SUCCESS? Not with this Dress

One of the things that I have learned as certified professional image consultant is that looking successful is not just about the garments that you wear. It is also about how they are coordinated, the garment details and your body language. At first glance these men and women look quite professional (okay, except for the elf shoes). They are all wearing what would be considered business attire. But look again, how many mistakes can you see??

The man on the left:

1. Notice the ripples on the jacket. Either he is pulling down too hard on the pockets with his hands or the jacket is too big around.
2. His tie is also crooked. (Okay, these things happen)
3. Shirt sleeve should extend about ¼ to ½ inch below his jacket sleeve for a classic business look.

The woman to his right:

1. The skirt is too short. For business it should never be shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
2. A little too much cleavage for work.
3. The shoes would do better at a night club than at the office.
4. The hemline of her top worn below the jacket might be alright in a casual work environment, but in a formal office it comes across too casual.

The man with the elf shoes:

1. Assuming he is wearing a shirt, his shirt cuffs also should be ¼ to ½ inch longer than the jacket sleeves.
2. With those shoes, his pants are too long. There should be a slight break at the bottom of the leg, not the rumpled look we see.

The woman on the right

1. The sleeves appear too long, although it is hard to know for sure, since they are buried in her pockets.

Advice for all…

• Putting hands in your pockets ruins the line of the garment
• Don’t draw attention to your legs when you want attention on your face
• Shirt cuffs add sophistication to tailored classic attire
• Crossed arms send a negative message – she looks angry
• Make sure the width of your pant legs coordinate with the style of your shoes.
• Elf shoes have no place in the workplace