Your Style

Be Courteous to People at All Times

It’s Friday and the day I request you join me in my campaign for 2012 to change “Casual Friday” to  “Etiquette Friday”,  to get people and companies involved. If we consciously make an effort every Friday then hopefully it will become a habit every day.  I challenge you to make one small change a week and by the end of the year let’s hope we have a more pleasant and positive society.

It is important to be courteous to people at all times, including your colleagues, visitors to your office , waiting staff in restaurants, sandwich bars, when travelling on public transport or driving a car. If you are pleasant to people they are more  likely to be pleasant to you. As a customer or client when you are polite they are also more likely to give you better service and if it is a place where you see people on a regular basis they will enjoy your company and feel warmer towards you.

7 reminders:

1. Do say “Excuse Me”: If someone is blocking your way and you would like them to move, say excuse me .
2. Mind your Ps and Qs – remember to say Please and Thank you .
3. Be on your best behaviour” -  meaning don’t be rude, be polite at all times.
4. Do say sorry when you have offended someone, knocked them when passing or made a mistake.
5. Attentive to visitors – when visitors arrive for a meeting ensure you smile, greet them, offer a drink and take their coat.
6. Speaking to people - as you would like to be spoken to.
7. Bad language - refrain from bad language, it offends others and you let yourself down.

Spring is here and so now is a good time to turn your attention to sorting out your wardrobe. The moth season begins soon so consider sending your winter coats, jackets, suits and your important items you are not wearing to the cleaners and then put them away in breathable garment covers that are free from moths and dust proof. For moth products see  Totalmothcare and quote “APPEARWARDROBE” for 20% discount as a client of mine.

There is something very positive and beneficial about tidying and getting rid of clutter. If you have a messy, untidy wardrobe/s - once sorted out you will feel much better, find clothes much easier and be more aware of what you have to wear with what. The job will be well worth it. You will feel so much better and more energised. You may discover things you had long forgotten, items that have been hidden in the back of your wardrobe!

The thought of sorting your clothes can be a bit overwhelming in which case divide the task into small sessions and listen to some music or have the TV on to help you enjoy the activity. Open your wardrobe and drawers and look at the session with enthusiasm.  View it as something new, which may well give you some creative ideas.

10 Tips to help sort and plan your wardrobe:

1. Lay the clothes out on your bed.
2. Divide the items into 4 piles – clothes definitely to go out, clothes to definitely stay, mending or revamp pile and the hardest – may go out.
3. Clean, vacuum and dust the wardrobe, and hang anti-moth items throughout your clothes and drawers.
4. Only hang back in the wardrobe the clothes you will definitely wear.
5. Fold or hang elsewhere the “may go out” pile. See if you miss them, if not they can go.
6. Hang same colour and same items together e.g. shirts, dresses, trousers, jackets, skirts.
7. Store away items you will not wear until next season.
8. Revamp dated or items you do not wear e.g. change buttons, shorten skirt.
9. Work out how you can mix and match the items.
10. Make a list of what you need for the season and what will help you to mix and match the items you have more effectively.

If you look after your clothes they will last longer, look better and it will save you money. Plus you will find it much easier each day to choose what to wear to “look, feel and be your very best”.

The summer social season will soon be upon us and it is always fun to attend many of the events, whether for personal or business reasons. However, it’s easy to feel self conscious, embarrassed or uncomfortable in your outfit if you do not wear the appropriate items for the occasion or that suit your personality. Ensure you give sufficient thought and allow sufficient time when choosing what to wear for the day.

Here are ten top tips to consider:

1. Rules – ensure you know the dress code for the event – the website will advise you
2. Outfits – avoid too tight, too short or all items too bright
3. Hats – for a plain outfit choose an elaborate hat, for a patterned outfit choose a plain hat 
4. Hat Rules – choose one to suit your size and face shape e.g. if a petite lady avoid a very large hat with a big brim
5. Hat pins – ensure your hat is securely fastened on your head; allow for strong breezes at the races 
6. Wear suitable shoes – choose comfort as well as style to suit the outfit; avoid high stiletto heels on grass 
7. Dress rehearsal – Try on the whole of your outfit and accessories before the day 
8. Jewellery – less is more, look elegant and avoid too much bling! 
9. Weather – the British weather is unpredictable, review the forecast and be prepared
10. Finally – smile, look happy, socialise and enjoy

Image credit for Ascot: Royal Ascot

Let’s Change Casual Friday to Etiquette Friday

This is my campaign for 2012, to get people and companies involved.

Casual Friday is no longer appropriate in the current economic climate and it also gives out the wrong messages to people about a company’s brand. What directors and senior managers need to do is decide what their company stands for and how the employees need to dress and behave to represent their company every day.

Many people’s behaviour is perceived as lacking consideration, sometimes bordering on discourteous and disrespectful, and yet they may not have done it intentionally. It is important for us all to be thoughtful, have good communication with others and to treat them how we would like to be treated ourselves.  There are so many written rules and guidelines on etiquette and there is no way we can know or agree with them all. However, etiquette is for everyday use, it’s not about being a snob. As I once read, good manners are invisible, subtle, silent and effortless. It’s knowing what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Good manners used correctly put people at ease and are a way of being friendly and approachable.

Why launching and why it matters

If we consciously make an effort every Friday then hopefully it will become a habit every day.  I challenge you to make one small change a week and by the end of the year let’s hope we have a more pleasant and positive society. A polite society!

Keep in mind to be courteous and thoughtful to other people around you, regardless of the situation. Consider other people’s feelings, stick to your beliefs, be as tactful as possible and do apologise when necessary.

Each week I will blog with comments, guidelines and tips that you may find helpful in work and in social situations.

Why the cup and saucer? Traditionally tea in a  cup and saucer is associated with British afternoon tea,  grace and manners.

During the last 10 -15 years people have become more relaxed in their dress and the lines between weekend and office clothes have become blurred. When “Casual Friday” came in for office workers, people became confused about what they should wear and unfortunately, given an option, people chose more weekend casual wear than office casual wear and have also become more unkempt.

There are now many people who work from home and think it is ok to even be in their pyjamas in the middle of the day.

As, an image consultant, I advise people when working at home to still look neat, tidy and represent their wardrobe personality. This will help them produce their best work, feel comfortable and think positively and professionally.

If you work from home ask yourself:

• Do you dress in clothes that you feel good in?
• If someone was to knock on the door would you be confident with your appearance?
• When you answer the phone are you feeling the part?

In the image business we often talk about the four level’s of casual wear to suit the various circumstances in people’s lifestyle and they are:

Formal – most formal e.g. business suits

Semi-Formal – casual business jackets

Casual – weekend casual collared,  shirts, sweaters

Informal – exercise clothes e.g. sweats,  swimsuits, exercise apparel

Casual wear does not mean sloppy or unkempt. Untidy and sloppy gives an indication your work will be the same.

When you go to work ask yourself:

• Are my clothes appropriate for my job , my personal image and my company’s brand?
• If you wear casual wear to work does it inspire confidence and encourage trust?
• Would you be comfortable seeing a top boss in your clothes or having a picture taken for the company’s website?
• Do clients and colleagues see the true you?
• Do people look at you and know you are serious about your business?

Check out your wardrobe of clothes for the office, look at yourself in the mirror and see if you need to smarten up and start wearing what is appropriate for you and your job.

As I always say “When you dress the part, you look and feel the part and then people will think you are the part.”

As an image consultant I regularly advise my clients on what suits to purchase and always recommend they purchase the best quality they can afford and ensure the jacket and trousers fit them correctly. It is also important to then maintain the suit in good order.

A good quality suit costs a lot of money and to make it last it is important that you look after it and keep it maintained in good order.

Here are some tips:

1. Avoid putting heavy items in the suit pockets as it can strain the joints.
2. Avoid items in trousers pockets as they will spoil the shape and line of them.
3. Before you sit down unbutton the jacket and then when seated pull the trousers up  so you don’t pull the fabric too much.
4. Take your suit off when you get home.
5. Remove items from the pockets (preferably avoid putting items in trousers pockets in the first place).
6. Brush to remove dust and dirt.
7. Hang it on a wooden hanger outside your wardrobe for at least 24 hours to have time to air.
8. Press the trousers in a trouser press or regularly steam press the creases out.
9. If the jacket becomes creased hang it in a steamy bathroom , or in your shower after you have showered, ensuring it doesn’t get wet.
10. Do not wear the suit on consecutive days; natural fibres such as wool need time to recover.
11. Only dry clean two or three times a year.
12. If a heavy or light suit is worn in the winter or summer, repsectively, then clean and put away in a suit holdall during the season you do not wear it.

Look after your suit and it will look after you. Being well groomed ensures you look professional at all times.

Like these suits then try http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/

Joan Collins has a new book out  and she recently mentioned on the BBC Breakfast that women over 40 should be careful wearing jeans and then only in a dark colour and with a jacket. For more detail, read the article in the Daily Mail. One of her comments stated:

“No one is born glamorous, but anyone can acquire glamour”.

Furthermore,  Wayne Hemmingway, fashion designer,  mentioned on the BBC Breakfast, that he no longer wears jeans as he thinks when you get to a certain age you shouldn’t wear them.  He has revamped his wardrobe.

So what age do you think you should be when you don’t wear jeans?

I think it depends on:

• Wearing the correct style for your figure.
• Preferably wear a jacket (as you get older and have a less firm, flabbier or no bum).
• Match the tops to your jeans to suit your shape and the style of the jeans.
• Whether you feel comfortable and they reflect  your wardrobe personality
• Where you wear them, is it appropriate for the occasion and do they represent you properly.

My 90 year old father-in-law looks good in jeans and loves wearing them. Since he reached 80 years of age  he only wears then when he is doing house chores, going for a walk in the woods or coming to us for a BBQ; he never wears them to go into town or to a restaurant.

I wear jeans to do house chores, gardening and sometimes food shopping. They are dark brown or dark navy, never pale jeans. I, also ensure that my items on the top are covering my weaker areas and the style is complimentary to my shape. My wardrobe personality  is also not comfortable with denim. I have only enjoyed wearing jeans since lycra was added. I hate stiff cotton fabrics. Whereas, my husband loves stiff cotton and feels comfortable in denim.

The key is depending on what wardrobe personality type you are – sporty, gamin/e and casual personalities will be  the most comfortable and keen to wear them. Dramatics, Fashion Fads and Romantics will enjoy this season’s coloured and pattern jeans.

The latest fashion of bright coloured and pattern jeans will bring more attention to your bottom half, so how good is your bum and legs?

Image credits: Wayne Hemmingway via Hemmingway Design and Donna Ida Tops Designer Collections.

The new season is full of items of clothing and accessories with patterns from checked, florals, graphics and animal prints.  For women patterns are seen for bottoms, tops, dresses, scarves, shoes and bags.  Men there are patterns for shirts, jeans, trousers and travel bags. If you want to be on trend then many of the designers have several patterns to wear at the same time. A lot will depend on your wardrobe personality as to how you will enjoy wearing them.

As an image consultant, I suggest considering the following tips:

1. Wear size of  patterns that reflect your frame and height e.g.  Small frame -   small patterns, large frame – large  patterns. Large prints on a petite person’s body will look out of proportion to their height.
2. Patterns bring  attention – wear patterns that compliment the best areas of your body.
3. Feel too large for  patterns – consider a bag or scarf.
4. Pattern scarves add  interest to a plain outfit and bring attention to your face.
5. Ensure you match the  prints to plain outfit.
6. Add a pattern item  for interest to  a neutral colour  outfit.
7. Wear neutral tone  shoes with pattern clothes

An interesting article by Mica Paris,  in the Daily Mail 8th March, “Why we black women are happier with our bodies than our white friends.”

As a Welsh white woman with a curvy body there are several of us white women with a curvaceous body who would also not wish to have a straight figure and prefer to be made with breasts, bottoms and well-developed quads.  We are, in general, happy with our shape, both allowing for and considering our age.

Mica mentions,  what she was taught by her grandmother.  I whole heartily agree as I was also taught by my grandmother and over the years have developed and learnt how to make the most of what I have rather than wishing for what I haven’t.   In short I have learnt to:

• Always pay attention to your appearance.
• It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, just good planning each season and only buying what you need.
• Always be well groomed – clean nails, hands, hair, shoes and well pressed clothes.
• Don’t step outside the door until you have checked yourself in the mirror.
• Dress to suit you, your shape and not what is in a magazine.
• Looking good makes you feel good and gives you confidence.

Whatever your skin colour and body shape it is important you make the most of yourself. Always give yourself a little time and make some effort then you will reap the rewards, feel happier and people will enjoy being with you.