I've had enough of your orphans!

I moved house early this year and packed my hanging items into 2 portable boxed wardrobes.  The removalist said, 'you'll need another couple of robes eh love?'  No, I'm done thank you.  He could not believe it stating that I am not 'your average sheilagh'.  Yeh thanks, I think?

As each item hit the rack in the porta robe, I smiled and reflected on the purchases I have made, how long I have had them and how much wear I have had.  My smile expanded into a smug little grin as I congratulated myself on stepping up to believe I was worthy of purchasing quality over the past 10 years.  This decision has actually saved me money, heaps in fact!

Before I moved, my friend Marie was quite shocked at how little is in my wardrobe.  People think that an image professional must have heaps.  Not so.  There are some excellent pieces in there over 10 years old.  Quality cut, fabric and fit.  And there are some items from pre-loved stores and K-Mart as well.  A good sprinkling of great accessories to transform my basics into something brand new and I'm done.  I don't have any orphans.  They are the sale items that don't go with anything in your wardrobe.  They are not part of the plan, have no family and no connections!

Nearly every wardrobe I go into has an entire family of orphans and I'm over it!  So I reckon you need to know a few things .......

It all comes down to the cost per wear.  This means you buy smart - choose quality that will last and give you several wears.  The cost per wear comes down each time you wear it.  When you choose to buy cheap, the garment will generally not stand the test of time.  Many of those chain stores will sell you a top for $30 and you can only wear it 3 times.  Cost per wear $10.  Too much I say.  I want my cost per wear under $5 every time.

Each season I bring in a new piece or two that makes a statement and I replace my basics as they become tired.  Basics are:  black pants, camis, shoes for work, gym gear, chocolate skirt.  A statement piece for me is my new teal trench coat or the animal print summer dress I purchased for $47 last summer (cost per wear so far is under $1).  The red coat on the left is a basic.  I call red a neutral and in my palette it goes with 'everything'.  The red coat is is wool with cashmere and 8 years old.  Cost per wear is now under $5.  It will rock on for another 5 years for sure.

So how happy are you with what you are spending in your wardrobe?  Most professional women do not have a budget to manage impressions as far as their wardrobe is concerned.  They purchase what does not work, never wear it and impulse buy.  Hence the reason many of you are wearing only 20% of your wardrobe.  What did you spend on clothing last year?  And how much of it are you wearing? 

Nearly everyone is a little bit dishonest with themselves about what they spend.

Action:  Be honest with yourself about how you spend; really admit to yourself what you have been spending.  Assess the level of comfort you have about what you spend.   How you would feel if everyone knew what you spent!

Think about how good it would feel if you were completely honest with yourself about your spending
Live in integrity regarding your spending i.e. only spend consciously on things you truly value.  Imagine wearing everything that you purchase?  Think now about how much money that will save you.  It's looking good I think!  If you are not sure about this, head to your wardrobe and add up what you spent on what you are not wearing.  Get out of justification mode, just add. 

Why does this happen?  Because you are not conscious about your shopping choices.  No problem.  You are fabulous at what you do in your life.  There is no requirement to be brilliant at everything.  My clients are smart, savvy business women who are leaders in their field.  They are smart enough to know that they don't have everything covered but they know how to access assistance to get them where they need to be. 

Getting smart about your wardrobe purchases is about having the knowledge to make it work for you.  Choosing to work with a cost per wear formula is about honoring yourself.  You are worth it.  Time to get 'conscious'.

If you are a leader, manager or business owner and would like more information on the 'Leading Woman' Professional Image Package, ask me how you may claim this service as a tax deduction now helen@imagequest.com.au.  With a 100% money back guarantee, you will no longer be attracted to orphans!

In the meantime, are you brave enough to post a comment on how much of your wardrobe you are wearing?  Come on!

12 things you should know by now .....

As we welcome 2012, clean up the desk and strategically plan the course of the year for business and personal gain, it’s the perfect time for a check up from the neck up on your professional image.  Courtesy of what’s been going on for Image Quest clients during 2011, here are the twelve biggest challenges we ticked off the list and got handled.  It’s no great surprise that when you present well your confidence increases and you perform at significantly higher levels in your personal and professional life.  So, we reckon that as a professional in business, this is a list of 12 things you should know by now.  And if you don't, get with the program and get a wriggle on!

suits your face & personality

1.     Your most flattering hairstyle. 

This does not sound like it’s a tough one but trust me, not all hair stylists know what they are doing.   If they don’t know you, your work or your lifestyle they are below average on the scale.  Your hair stylist is a major image maker.  They must create a style to suit you as an individual, respect your style direction and be a reflection of how you earn your income.  You can’t afford to get this wrong.

2.    Transform a business outfit from work to cocktail/dinner/drinks in 3 simple steps .

You are too busy to think about a complete change of clothing.  You know that!  Your business suit will serve you well to transform for cocktail the minute you change your earrings to add a little sparkle (diamonds or zircons that drop and dangle are perfect).  Next change your top to a simple silk cami.  The sheen will transform into evening.  Forget the cleavage.  You are still in a work environment!  Add a little depth to your lipstick and you are done.

Use an accent colour for a coat or jacket

3.     What to wear for the annual conference?

Business casual is the order of the day here.  Ditch the suit and relax the code a little.  This does not translate into denim, track pants or what you would wear at home or on the beach.  Smart casual pants and a relaxed knit top with a smart casual jacket will serve you well.  Use one jacket in an accent colour for you that will work back with each outfit.  Take a wrap.  Sometimes the air conditioning is way too cold.  The blokes like it that way.  A flat to medium heel is well received.

4.     How to choose an appropriate business shoe that IS comfortable

Your best business shoe is leather and at between one and three inches high.  A wedge gives you a solid base and will ensure you are taken seriously in business.  Keep the colour in a neutral.  Match your hair colour.  Check out this utube video on topping and tailing with hair and shoes http://bit.ly/wL4eb1  Get topy soles put on and consider gel inserts.  They will add to your comfort levels.  Purchase only quality.  You are worth it!

5.     How to identify your best business handbag without changing it every day

You need to carry your ipad, perhaps a laptop, phone, essential bag stuff including some jelly beans so what you need is a tote and preferably one on wheels.  Shoulder straps can do some damage to your garments you have invested wisely in.  Carrying two bags is cumbersome and has you look a little disorganized.  Check out The LuggageProfessionals for a brilliant solution.  Remember a light coloured lining means you can see the contents of your bag easily.

6.     The role accessories play in extending your wardrobe

Boring basics like your suits, simple tops and basic shoes are the staples of your wardrobe.  Accessorising close to the face with earrings, necklace or a scarf is what makes the same suit-top combination a completely new outfit.  Think about this one – saves money! Your collection needs to consist of six to ten pieces that work back with all your basics.  Choose them in your signature colours for rapport building in business.   More about that here: http://bit.ly/yuLjSB

7.     How to use contrast like a leader

Leaders use contrast to their advantage.  This is a skill you should know by now.  Contrasting light/dark close to your face using a light top and darker jacket will bring the focus of attention to your face and what you are saying.  Check out  how it works here:  http://bit.ly/AeFtsD

8.     How to apply a professional daytime make up in a flash

Research has proven that women who wear a moderate amount of make up consistently are rated as being more professional among their peers.  Leaders are consistent.  Role models know how to play this game.

www.pencity.com.au

 

9.     The importance of your professional accessories

A simple thing often forgotten.  The pen you use and your mobile phone speak volumes about you.  Choose a quality pen that reflects your position.  Similarly, choose the ring on your mobile phone with care.  You can’t afford to have ACDC as your ring tone.

10. Understand your unique signature colours

Wearing them helps immensely with rapport building.  Politicians, news readers and leaders understand this well.  Make it work for you.  It’s a powerful tool.  Get the visual here:  http://bit.ly/yuLjSB

Fabrics and shapes to suit you

11. How to get casual Friday right

The only rule here is that when the dress code relaxes the quality must increase.  If your work place allows denim wear it dark and great quality.  Keep in mind you are a leader.  Make sure you still look like one on Fridays.

12. Know your best shapes and fabrics

Depending on your body shape and structure some fabrics will drape and grace your shape better than others.  Balancing your proportions and eliminating distraction will serve to enhance your professionalism.

What will YOU tackle this year to sharpen your image?  Here’s to your success in 2012!

What does your baggage look like?

I recently attended a leadership program run by former Victorian Police Commissioner, Christine Nixon.  She spoke about the baggage we bring to a leadership role.  I sat there thinking about the baggage we bring to our own personal image and visual branding.  It comes from habits, stages of life, our priorities as we navigate forward, guilt, fear of the unknown, education, lack of support, body image, lack of skills and language, fear of failure or success, our confidence levels and what some well thinking person said 25 years ago.  Big list eh?

Funny thing is that we all have some form of baggage, conscious or unconscious.  It's there.  Fear of success is huge for women and it is a documented issue.  This occurs for women in leadership and in their career.  I see it play out in wardrobes - all the time.  Angela lives in Queensland.  She's a successful business woman and is currently writing a book.  A tiny size 6-8, she carries the echo in her head from her well meaning mother that nothing off the rack fits her.  Nothing!  She's just not the perfect pattern size.  Her mother sewed and verbalised her frustration to her young daughter, 30 years ago.  Until recently she was petrified to shop because 'nothing fits me'.  Yeah right!  Not any more.

Angela says: “As a result my confidence has literally gone through the roof... confidence in getting the most out of my existing wardrobe (which makes me happy to get value out of the money I have already spent in there), knowing and liking my body for what it already is and realizing that there is a lot I can do with it (I don’t have to lose 3 more kg’s just so I can look good) and becoming completely conscious about the clothing styles and designs I do like and being able to instantly identify them when I am in a shop overwhelmed by garments.  I was absolutely wrapped with what she did for me and my life, so convinced of how transformational it was for me that I have booked Helen to consult with my 15yo and 13yo daughters. All I could think when she had worked with me was ‘if only I had this information years ago’... well I didn’t, however my girls can have it and it is worth the investment... every cent.”

 Janet struggled to see how she was worthy of paying full price and spent most of her time hovering about the sale rack.  Of course there is nothing wrong with bagging a bargain, but at what cost to our self esteem if this is the pattern being played out time and time again.  It took some work convincing this highly educated lady that she will quickly forget what she spends on that one fabulous item but she will NEVER forget how great she feels wearing it.  My rules around the sale rack are simple. 

1. You must love it so much that you would be willing to pay full price.  That makes it a bargain!
2.  Next, you need it to build your existing wardrobe capsule.  It is either a basic, a bridging piece or a statement of your style expression.  If it's not, then we label it an orphan and it can go back on the rack.  It's NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!  Got it?

 “No matter how qualified or deserving we are, we will never reach a better life until we can imagine it for ourselves and allow ourselves to have it.”

You are worth of full price.  That does not mean we won't 'do a deal' at the register as part of your shopping experience.  I've been known to uncover retailers secrets to a lower price at the register just by asking.

Linda is consciously aware and awake to her baggage of not having the skills and the language to assist her 15 and 21 year old daughters.  She's under no illusion that she can't wing it.  Her girls mean far too much to her. 

What she understands is that a particularly delicate language and a good dose of skill is required in these developmental years in regard to a positive body image and she's not sure she's equipped with getting it right. 

Smart mother saved her sanity, saved some money and ended up hero of the day for hiring the professional.


Some words of wisdom for you to ponder from Christine Nixon:

• We all have limits but many of them are not real.
• Be yourself because everyone else is taken.
• Be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of someone else.
• Other people's opinion of you is none of your business.

I'm keen to hear, if you are willing to share.  What baggage are you carrying that you could offload?



 

A simple solution for corporate women

How do you shop for yourself?  What state are you in emotionally and physically as you go about replacing items that support you in your professional career?  Might seem like an odd question for some of you who love to shop but trust me, you are not the vast majority!

I have had some interesting conversations this week with professional women who love to shop and those who gasp for air at the very suggestion of a conscious planned shopping trip.  This week I have worked with two savvy business professionals at different stages in their lives.  Here are their stories.

Jane is a lawyer, height challenged, tiny frame, generous bust.  She spends most of her time in the courtroom representing her corporate clients and has a lovely husband and young children at home.  She's busy, needs to shop but is terrified.  Thanks to her mother in law, Jane decided I might be the solution to her wardrobe challenges.

After an hour consulting with Jane on colour, style expression, shape and drape it was time to book a 2 hour power shop at Melbourne's Fashion Capital, Chadstone.  Based on Jane's needs, I did my research based on what I knew would work for her career, lifestyle and budget.   Yes, some people have a clothing budget!  Clever huh?  Considering the cost per wear, you can save heaps purchasing the right garment.

We weaved in and out of 4 places making quick changes and placing items on hold.  Armed with pins, I adjusted hems and pinned in tiny alterations to make the garment perfect.  As Jane was changing back into her gear I was out the front with the manager negotiating the best price.  Retail fashion is down 4.9% right now.  We have some bargaining power.   Jane tried on garments that she would never have considered.  Her mind needed stretching.  The end result?  She spent less than she planned.  Got rid of the corporate suit and created a very smart business casual look that works for her career and home life.  "My only regret is not meeting Helen 10 years ago.  All the money I wasted on outfits that never felt 'quite right' and years of feeling self conscious rather than empowered.  It could all have been avoided.  Helen has taught me to like myself, to feel like I do belong in the corporate world and I had fun the entire time I was with her."

It all comes down to being conscious about where you are in the cycle.  So many corporate women are unconscious or only semi conscious in how they approach their professional wardrobe.

Imagine for a moment that you wear every garment in your wardrobe.  Can you?  Most of us wear only 20%.  So how much money are you wasting?  I know, you DONT want to go there, do you?

Getting conscious about your professional image is a decision.  You get to choose it.  No-one else can.

Sue is Jane's polar opposite.  She loves to shop and has more shoes than anyone I know!  Sue loves to dance, is recently divorced.  She runs her own accounting business and is back on the dating scene.  Her block was the smart casual look.  Suits are easy.  Anyone can do that.  This is the toughest component of most corporate women's wardrobes.

We added in a high contrast trans-seasonal trench coat and some very smart cardis, not the nanna cardi with the little round neck!  Check out the cardi on the right, soft draping collar.  Smart, NOT nanna.  Sue was convinced we would not find great fit on her body.  We did!  Simple straight leg jeans, accessories in signature colours and a couple of knock out dresses that will serve her for work with a jacket and head out to dinner with a fabulous heel and some great earrings.  A few new pieces have served to enhance and freshen up Sue's existing wardrobe.  She had fun and discovered a new way to look at herself and make her wardrobe work harder.

The solution is simple for corporate women.  It can be done in a timely, no fusss manner and the good news is that you get to claim your image advisor's services on your tax.  Too easy.

Love to hear about your shopping experiences.  What worked, what didn't?  Share your story below.

Beauty vs Brains in Female Leaders?

It appears that some employers put a higher value on an attractive face than qualifications or experience!  A PR agency admits that whilst the quality of their service is their main attraction for clients, having good looking account executives is a bonus enjoyed by clients.  It seems that as much as we think that appearance dosen’t count, it does!  This relates quite strongly in client facing roles according to Professor Nicola Rumsey who heads the Centre for Appearance Research at the University.  In these roles, your appearance is selling the image of the company you work for”.  As a society, we are pretty much obsessed with looks and reward attractive people accordingly.

Fact:  men age more attractively than women.  Does that mean we need to botox and have a face lift to stay in the corporate world?  I say 'no'!  What it does mean is that we must be fully conscious of being appropriate, current and professional.  I have worked with many senior, intelligent women who have been passed over due to their image, not their brains.  So much of this is about wearing shapes, colours and accessories that make the most of who you are and don't serve as a 'visual distraction' and barrier to communication.

How’s this!  Research has proved that attractive people are found guilty less often in course and receive less severe sentences.  Attractive applicants also have a better chance of getting better paid jobs.  One survey revealed that employees spent 1/5 of their salary on looking the part as they believe that the right image is vital to their career.

In comes personal branding.  It’s no longer acceptable to have a great business card, website and an attractive entrance to the building with great feng shui.  An organisation’s staff need to reflect the brand too!  Good looks is about taking care of your appearance and being appropriate, NOT looking like a cat walk model. 

Confused about all this?  check out successful female leaders internationally.  They have all made some attempt at being visually appealing.  I reckon they were onto something!  Indira Ghandi, Golda Meir and even Margaret Thatcher in her pearls.  You wont find botox here, but they sure did understand the power of perceptions!

Most people just don’t know what they don’t know.  It’s a great skill to know how to manage the perceptions of your clients and peers with visual tactics.  First impressions speak volumes.  You can tell a lot about someone by the way they dress and the attention they pay to their grooming levels. Of course you must be able to back it up with the knowledge and skill required for your position.  Research has shown that visual impressions are not so important when the relationship is well established, but remember you need to get to that stage by making a good first impression!  The world we live and do business in is highly visual today.  Get savvy and get skilled!

If you are a female leader, Image Quest can help you step up and match your brand to your brain!  Contact helen@imagequest.com.au

  

Bugger Perfect!

'The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection' - George Orwell

Yeah right!  I've been running a series of Conscious Styling seminars lately and have been blown away by the negative and horrific attitudes from relatively intelligent people at the prospect of having me help them in their own private wardrobe space.  Oh no!  I need to clean it out first!  It's just such a mess.  I could not possibly have you in there until I sort it first!

So, what are we waiting for?  A perfect moment when there is no-one home?  A perfectly organised and pristine wardrobe?

 Sam Leader in her www.flyingsolo.com.au blog states that the following negative ways of thinking are frequently observed in unhappy people, according to cognitive psychologists. Do any of these sound familiar?
   
1. I need other people to like me and approve of me.

2. It doesn't matter how hard you try, if luck is against you, you won't succeed.

3. If I have to make a choice, it is important to be sure I make the best choice.

4. It is important to do all things competently. 

Well, thanks Sam!  I hear you and can relate to what you are saying here.  What is it with women in particular that they think they need to have a perfect body, a perfect wardrobe of professional and smart casual outfits and a perfect space in which to store them all?  What on earth is wrong with making a start, drawing a line in the sand and making a fresh start.  Can we just make that ok for now.  How about working on 5 great pieces in your wardrobe to serve you well in your career and setting you up for a plan to build on that in the next 12 months?

That way, we can have 'good enough' for now, not PERFECT but good enough.  It's all about stepping up a notch.  Anyone can do that.

And here's a real awakening.  I'm not that interested in the state of your wardrobe or what has happened in the past.  I'm making a stand for you to move forward, not backwards.  So don't be concerned about what I'm thinking. 

Final Word:  What other people think of you is none of your business.   Stepping up your professional presence has everthing to do with YOU and your confidence levels.  I reckon you deserve better than being perfect.  Just have a crack at something!

Now, for the perfect man .........  Oh blugger, I'll be waiting forever!

Your Signature Brand Style

Your signature brand is unique to you.  It is something you become know for.  As a leader, speaker, influencer or manager how you look, behave, present and connect will have a particular style about it that will form your own personal signature brand.

This is a good thing if you are in business.  Creating a brand and reputation that is memorable for all the right reasons will serve you well moving forward.  It becomes a very cool personal signature for you.  You’ll want one!

Consider Bono’s glasses.  He’s known for them.  He’s also known for influencing a great number of people for the greater good.  Donald Trump is known for the sweeping comb over.  We all think it looks shocking but he loves it!  He’s turned it into a signature.  Important to note that he is so big as a brand that he can pretty much get away with whatever he wants.  Same goes for Lady Gaga with her unconventional and outrageous fashion sense.  Her branding can carry it.  Audrey Hepburn's signature brand style was unique and timeless.

Let’s look at a more conservative profession such as law.  Male Melbourne barristers have been known to wear outrageously coloured striped socks under their conservative and expensive suits and court attire.  It’s interesting to acknowledge that what is required is a consistent and congruent image and one that is also appropriate for the occasion and the client.  The barrister is all of these things and then sports an outrageous sock at the same time!

A professional speaker along Australia’s East Coast is known for wearing a block of the same colour every time she speaks.  This is an important part of her signature brand style.  But what impact does it have on her audience?  And more importantly on her?  She admitted  quietly that she hates that suit that she wears on the platform.  She’s bored with it and no longer feels empowered wearing it.  Colour is hugely impactfuly and has a particular energy around it.  While you may need yellow in your life for a time, it really does wear thin, when being worn as a suit for several years.  The human eye is drawn to distraction.  We do tend to notice what is wrong or distracting.  Imagewise, when something is working, we don't notice.  We hear the message and take in what you are saying rather than what you are wearing.  Take care about making your signature brand style colour related in a big way.  It can make it really tough to evolve as you grown personally and professionally.

Take the Macdonalds logo as an example.  It’s a recognizable brand and it has evolved and changed ever so slightly over the years.  Have you noticed?  Each change has been so slight that most people would not even know.  Think about building your signature brand style so that it can be freshened up to keep you current and still remain consistent and reliable.

So what might your signature brand style look like?  The first thing to take into consideration is your unique style expression.  This is all about looking at who you are as a person.  If you have a more relaxed style expression, soft comfortable fabrics will be more important to you than how it all looks.  A classic style expression will insist on quality garments and a reputable label may factor highly.  An innovative style expression is all about being that little bit different and forward thinking.  If this is you, then a garment or accessory that is different to everyone else will be important for you.

Once your unique style expression is evident, the next step is to craft your signature brand style based on who you are, what your message is and who the market is that you appeal to. 

Important to remember that this style must be unique to you.  Many elements will come into play to create a signature brand style that you can live with to serve your business or career as you progress.  If you are ready to create or recreate your signature brand style, contact Helen at www.imagequest.com.au for a conversation now.