As much as some women may balk at the notion, the way a woman looks in the business world, especially in the upper echelons, can make or break her career.

And, to a certain degree, the same is true of men.

Concentrating on the basic components of a workday wardrobe and saving money by taking a fresh look at what’s already in your closet are two pieces of advice that a New York City fashion designer and a Barrington consultant say can help a professional woman improve her image without necessarily spending a ton of money.

“The way you present yourself visually – your hair, your jewelry and your shoes – makes a very fast and lasting impression,” said Nina McLemore, founder, CEO and designer for the Manhattan-based Nina McLemore line of fashions for female executives and career-oriented women.

“If you don’t present the right image, it’s very difficult for someone else to get past that image,” McLemore said. “It’s very important to dress so that you look like you’re successful.”

According to McLemore, studies have shown that some employers make hiring decisions within the first 30 seconds of an interview, based at least in part on how the applicant looks.

“You want to spend money on your basic pieces because these are the pieces you want to last,” said Margaret Batting, an image consultant certified with the Association of Image Consultants International who runs her business, Eleve´ Image Consulting, out of her Barrington home. She works with both male and female clients, and will present at a R.I. Economic Development Corporation workshop on image in June.

Basic pieces of a woman’s wardrobe are “building blocks” that would include such clothes as a neutral-colored or black suit, trousers and cashmere sweater, Batting said, to which blouses, jackets, jewelry and accessories can be added. “Accessories are a great way to update your look very inexpensively,” she advised.

Read the rest of this article in the Providence Business News