|
Look
good, feel good and you will be your best! There is really no
substitute for the way looking good will make you feel and perform.
Many studies have proven that the best-dressed applicant, with
a keen sense of confidence will get the job first.
 That's
why I don't understand how America as a society has become so
casual in the professional arena. It started with casual Friday,
and has now become, don't dress up on Monday, dress-down Tuesday.
Well, I think you get the unprofessional picture.
Please don't misunderstand me, I enjoy comfort just as much as
the next person. However, in a business and professional setting
I wonder if many people in corporate America today are being taken
seriously!
Think about this, we used to be America beautiful. Now it's just
America anything goes. I am a firm believer that you lead by example.
The following list is not intended to offend any one person or
professions. Instead the list is to make us all aware of how our
professional image portrays how others trust and believe in us
as professionals.
DOCTORS
The first professionals that we will address are Doctor's - both
female and female. I know how overworked these wonderful teams
of professionals are, however, it's my opinion that there are
two areas in which they should not falter:
• The obvious, credentials and education.
• Professional manor and image.
I understand surgeons will do rounds after surgeries, sometimes
wearing their blue or green scrubs with tennis shoes. By simply
putting a crisp white lab coat on, I feel that not only would
patients and loved ones be able to identify them as Doctors, but
subconsciously gives us a better feeling of confidence and trust
in them.
Here's an example. Recently I visited a Trauma "1" emergency facility
in Michigan. I entered the facility for recurring back problem;
I had been dealing with this problem for a few weeks. After a
short time a Doctor appeared within my curtained area where I
had been laying. He had a lot of facial hair, coffee stains on
his lab coat and tattered and scuffed-up shoes. What was I thinking?
I do understand that credentials are the most important, but I
immediately lost the trust and confidence in this particular professional.
The trust and confidence was lost due to his appearance. I'm not
saying he wasn't a very capable Doctor, but he didn't appear to
be professional. He left for a moment and then my sister noticed
the very same thing about the Doctor. I didn't want this Doctor
to examine me, all because of his appearance. Just think about
a situation you have been in and think about what was going through
your mind and why.
Listed here are a few suggestions:
Female Doctors
- Long hair, pulled back off the face.
- Manicured nails with a clear base coat or French manicure,
very nice clean look not a lot of maintenance.
- Minimal jewelry is always best.
- Either in the office or on your rounds, always wear a fresh
clean lab coat over dress or nice pair of dress pants with loafers
and crisp white blouse for a sharp look.
Male Doctors
- It is a proven fact that a man with facial hair, losses his
credibility and trustworthiness in a professional arena. My
opinion gentlemen - lose the facial hair! People want to see
the person, not a facade.
- Either at the office or on rounds, a crisp white shirt and
tie under a clean lab coat.
- Nice well kept, polished shoes or loafers.
- Nice manicured nails and hands.
I
hope that these suggestions help and not offend anyone in this
profession.
NEWS ANCHORS
The next professionals I would like to address are News Anchors.
"Visual" is the word that sticks out in this profession, like
a sore thumb. Knowing your true colors is so very important in
this profession. When watching the local or evening news I realize
that this group of professionals really need help! From make-up,
hairstyle and yes even their wardrobe have many mistakes. I truly
believe that everyone wants to look his or her best but lack the
knowledge and/or the common rules of putting it all together.
Just today I was watching the Early Show with June Clayson and
Bryant Gumble, June is a beautiful woman. However, her colors
are really showing. She has a cool based undertone, and yet her
styling crew have her in all warm colors, from nose to toes. It
simply does not work. It not only washes her out but also gives
her face a very tired and dull appearance on television. I wonder
why all the experts responsible for putting these personalities
together, have no clue as to what works for the individual. They
seem to go with fashion fads that are current. Instead, they should
be doing what works for the individual.
In the celebrity arena I believe that lack of good information
is the reason we see mistakes, and the end results are not flattering
at all.
ATTORNEYS
Last but not least, I am going to address Attorneys. Once again,
depending on the circumstances our life or financial future may
be in their hands. Yet some have ponytails, scuffed shoes, facial
hair, inappropriate attire and/or chew tobacco. Oh yes, as you
have guessed I have seen this and more. If there's any profession
that needs to look squeaky clean, it's this profession. Ways to
accomplish this would be as follows:
Female Attorneys
- When in court dress monochromatic head to toe. This will
keep the jury's attention on the matter at hand and not on your
wardrobe.
- No flash, just classic and simple. If you want to be dramatic,
save it for an evening out with your significant other.
- Minimal jewelry.
- Ladies, please no sling/strap shoes or sandals. Wear a classic
pump, preferably with a slim line heal, chunk heals will make
your legs appear much larger.
- A manicure with a clear base coat or French manicure. But,
you should stay away from any kind of design on the nails.
- Your make-up not under or over done. Remember you're there
to get attention from what you have to say and present, not
from what you're wearing and how you're wearing either the garment
or make-up.
- Good rule to follow - more is not better.
- Long hair should be off the face.
Male Attorneys
- No facial hair, a clean shave is the key.
- Keep brows trimmed for impeccable look.
- Manicured hands, attorney's talk with their hand frequently.
- Belts and shoes must always match.
- A well kept attaché case.
- Suit pressed properly.
Image is such a powerful statement. We communicate 80% visual,
so we need to use our image and demeanor to enhance our professionalism.
For your own credibility, always look crisp, clean and professional
in your particular arena.
I hope that these few helpful hints will be of some help to all
professionals. I believe America has definitely lost its professional
image. I do believe we should all work together in getting back
what we have thrown away. For what? Comfort! For who? Yourself!
Are we justifying comfort for ourselves at the expense of trust
and confidence others have in us as professionals? Let's keep
America beautiful. We used to set the pace - let's get back in
the race!
Ladies, there you have it! These are the basic principals of developing
your personal look while maintaining your own individual style.
Meet us back here at lamasbeauty.com each month to learn more about
becoming the best you can be - inside and out - professionally
and personally. This column is devoted to furthering your education
on topics that enhance and empower you! Your self-esteem, attitudes
and values, beauty routines, fashion, style, and personality -
because they're all part of the journey - our personal, exciting
BeautyWalk!
Do you have any questions or comments about this article? We'd
love to hear from you. Contact us using this
form.
Until next time!
Warm Regards,
Diane & Flossie
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Diane Keelan is the Founder and President of Selective
Style, a full service image company located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Along with her partner Flossie St. Clair, the two conduct
personal style development training seminars throughout the United
States. Clients include United Airlines, American Trans Air, Century
21 and The Kellogg Corporation. Diane's passion is teaching women
the basic principals involved in looking good and feeling good
-- every day of their lives.
Discuss
this article with others right now at
The Salon!
|
100%
Safe & Secure
