Welcome to my new blog! I am excited to share my knowledge, experiences, ideas and observations about personal image, style, fashion and branding. My goal is to provide professionals with information that helps them present themselves in the best possible light by highlighting their strengths and ensure they are being perceived positively and accurately. From time to time, I will comment specifically on “what not to wear”, as I believe your image, style and personal brand needs to be consistent not only at work but also during off-hours including, weekends, travel, social events, etc.

Which leads me into my post…

In many of my presentations I talk a lot about the importance of first impressions and the fact that how we dress is the strongest non-verbal message we can communicate about ourselves to the world. Our clothes makes a statement the minute we walk into a room. They tell the story of who we are, what we care about and where we are going. Essentially, we are a walking billboard for what we represent or want to be known for whether it is a confident, capable professional, a creative, innovative entrepreneur, or even a style icon. Our appearance talks before we have the chance to ever open our mouth.

Being on Cape Cod this weekend and out to dinner with my sister I had the chance to observe tourists’ attire at a rather upscale restaurant. I have to say I was appalled, yet not surprised by the lack of thought or care that went into the choice of clothing I observed. Interestingly, more women than men were the offenders. From too-short jean skirts on the wrong body type and age, to capri pants and tops that looked more like pajamas or scrubs, to shorts in general. Although most of the men did look presentable and appropriate, jean shorts, t-shirts, sox with boots should not be the “go to” outfit for dinner at an upscale restaurant – keep that attire for yard work. Hawaiian shirts are also not my first choice, especially on very large men. So the next time you go out to dinner, think about how you want to be perceived. If it is confident, successful and ‘got-it-together’, then reflect it in your appearance, but if your message is “I really don’t care”, then be my guest and look like a slob! Keep in mind, it takes the same amount of time to put on a nice outfit as it does to put on a sloppy one.

The choice is yours.