As an entrepreneur, one of the best ways to get the message out about what you have to offer is to speak. Whether it’s in front of the video camera or on stage in front of hundreds of women, your image will be the first thing people notice.
What many speakers don’t realize is that their image can help them catapult their credibility – or it can undermine it just as quickly.
Here are my top 5 tips to prevent distracting wardrobe disasters from happening:
1. Accessory Overload – Your jewelry must relate in some way. Piling on accessories just for the sake of filling up blank space is not going to do you any favors. You want to group your jewelry with a theme in mind. That theme could be gold, snakeskin, red, chain, leather, etc. Choosing accessories that relate to a specific theme will create a congruent look. When you adorn yourself, do it with intention, and you’ll be sure to create a perfect balance.
2. Underwear Mishaps – One of my least favorite things to see is when bad underwear happens to good people. We don’t want to know that you chose to wear a pink thong under your white pants. All we need to see is underwear that disappears into your outfit and leaves a smooth, sleek line. Opt for skin-toned lingerie under light colored fabrics, go for shapewear when wearing something clingy or form fitting, and never, ever let your thong show when you bend over!
3. Too Much T & A – Believe it or not, both men and women are distracted by a blouse that’s too low-cut or has an odd-shaped neckline that looks like it should reveal more than it does. Low cut tops or blouses will have people talking to your chest rather than your face, and leave them not hearing a word you say.
4. Rearview Meltdown – You’ve put together a great outfit and are ready to head out the door. But wait! Did you check out your rear view? I recently witnessed this and it wasn’t pretty. A lovely woman in a great outfit, yet as soon as she turned around it was blown by things that could have been avoided – her sweater and top left a gaping hole between where they met, she had bra bulges, and the heels of her shoes were badly scuffed. Her credibility just went right down the drain as it showed me her attention to detail was greatly lacking.
5. The Matching Game – Like accessories, your clothing should relate. People want to see harmony, not discord, so when the harmony is not obvious we spend our time trying to make the connection. Wearing clothing that doesn’t go together because of color, style, or fit can leave people wondering how that outfit came about rather than remembering your name or what you do.
When getting dressed you want to aim to wear clothing that fits and flatters you, leaving you to shine for all to see. Don’t let the little distractions cost you attention from potential clients, or leave you walking away from speaking with an audience that wasn’t really listening. When your outfit works for you, and is crafted to show off your assets and disguise your flaws, it makes you memorable for all the right reasons.
Michele Little is the Creator and Founder of the StyleFinder™ System that helps women create an authentic image that matches their message. It is her belief that all women are beautiful, and she is passionate about empowering women through personal style.
To learn more about Michele, or to schedule a Get Acquainted session to find out more about working together, contact her at Michele@OneChicMama.com.
