Work-at-home Image

Many times on a Saturday, I'm asked "where are you going"? And I say, to run errands. Then the comment is usually, "dressed like that"? My reply is that the teller at the bank, the cashier at the grocery store, the counter clerk at the post office and cleaners and the folks at the mall have eyes and noses too. Where am I going with this? While I don't put on my Sunday best or my power suit to run errands on Saturday, I will spritz my favorite perfume and don a cute pair of stiletto sandals in the summer or boots in the winter. Even if you wear jeans, you can dress them up with a cute blouse, accessorize with jewelry and/or a cute pair of shoes.

When I attended etiquette/modeling school in NY years ago, I'll never forget "Mrs. Wellington", (yes she was as stately as her name). who reminded us to present a positive image at all times. Gum should only be chewed in private, you never want to look like a cow, you never know who is watching. And even waiting for the bus or train or standing in line at the grocery store, be cognizant of your posture and the position of your feet--whether they're at 12:00, or one is at 2:00, or 10:00. From that I learned and my motto is "Life is a fashion show, every where you walk is your runway".

For stay at home moms and others who work from home. Unless you are a personal trainer, there's no reason why you should wear sweats daily (an even if you are, have fun with it, get matching sneakers for your tank top or shirt you wear under the jacket). Find a nice-fitting pair of jeans, get several cute, I mean really cute blouses to go with them. Also, purchase several pair of casual slacks and at least one skirt. Always put on some kind of make-up, whether you're a lipstick kind of girl, eyeliner, blush or the full made up face. It adds color to your natural radiance. Even if you only go out the house to drop the kids off, take them to the bus stop or pick-up the newspaper or mail. Dress like your best friend from high school or college is coming over. You wouldn't pull those wrinkled khakis out of the laundry basket and pull them on, would you? Always present yourself as you want to be perceived. Folks you encounter should not be able to tell whether you work from home or in corporate America.

Every time I hear someone say, you can work from home in your pajamas, I cringe. You can, but it's not appropriate (yes even in the privacy of your own home). For many of us, our attire dictates our attitude. If you don't think this is accurate then why do you come out of the suit or dress and put on some more "comfortable" clothes as soon as you get home from church, work, or a business meeting. You feel like, aah, now I can relax-but remember many times when you relax your body, you also relax your mind. So even if you work at home, there should be a certain business sense about what your doing. You shouldn't give someone else's business a better image than you give your own.

I recall when I worked with the federal government, towards the end of my tenure, I worked from home two days a week. I would arise when the alarm clock sounded, shower and get dressed like I was going to work (except the jacket). Why? It made me feel like I was taking care of business. Again, you don't have to look like you have a meeting with the CEO in five minutes, but it should be something that you could easily dress up or dress down. What if a client or potential client says, I have a great deal for you, but only if I can see you in the next 15 minutes? You should be ready at all times. And even if this never happened. Always, always look and feel your best, it is proven that there is a direct correlation between how you look and how you feel. Give yourself something to smile about. Let your husband or children come in one day and say, where have you been? Or where are you going? Just tell them, I've proven my point, Image is everything!