In the business world, we’ve all heard at some point that it’s important to “put your best foot forward.” Another equally popular piece of sage wisdom that you’ve likely heard is “you only get one chance to make a first impression.” Indeed, how we present ourselves plays a major part in how we are received and ultimately, our overall image and career success. With anything that impactful, it stands to reason that it’s critical to put in the effort and get it right.
As presentation is key to how information is received by others, your professional appearance—how you present yourself in the workplace or to your clientele through your personal “look of success”—speaks volumes. It shows that you are confident, put together, and showcases your individual sense of style, which sets you apart from everyone else. When you make a bold fashion statement, everyone takes notice. Likewise, even if you come to work every day looking the part with no extra fireworks or fanfare, this consistency speaks to your credibility, dedication and professionalism.
Susie Keuck – Nouvelle Eve
“When it comes to dressing professional keep it clean and simple,” advises Susie Keuck, owner of Nouvelle Eve. “There is nothing better than a crisp white blouse and a tailored skirt or pants. Jackets and cardigans may vary but stick to clean lines and minimal prints. When adding accessories keep the same idea in mind; minimal and not too personal and be sure your handbag is also structured as these pieces complete the look.
The most important thing is choosing a style that is right for you! If the pieces you put on compliment your figure, height, and body type then your look becomes proportionately appealing. It is so important to view your body in segments to assure you choose the right pieces to compliment you. It’s the little things like having your pants tailored or adding a scarf or a necklace that give you that little edge and sometimes, a very important focal point. I always say when you look good you feel good, and that boosts your confidence and everyone can feel your positive energy.”
Make sure to evaluate your wardrobe as a whole; in order to achieve a consistent look of success in any environment you should have the flexibility to adjust to different circumstances accordingly. It is particularly important to understand what type of attire is appropriate in your industry, as each draws its lines differently. In today’s workplace, casual wear is becoming increasingly popular. Become familiar with your company’s dress code, and always err on the side of caution. Being unique doesn’t always require something that’s loud or shocking; rather, it means incorporating personalized details into your overall professional look.
Furthermore, confidence is key and what you wear certainly factors into that. As a rule of thumb, you should always dress where you want to end up in your career and not necessarily where you are at present.
Specifically for the gentlemen out there, while trends will always come and go, the suit remains the most powerful part of one’s professional wardrobe as it has for hundreds of years. When you put on a suit, it makes you instantly feel like a professional. Moreover, a suit has standard components that actually make dressing easier in terms of putting together a cohesive outfit. However, there are still plenty of aspects of a suit that should be considered, such as fit, textile, color, quality, fabrication, and accessories. There’s a good mix of classic and bold in the current styles, making configuration of the key pieces something that can truly set you apart from your professional counterparts.
In terms of the worth of your wardrobe, consider not just price but value. You can go out and spend $1,000 on a suit, but if it’s not tailored properly it will look like you’ve spent $100. Fit is critical, which is why consulting with a professional clothier will ensure that all of the tiny details that you wouldn’t necessarily notice are taken into account and adjustments are made accordingly. For example, it’s common for many people in Nebraska to wear their sleeves too long. An experienced tailor will correct this issue, making the adjustment according to the guidelines of 5” from the thumb to the break of the wrist. Also, there are three different silhouettes: traditional, modern and slim. It’s important not to choose what you think looks best on others, but what will look best on you based upon your personal body type, and that’s yet another forte of a professional clothier.
Finally, for the gentlemen and ladies alike, bear in mind that there’s a big difference between investment clothing and disposable clothing. There really is a lot of junk out there these days, and a professional in the fashion industry will lead you towards quality items that will last and will alert you to key things that should be avoided. Rest assured that those who make wise investments in their wardrobe will not only see the benefit now but will truly realize it years down the road.
When it comes to caring for your clothing and ensuring that everything comes together nicely, there are two professionals that you’ll want to form a great relationship with: your tailor and your dry cleaner.
John Perlebach – Stilettos Dry Cleaning Delivery
“At Stilettos we understand the busy lifestyle of the working professional, so our goal is to make our clients’ lives easier so that they can enjoy the little things in life,” emphasizes John Perlebach, owner of Stilettos Dry Cleaning Delivery. “You’ll benefit from the ease and convenience of our services, as we drop off and pick up at your front door or office so you will avoid making unnecessary trips to the dry cleaner. Stiletto’s has the ability to clean a wide variety of items including in-house leather cleaning, suedes, furs, Uggs and most other household items.”
He advises, “Clothes that you feel great in will strengthen your presentation and delivery, so it’s important to wear something that exudes confidence. In terms of garment care, do not try to extend the time between regular cleaning. Wrinkles are noticeable and daily grime will build up, shortening the garment’s life span. Also, if possible, let your cleaner know about spots and stains so they can be properly cared for.
First impressions are very important and as your clothes tell a story about who you are, looking organized and well put together is key. Stiletto’s treats each garment with the utmost care; with over 100 years of combined experience, our professional cleaning staff will ensure that all of your garments are looking their best so you can focus on the business at hand.”
While professional dress (and press) alone will not likely win someone over, poor dress can shut you down before you’ve even had the chance to speak. Professional cleaning is a key part of the ‘Look of Success.’ It does not make much sense to have a professional wardrobe if it is not professionally cared for just as it doesn’t make sense to have a nice house and then never care for the lawn and landscaping. The care of your wardrobe is just as essential to your “Look of Success” as the wardrobe itself.
The best part about fashion is that it is always changing and the options are endless. We have a really great fashion scene in Omaha, which offers many terrific places to find your signature look locally. There is great diversity between each of these local fashion sources too, as each offers items you just can’t find anywhere else. Local boutiques such as Nouvelle Eve, Kajomas, and Bella Bleu offer a hand-picked selection of women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags and accessories from quality brands that are not often represented at major retailers. They also purchase a limited amount of these items, so you are sure to be one of the few people lucky enough to snag a true find. Whatever your fashion needs may be, you can certainly find your signature “Look of Success” in the Omaha Metro.
There are many factors that work together to create one’s complete Look of Success, including those that affect how you look AND how you feel. Health and fitness aren’t just things that contribute to your appearance; feeling better is directly related to looking better and vice versa.
Brad Schmitt DC – Schmitt Chiropractic & Rehab, PC.
“Living a healthy lifestyle is essential if you want to reach your potential in business and in life,” says Brad Schmitt, DC of Schmitt Chiropractic & Rehab, PC. “Living an unhealthy lifestyle has a negative snowball effect that can get more difficult to reverse as time passes. Poor eating habits, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and high stress levels all lead to sickness and fatigue. If we give our body what it needs, it can function optimally, which leads to more energy and less illness. Time lost from work due to fatigue, illness, injury, etc. is extremely common. People are much less likely to exercise when they feel this way, which has a negative impact on physical condition and stress levels. Living a healthy lifestyle enables a person to look, feel, and perform at their best.
Chiropractic care looks at all aspects of a person’s health and seeks to help that person reach their full potential from a health standpoint. Joint dysfunction, postural syndromes, and muscle tension all result from activities that most people do on a daily basis through repetitive movements. Chiropractic care encompasses a range of treatment options to allow a person to function optimally. This allows them to live without pain and have the energy and ability to exercise. When this happens, they can look, feel, and perform their best.”
He further advises, “Everyone really needs to look at their own personal situation and think about if pain/discomfort/fatigue is holding them back from living a healthy lifestyle. If so, seeking treatment options is important. People in this situation are less productive and satisfied at work, and are also less productive and happy in their free time. You cannot look or perform up to your potential if there is pain or mental/physical fatigue holding you back.”
When it comes to one’s look of success, there are many things that come together to make it really work. So to be polished and put forth the image that you want others to receive, it’s critical to consider many different components. While your wardrobe is key, it’s not the sole factor that determines your overall look. When put together with the right hairstyle, tasteful makeup, personal hygiene and grooming, ideal health and fitness, and a sharp combination of accessories, you’ll be at your absolute best.
As a hard and fast rule, if you are dedicated to putting the best you forward every day, everyone will take notice. Moreover, the right look is the foundation that truly allows your best qualities to shine through. Paying attention to all details, including how you present yourself, is fun for most but truly crucial for everyone who wants to be taken seriously as a career professional.