Video – Tips on Mixing Different Geometric Patterns of Shirts and Ties

Monday, July 26th, 2010

In Part 1 of my two-part series on patterning mixing, you learned how to combine a shirt and tie with similar patterns for a smooth and natural transition. This video post shows you how to mix a shirt and tie with different geometric patterns to create an overall pleasing effect.

Subscribe the YouTube Channel or, if you have an account, the VIMEO channel for a chance to win a designer shirt and tie valued at $150.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Corporate, Personal, Uncategorized, color | No Comments »

(Video) The Ugly Truth About Beauty in the Workplace

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Forget everything you’ve heard about beauty being only skin deep. Two recent Newsweek polls reveal that beauty may be pocket and career deep as well. Both surveys suggest dressing to impress today simply isn’t enough. Many managers evaluate the physical attractiveness of job candidates too.

The surveys reveal the following 8 ugly truths about beauty in the workplace:

1.  Looks Matter at Work

Fifty-seven percent of the managers polled feel an unattractive (but qualified) applicant will experience more difficulty getting hired.  Sixty-eight percent believe that once hired, looks continue to affect how managers evaluate an employee’s job performance.

2.  Aesthetics Trump Education

When asked to rate nine character attributes, looks rated third below experience and confidence, but above where a candidate went to school and a sense of humor. With that said, it’s probably a good ideal to leave for last, or not include at all, that line in your Facebook bio about having a great sense of humor.

3.  Resume Surgery or Cosmetic Surgery?

Fifty-nine percent of hiring managers recommend investing as much time and money doctoring your looks as you do doctoring your resume.

4.  Caution Women – Being too Hot can Leave you Cold

Don’t believe that? Ask Debrahlee Lorenzana, the Queens woman who filed suit last month against Citibank, alleging the corporation fired her because she was “too hot.” Regardless of the veracity of the allegations, many professional women know all too well the importance of mastering the ability of looking attractive without being attracting. Sixty-one percent of the hiring managers Newsweek surveyed – 60 percent of whom were men – responded they feel it is beneficial for a woman to display her figure at work.  Meanwhile, 47 percent of those same managers said they feel some women are at a disadvantage for being too attractive in the office. A winning case of “Damn if you do; damn if you don’t.”

5.  Fat or Skinny, We Hate Hiring Fat People

Sure 75 percent of the American population is overweight – according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control – but that doesn’t stop us from discriminating against overweight people at work and in life. Newsweek reports “[2/3] of business managers said they believe some managers would hesitate before hiring a qualified job candidate who was significantly overweight”.

6.  We Don’t Like Old People Either

Eighty-four percent of managers believe some bosses avoid hiring a qualified job applicant who looked much older than his or her cohorts.

7.  In Certain Situations, ‘Lookism’ is OK

Sixty-four percent of hiring managers said they believe when a job calls for an employee to be the “face” of a company, hiring people based on looks is acceptable. But there was an inconsistency here. 60 percent of those same respondents said they would favor a law making it illegal to discriminate in hiring based on looks. When researched further, 46 percent of the public said they would favor a law making hiring discrimination based on appearance illegal.

8.  Don’t Say FML Yet – Confidence is Imperative, Too!

You will recall that both confidence and experience ranked first and second on the list of the most important employee attributes. That said, lots of opportunities exists for the regular folks.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Corporate, Personal, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Video – Tips on Mixing Similar Shirt and Tie Patterns

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Mixing similar shirt and tie patterns is a great way to show off your sartorial muscle.  Get it wrong, and your style looks weak and in need of a personal fashion trainer.  In this first of a two-part series on pattern mixing, learn how to mix two similar patterns to achieve a smooth and natural transition.  Stick with these guidelines and your style will always be in top shape.

Subscribe the YouTube Channel or, if you have an account, the VIMEO channel for a chance to win a designer shirt and tie valued at $150.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Corporate, Personal | 1 Comment »

Globetrotting in Style

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

As an image consultant and wardrobe stylist, I do a fair amount of globetrotting. When I travel, every aspect of my look must make a stylish statement, including my luggage.

Accessories can make or break a look instantaneously, and when traveling, your luggage is your biggest and most noticeable accessory. I believe luggage should have a look that inspires envy on carousels from Paris to New York; possess lots of pockets and zipper sections to make it perfectly suited for today’s grab and go approach to travel; AND be able to withstand practically any baggage handling system worldwide.

It’s been said that who, or in this case, what you roll with, is a direct reflection of you. With that said, when it comes to a travel companion or two, basic simply won’t do for this certified image consultant. *Indigo shrug*

Here’s a glimpse at the two travel essentials I never leave home without.

Genuine Italian Leather Zippered Travel Bag – Chiarugi

I effing love this bag! Not only does this beauty work perfectly with everyhing in my wardrobe,  it easily accommodates my laptop, medium-sized pocketbook, two outfits, and a pair of shoes, with no problem. A little pricey but for those of you who know a little bit about me, you know where I coped it.

Fits my laptop and a whole lot more!

My second road partner is my TUMI Vapor International Carry On. Made of tough, lightweight triple polycarbonate shell, it offers ample space to pack for a five day getaway. My favorite features are the 360-degree swivel wheels, making this piece very petite friendly, and its tracking systems for retrieval should the piece ever get lost. That’s right. Luggage GPS twitches! Tumi puts a metal plate with a unique 20-digit registration number in each of its bags. Customers can register for the Tumi Tracer program to have their contact information entered into a central database so they can be reunited with their bag if it is found. Brilliant!!

Yep, it's bronze.

Beauty and Brawn

Take 10% OFF Orders of $100 or more! Use code GENAFF to redeem. Also, get free shipping on orders of $99 or more.

Luggage GPS Baby. Oww!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Corporate, Personal | 1 Comment »

Video – Being an Image Consultant – What Message Should My Website Photos Reflect?

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers (click image for larger view)

I received this question over the weekend and wanted to share it, particularly with those working in the image consulting industry.  In short, the question asked, “Are crossed-arms outdated or relevant today?” Here’s the complete question and my answer.  Let’s dialogue readers.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

“Hi Indigo:

Are crossed-arms outdated or relevant today?  I posted a picture on Facebook for you to critique and a friend from home and another Facebbok “patron” got into a fight!  Anyway it was intended for you, to see, so now I am going to attach here – of course my arms are crossed. The bottom line is I was saying the Image Consultant needs a consultant!!!! Now that I have lost weight and have to buy spring clothes now is the perfect time to make some changes. The primary picture is the purple, recently I have been using the white picture. If you have any suggestions to move towards a more contemporary slightly edgy look let  me know. My typical look is classic, classy, very corporate….HELPPPPPPP” – Debbie

Deb w/ arms crossed outdated or relevant today?

Dear Deb:

To answer your question, it depends.

We saw lots of crossed-arms on image consulting sites in prior years and still see that pose today, but I’m noticing a paradigm shift with the fresh new talent entering the industry.  Sue Donnelly, while not new to the scene, interjects youthfulness and energy throughout her site.  That said, my opinion is that the pose works for corporate consultants, but I see it as paradoxical for one-on-one experts.  Here’s why.

In the corporate arena, particularly among male and female CEOs and upper management figures, the arms-crossed image purposely denotes power, and resonates “I’m in control and I’m running this.”  While that message works in corporate America and for corporate image consultants looking to attract corporate clients, it doesn’t convey well for personal image consultants.  As a personal image consultant, one doesn’t want the client to feel threatened, uncomfortable or worse, forced to adhere to the dogmatic sartorial views of the consultant.

Personal image consulting is, well, personal.  Consultations often times take place in the underwear-clad client’s bedroom, with the consultant rummaging through her closet.*  Moreover, getting a makeover can be pretty traumatic and always should be handled as a process and not an event. For these reasons, the client must feel comfortable and trust that you’re partnering with them to elevate their current style.

One comment I get quite often from new clients is that my website picture helped to eliminate the initial anxiety associated with calling a consultant.  According to many of them, I look approachable, modern and fun. My style is a lot more relaxed than yours, but that isn’t to say that you can’t inject a bit of capriciousness into your classic look. You want to appear adaptable and, more importantly, modern. That said, continue to wear your classic suits, but soften the lines with more curves in the lapel and less stiffened fabrics. Consider selecting silk or satin underpinnings and pliable blouses.  Finally, light-colored suits are fine, but avoid white or off white.  Just as you don’t want to come off as stodgy or overly aggressive, you also don’t want to appear too puritanical.

Ms. Rodgers still looking in control but approachable. (click image for larger view)

Classic St. John Suit with rounded collar. (click image for larger view)

Check out this video featuring Essence Magazine, Beauty Editor, Tia Williams.  Ms. Williams looks fresh, modern and professional.

* When working with a male client, I generally travel with an assistant and always have the client change in a different room.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Corporate, Personal | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries