The Power of a Polished Appearance

I was traveling last weekend and overheard a conversation between two twenty-somethings who were getting ready to board the plane. One was dressed fashionably yet professionally in a crisp white wrap-around blouse, black pin-striped pants, and black heels. The other was dressed like a college student in a tee shirt and jeans. When the professionally dressed one asked the other what she planned to wear for the meeting they were going to when they touched down, the college kid asked what was wrong with what she had on.

"Hello!" said Ms. Professional, "Haven't you ever heard of 'dress for success?'"

The college kid snorted. "'Dress for success' is SO 1980's! Nobody cares about that stuff any more!"

"Really?" Ms. Professional quickly retorted. "Well, I think you'll care in about two years when I'm you're boss and you're still in the same job!"

It was all I could do to not laugh out loud. In this corner, we have someone who gets it. In that corner, we have someone who clearly doesn't. Ms. Professional was right; with her business savvy and no-nonsense manner, she'll get where she's going in record time.

Unfortunately, the college student's take on business attire isn't all that uncommon. I've noticed an alarming trend in my emails in recent months, with people from one generation at a complete loss as to how to explain appropriate business attire to the newest generation of workers. While my BUSINESS WEAR MAGIC ebook does a good of explaining HOW to dress at different levels in different industries, it's clear that for many, the HOW isn't important right now. They're totally stumped on the WHY.

The whole "'Dress for success' is SO 1980's" comment suddenly crystallized the problem for me. For the generation who grew up watching their parents go off to work in Casual Friday attire (and the whole "dot com" dressing debacle that followed), it makes sense why they view the "dress for success" philosophy as outdated.

If you want to know WHY business wear is still important (or how to communicate it to your workers who "didn't get the memo"), then I encourage you to join me for a brand new tele-seminar next week where I'll tell you:

The 10 most common mistakes people make with their business attire

The 3 situations employers use to test you and see if you're ready for promotion

Why you may be earning 9% less than your competitors

We'll even have a question and answer session at the end of the seminar so you can ask your burning business attire-related questions.

You can learn all about the "Career-Building Style: How to Use Your Appearance to Advance Your Career" tele-seminar here:

But hurry! There are only 100 slots available and I anticipate that they'll go fast.

Always behind in your projects? Can't seem to get anything done? Feeling like you're running from "fire to fire?" You're not alone. If you want to succeed in business, you need to learn how to manage your time. Fortunately, it's not complicated. With a few adjustments and a little structure, you can leave work ON TIME, ALL THE TIME, and still get everything done. Sound impossible? Then you need the secret of EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT

http://www.topdrawerpublications.com/time

You're looking good. You've got the hair, the makeup, the outfit - everything's pulled together. As the day progresses, you find that you've become a people magnet. Complete strangers come up to you and start talking like you're old friends. Men go out of their way to hold the door for you. And just when you start feeling really good about your day, it happens: the crusty look.

You know what I'm talking about. When you least expect it someone - usually a woman -- gives you such a dirty look that if looks could kill, you'd be dead on the spot. It might even be accompanied by a snide remark.

LaRedoute.com

You instantly wonder what's wrong. Is your blouse too low? Your skirt too high? Your clothes too tight? If you can honestly say "No" to those questions (and remember: just because you can "suck it in" enough to get it buttoned doesn't mean it fits), then there's usually only one possible solution: you look SO good, she felt threatened. So, to get even, she gave you a dirty look.

It's not. It's the power of image. And once you learn to harness it, you can put it to work to get what you want, whether it's the job of your dreams, the man of your dreams, or the kind of respect you've always dreamed about. Oh yeah -- and dirty looks from people who seem to feel like you're stealing their thunder.

Okay, that last one probably isn't a goal. But it will be a by-product, so we'll address it momentarily.

Remember how I said when you look good, you become a "people magnet?" It's because of something called the "attractiveness factor." Studies have shown that even from the cradle, humans are drawn to an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Fair or not, attractive people tend to get preferential treatment all their lives, from more attention in the classroom and in the job market to a wider choice of mates. Small wonder then that most of our celebrities tend to be attractive.

Beautiful people
Attractive people get lots of attention

Now here's a secret: you DON'T have to be drop-dead gorgeous to be considered attractive. You don't have to have a great body, great hair, or even a classically pretty face. All you need to do is package yourself attractively, and you'll command plenty of attention.

Remember: people treat you how you treat yourself. If you take the time to groom yourself appropriately and wear flattering clothes, you're telling others that you're worth the time and effort; that you're important and a force to be reckoned with. And because you have confidence in yourself, others will put their confidence in you - unless you give them reason not to.

If, on the other hand, you dress sloppily or in clothes that are too small, too big, or two decades out of style, you communicate that you're out of touch or that you have low self-esteem. Others will respond by ignoring or mistreating you. And initially, they may do this even if you have more money, more education, or more talent than they do.

Not fair? Of course it's not fair! But it's reality. If you've never experienced this sort of treatment first hand, just do some people-watching in a crowd sometime and draw your own conclusions. Almost always, the most attractively-packaged people will receive preferential treatment. It's a fascinating social phenomenon.

And what about those dirty looks I mentioned earlier? You'll get those from people who feel threatened by you in some way, whether it's because you're younger, older, have a nicer figure, have better hair, nicer jewelry, or whatever. Often, it's because you've caught the eye of their guy or someone they're interested in. Try to ignore them. You won't be able to please everyone is this life, so don't wear yourself out trying.

Instead, set your goals and costume yourself appropriately to meet them. A polished image is a powerful tool to have in your success arsenal, so don't be afraid to use it. Even if you do get a few dirty looks sometimes.

Need some more guidance in breaking through the most common business attire mistakes to enjoy the career and income you deserve?

The plan to join us for the "Career-Building Style: How to Use Your Appearance to Advance Your Career" tele-seminar next week:

http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com/buildmycareer.htm

But hurry! There are only 100 slots available and they may go fast.