Your image should provide a glimpse into who you really are. If you don't believe it, walk into a room, step on a train or plane and then write down three things about three people whom you've never met. I guarantee you that you've formed opinions (and possibly facts) about who that person is, their socio-economic status, their personality and their profession. Studies have shown that people form an opinion about an individual in the first eight seconds they see them.
A couple of the basics services that an image consultant performs is color analysis and body type determination. Have you ever heard someone say, "I want to get my "colors done""? What they're referring to is color analysis. It's a scientific approach that takes ones skin, hair & eye color to determine what colors and shades of colors look best on them. That's one of the reasons why image consulting is about individuals or businesses or organizations helping individuals look their personal best. The goal is to bring out your own uniqueness.
Another great pearl of wisdom to have when achieving your personal best, is to know your body type, shape, or silhouette. Knowing your body shape will allow you to wear the right garments that create balance and allow you to give the illusion of a perfect body. Your body shape is determined by taking certain body measurements. And then purchasing garments that flatter your figure.
Your wardrobe should have such a range of clothing, so that whether you're invited to a barbecue or the inaugural ball, you should have something in your closet to wear. From a sporty outfit to a formal gown. To that end, let's talk about some closet basics or "must haves". Everyone should have at least one classic suit in one of the basic colors, black, blue, brown or gray. A white button-down shirt. A pair of dress slacks and three tops that can go with it. A skirt with at least three tops that can go with it, a black dress (for that impromptu cocktail invitation) and a pair of jeans. Obviously, this is not written in stone, you can always make additions and/or removals. Don't rely on a lot of trendy additions, for every trendy piece, you should add three classics. Don't forget to review, recyle & reward. Review what's in your closet, recyle (to charity) what you no longer wear or can no longer fit--(get a tax receipt for when you itemize. :) And then Reward yourself with a new piece. You can build your wardrobe over time, not overnight!
Stylish regards!
In upcoming posts: Accessories anyone?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Makeover
Welcome back to my weekly blog!
What do you think of when you think of having a makeover?
Make-up, hair cut/color, fashion, trends. Well, it could be all of the above and more. Instead of thinking of it as a makeover, think of it as an Image Update or a Lifestyle change. And remember, as time goes on, you can continue to reinvent yourself.
Attitude, Color, Wardrobe are not the only pieces but significant pieces in a makeover or what I prefer to call an Image Update.
What do you think people think of you when you walk into a room? Self confident, Fashion-conscientious, Intimidating. Believe it or not, a lot of this is determined through what we wear, the colors we wear and how we dress. What is your image saying about you?
Our motto is "A makeover without surgery". When is the last time you had a makeover? What questions do you have?
Tune in next time for subjects like body type (or shape) colors (what hue?) and wardrobe basics, closet must-haves!
What do you think of when you think of having a makeover?
Make-up, hair cut/color, fashion, trends. Well, it could be all of the above and more. Instead of thinking of it as a makeover, think of it as an Image Update or a Lifestyle change. And remember, as time goes on, you can continue to reinvent yourself.
Attitude, Color, Wardrobe are not the only pieces but significant pieces in a makeover or what I prefer to call an Image Update.
What do you think people think of you when you walk into a room? Self confident, Fashion-conscientious, Intimidating. Believe it or not, a lot of this is determined through what we wear, the colors we wear and how we dress. What is your image saying about you?
Our motto is "A makeover without surgery". When is the last time you had a makeover? What questions do you have?
Tune in next time for subjects like body type (or shape) colors (what hue?) and wardrobe basics, closet must-haves!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Extreme Casual?
Business Casual is defined as "smart" casual, which is a popular dress code that emerged in the 1990's in white-collar workplaces in Western countries. What started as Casual Fridays soon became Business Casual the entire week. The goal was so that more employees would feel more comfortable at work.
The business casual trend was started as companies wanted ways to give extra perks to their employees without it costing them any additional funds. So they thought if they didn't require their employees to wear "professional attire" i.e. suits, which can sometimes be on the pricey side depending on where you shop, there would be a "cost savings" instrumented by management and the employees would be comfortable and happy. Raising morale and productivity.
What they didn't bargain for is, how one dresses often dictates how one performs. For some, if their dress is casual, so is their attitude towards productivity. Many do not quite grasp the description of "appropriate" business casual. More relaxed, still professional. One's attire should be capable of being presented to the company's president's or the firm's most important client at a moment's notice.
Many company employees have taken Business Casual to a new level, they've tottered over into Weekend Casual, with hoodies and tennis shoes. And some have become too "relaxed" with the "relaxed" dress code. It is better to have on a suit and remove the jacket, than to have on a polo shirt and khakis and walk into a meeting with white shirts or worse yet, have an unannounced visit or someone calls in sick and you have to make a presentation pitch to a potential lucrative client. Overdressed is always better than underdressed.
Tip: Dress in layers. Keep a dark-colored jacket in your office/cubicle. Some men keep a new shirt in their drawer for those unexpected events. You may say, this doesn't apply to me, I work in the mail room, to that I say, dress for the position you want.
Ladies, do you need to be told that short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work? Tight, low-cut sweaters/shirts, mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the office. Jeans are rarely acceptable (and in my opinion should never be acceptable) as part of Business Casual. Any clothing that has words, terms or pictures, are out! The state in which some offices are currently, there's no place to go but up.
If in doubt, leave it out!
The business casual trend was started as companies wanted ways to give extra perks to their employees without it costing them any additional funds. So they thought if they didn't require their employees to wear "professional attire" i.e. suits, which can sometimes be on the pricey side depending on where you shop, there would be a "cost savings" instrumented by management and the employees would be comfortable and happy. Raising morale and productivity.
What they didn't bargain for is, how one dresses often dictates how one performs. For some, if their dress is casual, so is their attitude towards productivity. Many do not quite grasp the description of "appropriate" business casual. More relaxed, still professional. One's attire should be capable of being presented to the company's president's or the firm's most important client at a moment's notice.
Many company employees have taken Business Casual to a new level, they've tottered over into Weekend Casual, with hoodies and tennis shoes. And some have become too "relaxed" with the "relaxed" dress code. It is better to have on a suit and remove the jacket, than to have on a polo shirt and khakis and walk into a meeting with white shirts or worse yet, have an unannounced visit or someone calls in sick and you have to make a presentation pitch to a potential lucrative client. Overdressed is always better than underdressed.
Tip: Dress in layers. Keep a dark-colored jacket in your office/cubicle. Some men keep a new shirt in their drawer for those unexpected events. You may say, this doesn't apply to me, I work in the mail room, to that I say, dress for the position you want.
Ladies, do you need to be told that short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work? Tight, low-cut sweaters/shirts, mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the office. Jeans are rarely acceptable (and in my opinion should never be acceptable) as part of Business Casual. Any clothing that has words, terms or pictures, are out! The state in which some offices are currently, there's no place to go but up.
If in doubt, leave it out!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Business Casual
Has business casual gotten too casual? What's your take on Professional vs. Business Casual vs. Weekend casual vs. Sporty? Stay tuned...
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Greetings-
Welcome to Adiva Image Consulting!
Our services consist of color analysis, wardrobe makeover, personal shopping, business dress code and etiquette. We offer individuals personalized services by appointment and companies, corporations and/or firms, a corporate package. We can be retained for anything from a one hour lunch and learn to an ongoing bi-monthly, quarterly or annual update. Some folks have taken business casual to another level and many human resource personnel are trying to figure out ways to reign their employees back in.
Individuals may want to know what colors or shades of colors look best on them. What is their shape whether it be hour glass, rectangle, triangle, inverted triangle, etc. Or what is their personal style, classic, sassy, trendy, etc. All of those and many others can be answered, we're just an e-mail or call away.
We can also perform seminars for women or men groups, chamber of commerce, stay at home moms, etc. Everyone needs an image update from time to time, and the experience can leave you with greater confidence, boost self esteem and maybe even your personal or professional life.
I look forward to corresponding with you so you can "Walk into your Image", that's exclusively yours.
Welcome to Adiva Image Consulting!
Our services consist of color analysis, wardrobe makeover, personal shopping, business dress code and etiquette. We offer individuals personalized services by appointment and companies, corporations and/or firms, a corporate package. We can be retained for anything from a one hour lunch and learn to an ongoing bi-monthly, quarterly or annual update. Some folks have taken business casual to another level and many human resource personnel are trying to figure out ways to reign their employees back in.
Individuals may want to know what colors or shades of colors look best on them. What is their shape whether it be hour glass, rectangle, triangle, inverted triangle, etc. Or what is their personal style, classic, sassy, trendy, etc. All of those and many others can be answered, we're just an e-mail or call away.
We can also perform seminars for women or men groups, chamber of commerce, stay at home moms, etc. Everyone needs an image update from time to time, and the experience can leave you with greater confidence, boost self esteem and maybe even your personal or professional life.
I look forward to corresponding with you so you can "Walk into your Image", that's exclusively yours.
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