I believe every woman is different and has her own personal style DNA and therefore needs individual, personalised advice on how to create visual balance. I have always been passionate about giving women the relevant advice and the tools to dress themselves in the best way, to create a streamlined look using a woman's individual body shape and colouring.
When dressing for a professional image it is key to get first impressions right whether it is for an interview, meeting, client meeting, networking event or conference, because it will reflect your professional skill set as well how much you care and respect of having the job or wanting the job as well the position you are holding at that company. So, when you are getting first impressions right professional people feel they can relate to you and feel more understood when conducting business. Simply because they like what they see and therefore will trust you more easily and faster when working with you.
"In business you are dressing to have an impact on your bosses and teammates. If your clothes don't convey the message that you are competent, able, ambitious, self-confident, reliable and authoritative, nothing you say or do will overcome the negative signals emanating from your apparel." Betty Harragan (Author - Games Mother Never Taught You)
Women with authority need to apply a power dressing code when doing business, because it is their visual calling card of whom they are. The power dressing code starts first of all to dress right for their body shape and body features. Secondly women with authority need an outfit that they can rely on and feel comfortable and not restricted in any way-, so they can focus on their job 100%. Thirdly the power dressing code needs to be appropriate for age and position as well looking current. Their professional image needs to convey an image of knowing yourself, being up to date with current affairs as well ready and prepared no matter what they day will bring. Looking current doesn't mean buying constantly new outfits and dresses, but instead e.g. having a current haircut, make up or accessorising your outfit with current items. Important that your image shows that you put yourself together with care and respect- that you are looking groomed and kept. In business that means that you put attention, care and respect into your professional image, which will translate that you will do the same effort towards your work, company and clients.
If you want a client, colleague and a company to respect and invest in you, you have to make the first step. If you don't invest in yourself and don't show self respect why should they. Women with authority simply need to invest in themselves by paying attention to themselves, finding their signature look, buying investment pieces for a staple wardrobe and looking prepared and in control no matter what the day will bring. Dressing right takes strategy. In order to look and feel good we simply can't wear clothes based only on what we love!
"Dress shabbily; people remember the clothes. Dress impeccably; people remember the woman ".Coco Chanel
Dressing right is all about creating visual balance in your look. There are an infinite number of physical features and each person has their own unique combination of these. When it comes to looking good, it's not your size or shape that matters, it's the fit of your clothes. But fit doesn't equal suitability. Joy of Clothes has created a unique method of looking for lines that will create balance and harmony in your overall appearance as well. Fashion and style will allow for flexibility and creativity. These rules apply to everyone no matter what age, life style, work or play or budget. The goal is to create the illusion of a perfect body shape and the most perfect body shape is the neat hourglass figure, because it is the most balanced in its proportion. Therefore all the other body shapes follow this guideline to create body harmony.
Michaela Jedinak power dressing code step by step:
The first step to power dressing is honest self-assessment by assessing your body shape and body features. It is all being honest with yourself, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses: the same rules as in business. Every woman has features, which are better than others - the skill is bringing the good ones into focus and distracting from the weaker ones. A woman with authority has to look her best and there is no excuse about it, because she has the means and resources to ask an expert. As she would do the same when it would be a business matter. Power Dressing" means different things for different women - every woman is different in her needs, her build and her personality and therefore everyone needs to be evaluated in their own right. Important is that a woman with authority has a power wardrobe based on power outfits that she can rely on and feels comfortable in all day long no matter what the day will bring.
Once you have answered all these questions, you need to put all answers into context and it will give your very own dressing code based on your own STYLE DNA for a success power look for a woman with authority. Your STYLE DNA will give you your very own signature look that is complete unique and will make you stand out in business as one of a kind.
Dress gives one the outward sign from which people in general can, and often do, judge upon the inward state of mind and feelings.
H.M. The Queen
1. Assessment of yourself
•Body shape
•Body features e.g. neck, arm, waist, calves
•Proportion
•Scale
•Height
•Face shape
•Age
•Style personality
2. Assessment of your life style
•Location: Where do you live and work e.g. country, city, country, climate
•What position and work do you do? e.g. middle management or senior position? Corporate or media?
•Type of work e.g. in house, client facing, business travel
•What is your budget to spend?
3. Some tips
•Avoid of wearing too many designer labels in one look: It can create problems with your co- workers as well that you seem to "have it already " all and that you won't be enough motivated to give it all. It creates an image of being less approachable with other female colleagues who earn less. So, best to mix it up with High Street fashion, so female colleagues feel more related to you as well more understood. Plus your image creates a much more positive vibe about you.
•Be appropriate- don't mistake time with place. Each meeting differentiate to another due to many factors. So, make sure you take them all in before applying your power dressing code for that day. A business image should not be mistaken with a sexy or girlie look, but should be instead say" I am a strong, confident, ready for action business professional".
•Create your own signature look rather trying to be a bad copy of someone else. Don't try to be someone else or fill someone else shoes; make your own mark by working out what works for you.
•Style is nothing without a fit. When it comes to looking good, it's not your size or shape that matters, it's the fit of your clothes.
We have created a unique method of looking for lines that will create balance and harmony in your overall appearance. Fashion and style will allow for flexibility and creativity. These rules apply to everyone no matter what age, life style, work or play or budget. The goal is to create the illusion of a perfect body shape and the most perfect body shape is the neat hourglass figure, because it is the most balanced in its proportion. Therefore all the other body shapes follow this guideline to create body harmony. A beautiful dress is not going to make you automatically beautiful neither latest design by a new or iconic designer. But the right style will always make you look beautiful.