.
Add colour: although seen in every office in the land, black, grey and beige equal dull, unimaginative and boring. Does this reflect the inner you? Of course not! When you wear the colours best suited to you, your eyes will sparkle, you will miraculously lose the dark circles and lines and you will feel good about yourself. Colours are a fantastic mood enhancer, so avoid wearing black or grey on their own and inject a splash of colour to brighten your day.
Enjoy your wardrobe and have fun with it; by fun I mean use your clothes to reflect your character, charm and spirit, but keep within your instinctive boundaries of knowing whether or not you can carry off a certain look. It’s a fine line between playing it too safe and knowing exactly what suits you, your personality and your body shape. This is the key to confidence and feeling great in whatever you wear.
Above all, though, feel free to be yourself. Reflecting your true self in your appearance and being more aware of the non-verbal messages you’re transmitting helps you communicate more effectively. Be authentic – while something may look good on your friend or work colleague, it may not be suitable for you. Go with your gut instinct, otherwise your buying habits might end up as an expensive mistake, with lots of unworn items in your wardrobe. Style is not about being good looking, having a fabulous figure, or access to lots of money; it is about confidently stepping forward and saying: “This is me and I love who I am.”
Jo Smallbones is a style advisor and image coach who gives her clients the confidence to reflect who they are through what they wear, thereby achieving career success. For more tips and to sign up for her Style Secrets newsletter, visit the website at josmallbones.co.uk
