Tag Archives: image consultant

Business Dress, Wardrobe, Women

How Much Cleavage is Too Much Cleavage?

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As an image consultant, companies often hire me to speak to their employees about professional dress. One of the top areas of concern for companies is cleavage.cleavage

How much cleavage is too much cleavage?

Because we are all built differently it’s difficult to give exact measurements. However, the general rule for a professional look is that your neckline should be no lower than 2 finger widths above where your cleavage starts.

In a social setting with friends, choose the depth of your neckline based on your level of confidence, the impression you are trying to make and where you want attention focused.

Business Dress, Look Younger, Wardrobe, Women

The Wrong Underwear

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You know, we have all seen it… the sagging or bumpy breasts, jiggling rear ends and the underwear straps that show. These are all examples of the wrong underwear. Although, the wrong undergarments will sabotage your image in any situation, it is even more of an issue at work. Why? If the desired focus is your product or service and you want to appear credible in your presentation of that product or service, then the focus should be on that product or service. The wrong underwear is not only distracting, it can make others uncomfortable. In other words, when at work, do you want people to be thinking about your underwear or what a great job you and your company can do for them? The right underwear will keep everything in place and help keep attention focused on what’s important at the time. Your silhouette will appear smoother and you will look slimmer.

Etiquette

The Canadian Way to Exchange Business Cards

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As Canadians, we tend to adopt the customs of other cultures. And when it comes to the business card exchange it is no different. There are two ways that we Canadians exchange business cards the Japanese way and the European way. 

The Japanese / Asian business exchange is universally considered to be the most formal. The business card is held with both hands on the top corners of the card. Thumbs on top. The card is received the same way holding the business card on the bottom corners. 

The European business card exchange formula is considered a little less formal from a global perspective. However, it is still considered correct and many Canadians prefer it over the Japanese method. The business card is held in your right hand with your thumb on the top left corner of the card. Receive the business card with the right hand on the bottom right corner of the card. 

Either way, take a moment to look at the card before putting it away.

Etiquette

Business Card Etiquette

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Even though the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver / Whistler will be a social event for most, there may be an opportunity to exchange business cards. Unfortunately many of us were never given instruction on how to conduct this exchange. Here are a few tips: 

  • Wait to be asked – don’t just hand them out.
  • When asked for a business card it is polite to reciprocate the exchange
  • In many cultures the business card is considered very important. When receiving a business card, take a moment to look at the card before putting it away.
  • Respect the card – don’t just stuff it into your back pocket. Place it carefully into a business card holder or into a jacket pocket.
  • Don’t pull out your pen and make notes on the card. This again is about respecting the giver and the card. 
  • When handing out a business card, the card is held with the print facing upright on the card so the receiver can read it.
Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

Fashion Tape Quick Fix for Hems

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Leaving the house and just noticed your hem coming down? As a certified professional image consultant my first suggestion would be to change into another outfit. However, in some circumstances this just isn’t possible. Instead of pulling out the safety pins or the duct tape…

Fashion Tape again, is the better solution. It will be less visible and do a better job then a homemade remedy.

Business Dress, Look Younger, Uncategorized, Wardrobe

How to Keep Your Bra Straps from Showing

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Over the past few years, a popular look for women has been wearing layered tank tops and casual camisoles with the bra straps showing. Although there may be a time and place for this look, it isn’t appropriate for every occasion. Unfortunately, many of us have a problem with bra straps slipping. If your budget or body shape doesn’t allow you the option for purchasing multiple bra styles, there are several great solutions:

Bra clips (which are available under a number of different names) are a plastic clip which will clip the bra straps together, holding them in the center of your back. http://www.thestrapper.com

When your bra style has the option for changing the straps, clear plastic bra straps work well. They stay in place and generally aren’t noticeable even when you are moving around.

Fashion Tape can also work to keep your bra straps in place.

Wardrobe, Women

Wardrobe Malfunctions – Stay-ups that Don’t Stay Up

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Ever have one of those really embarrassing moments? Although many of us think wardrobe malfunctions and mishaps only happen to celebrities like Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, it happens to all of us at one time or another… And recently it happened to me.

I was wearing stay-up hosiery. The kind with the silicone at the top, which is supposed to keep the hosiery in place. I was being escorted to my car by someone that I didn’t know very well, when suddenly I could feel one of my stockings sliding down my leg. How embarrassing!!!  Yes, even professional image consultants have their embarrassing moments.

Although there really are not guarantees, the stay-ups are in good condition, they are more likely to stay put. To keep them in good condition longer. Wash them in cold water with mild detergent and avoid the dryer.

Don’t try to extend their life. As soon as the silicone starts to peal off, it’s time for a new stocking. The nice thing about stay-ups though is that often only one is ready for the garbage. By buying the same brand in the same colour, you mix and match as needed.

Another thing to consider is what you have on you skin. They tend to stick better if they are clean, and worn on clean skin without any creams, lotions or powders.

If you have any other suggestions to keep your stay-ups from malfuncting, I would love to hear about them.

Business Dress, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

SUCCESS? Not with this Dress

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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??

What not to wear for Success
What not to wear for Success

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
Etiquette, Uncategorized

TECHNOLOGY VS CIVILITY – BY KIMBERLY LAW AICI CIP

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In the Toronto Sun today there is an article called Rules of dumb, has our high-tech evolution resulted in a lower standard of etiquette? It mentions a situation where a teacher took a cell phone away from a student and then read all of her saved text messages in front of the class. Obviously he did this out of frustration over the perceived lack of respect. However, were his actions more respectful? He obviously embarrassed the student.
Catherine Bell of Prime Impressions shares some great comments in this article on cell phones and technology from an etiquette perspective. When asked if the rules have changed, she says that the rules haven’t changed, but that people’s perceptions of them have changed and that is just as important. “The whole idea of civility and respect is wanting in all environments,” she says. “They’re throwing out the window the consideration for the people around them.”
So I guess the question is, whether consideration for the people around us is still important. Or has society evolved to a place where taking other people into consideration by using manners and etiquette is no longer important? And if so will this lead to a continuation of civilization as we know it or will it lead to chaos?

From my perspective as a certified image consultant and etiquette expert, it would seem that a society lacking in civility would be taking a step backward. Civility evolved over time to create order and respect in the lives of others and ours. However, lately I have seen examples of incivility everywhere. It is my personal belief that we need to get back to basics and consider before hand how our actions might affect others. Then act appropriately.

Business Dress, Colour, Make up, Men, Uncategorized, Wardrobe, Women

The Most Slimming Colour Combination

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As an image consultant, clients often ask me how to wear colour in a way that will help them look slimmer.

The most slimming colour combinations are when dressing in monochromatic colour schemes: This colour scheme is created by dressing in one colour and its own variations A simple way of achieving this is by tinting (adding white), toning (adding grey or the colour’s opposite in the colour wheel, its complement on the colour wheel), or shading (adding black). This creates different values and intensities of the same colour. When worn, it is commonly known as “tone-on-tone” dressing.

When used in a wardrobe, monochromatic colour schemes have a slimming effect and can make the wearer look taller.

They also create a harmonious effect and make the wearer come across as elegant and refined.

The unfortunate thing about dressing in monochromatic colour schemes is that sometimes they can look boring. One way to remedie this is by accessorizing with jewellery or with an accessory such as a scarf that adds a small splash of another colour. This will create a focal point and draw attention and add interest. When using a focal point in your wardrobe, be aware of where your focal point is drawing the attention. I always recommend focal points close to the face. This will draw attention to your face and away from less flattering areas of the body.