Today is Tuesday, that means this post is about positive personal impact. Your attire says a lot about you. Make sure that it helps you build a positive personal impact.
Read on for 25 Tips on How to Dress for Positive Personal Impact…
25 Tips on How to Dress for Positive Personal Impact
1. Remember that “business” is the first and most important word in the phrase “business casual”. Dress like you’re going to work, not to a sporting event. Wear a blazer as a light jacket in warm weather and under your top coat in colder weather. A blazer says power, authority and confidence.
2. Dress appropriately for your work situation. It is usually hard to be overdressed. Error on the side of caution if you don’t know what is appropriate.
3. Observe successful people in your organization. What do they wear? Dress like them.
4. Dedicate time and money to your business wardrobe. Purchase your clothing according to a well thought out plan. You can stretch your clothing budget by getting things on sale, but only if you have a plan.
5. Learn your company’s unwritten dress code. Make sure you conform. Show the world how creative and with it you are in your off work hours.
6. Buy the highest quality clothes that you can afford. This will pay off in the long run. High quality clothes look better and wear longer.
7. Buy blazers first. Blazers are an important staple of a business casual wardrobe --for both men and women. Every business person should have one black and one navy blue blazer.
8. Make sure your clothes fit well are well tailored. Use the three way mirror when trying on clothes. Make sure you look good from the front, back and side.
9. Keep your clothes looking good. Find and use a good dry cleaner. Send your clothes to the cleaners after every three wearings. Do not try to press a good suit using a hotel iron. Call the valet.
10. Make sure your blazer has all of its buttons, and that the hem of your skirt doesn’t hang down below the hem.
11. Air out your blazer over night. Hang it outside of your closet. This will allow the fibers to return to their natural shape and help alleviate any odors picked up during the course of the day.
12. Travel with your blazer. You can dress it up with flannel trousers or skirt, a white shirt and tie. You can dress it down with khaki’s and a golf shirt. It is an indispensable part of your traveling wardrobe.
13. Leave your jeans for the weekends. They may be acceptable at your place of work, but well pressed khakis look a lot better.
14. Wear over the calf socks is you’re a man. No skin should show when you cross your legs.
15. Make sure your shoes are shined and in good repair – this is true for women too. Run down heels, and holes in your soles give a poor impression. A good shoe shine puts a bounce in your step. It helps your confidence. Well maintained shoes demonstrate your attention to detail.
16. Rotate your shoes. Try to not wear the same pair two days in a row. Shoes need time to breathe between wearings.
17. Buy high quality accessories, especially watches and pens. Wear jewelry that is understated, not gaudy. Save the bling for parties and clubs. Buy the best quality briefcase you can afford.
18. Ask about the dress code when you are invited to a social event. You don’t want to be underdressed or overdressed. When you are the host, and appropriate dress might be in question, say something like “I’ll probably wear a golf skirt and khakis”, or “I’ll probably wear a blazer and tie”.
19. Freshen your breath with of the strips that have become common in the past few years. Don’t chew gum. Ever. It makes you look like a cow.
20. Keep your hands looking good – if you bite your nails, stop. Men don’t need to get manicures, but your nails should be neatly trimmed. Women should avoid manicures that draw a lot of attention to their nails.
21. Pay attention to any unwanted hair. Trim your nose hair, eye brows and ears regularly.
22. Wear minimal amounts of after shave, cologne or perfume. You want people to remember you for what you have to say, not how you smell.
23. Wash your hair daily. Dirty hair can have a bad odor. Clean hair prevents dandruff. It helps you look well groomed.
24. Comb your hair several times a day – especially after coming in from outdoors. A quick look in the mirror will show you just how windblown your hair can get, even on a day that is not particularly windy.
25. Have your hair cut and styled regularly. Your hair stylist is your friend. Visit him or her as often as necessary to keep you looking sharp.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, I’ll be doing a post on personal impact. Log on to my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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