The physical image you present is more than your posture, gestures and facial expression. Research confirms that your clothing, accessories and general appearance have a significant impact on how you are perceived from both a competence and confidence point of view.

Our society has many unwritten rules about acceptable and unacceptable appearance. Your audience will make many important assumptions unconsciously based on the impressions that you elicit as you appear for the first time in front of them. This material addresses some simple guidelines for ensuring that your physical appearance is an asset that supports your overall "personal branding" and image goals.

Physical Appearance
Rightly or wrongly, an individual who is generally attractive will be received more positively than someone who is unattractive. Our society has expectations and we create normative values around physical features such as height, weight and body shape. We cannot alter these beliefs, but we can be aware of them. A positive image begins with a body that reflects general good health, well being and fitness.

Clothing
In general, understated and conservative clothing is preferable to the "trendy" fashion statements that you are able to make in your clothing choices. Avoid strong contrasts in colour or clashing styles unless you are presenting to a large audience where dominant colour will keep you in the spotlight is most desirable.
As a general rule, shirts or blouses should be lighter than the suit or skirt worn with it. Ties or scarves should be darker than the shirt or blouse chosen. Avoid bow ties or unusual or distracting accessories. Bulging pockets, loose change or anything else that detracts from your presentation should also be avoided.

Grooming
The conservative, well-groomed look is preferable to a highly styled appearance with shocking hair colour or spiked hair. Males should avoid facial hair as facial hair does not "test well" when respondents are canvassed. Females should avoid heavy make-up, extremely long nails and of course, the ankle bracelet. Both sexes should avoid the overuse of fragrance due to allergies that so many seem to have these days.

Shoes
Well-polished shoes in dark colours and traditional styles will always be acceptable. Choose comfortable, familiar shoes that allow you to move with confidence. New shoes or very high heels can be a liability and a distraction to the expressive presenter. Remember for women, open toes are for after six and for men I say that loafers are for "loafing".

Jewelry

Large, flashy pieces of jewelry can be a visual and auditory distraction. Simple items of obvious high quality promote a positive overall image. Wrist jewelry that makes a noise should be avoided as this too can distract the listener and observer. There exists a general rule that no more than "5" total items of jewelry should be worn at any time.

Men - Appropriate Attire

Consider a visit to a major bank tower or law firm and view how the successful professionals dress in senior positions. That is how you should dress. Even if your office subscribes to business casual dress code, dress just a little better than most of the people around you. Men do not often view clothing as an investment but they should. Budget for high quality clothing and purchase a few new articles every year. When you feel good in clothes, you act more confidently.

To follow are many "safe" and effective choices:

Dark blue suits, dark grey or black in summer and winter

Subtle "pin stripes" but no heavy "chalk stripes" on suits. For television appearances or if you are being video-taped, never wear stripes as the stripes affect the overall contrast adjustment with most studio equipment

Lighter shirts and bright, contrasting ties for higher impact. I like red or red and yellow for large groups, yellow ties for smaller groups and a combination of softer reds, blues and yellow tones for smaller meetings and presentations

Quality cut and fabric on your suits are essential. With new fashion warehouses you can purchase supreme quality garments at lower costs. Be careful in your selections when your begin to "build" your wardrobe and view your wardrobe as an important investment in yourself and in your career

Heavy men should wear more tailored suits in darker colours

Short men -I recommend no cuffs on pants. Medium to tall in height men, cuffs on trousers

Ties should be made of silk (Italian or British manufactured are the best)

Quality shoes, preferably laced and no loafers

Leather briefcases and portfolios without scuff marks, and in top condition

Show ½ inch of shirt cuffs over suit sleeves. I recommend French cuffs with appropriate cuff links for senior executive

Good form and posture at all times will make your clothing look great

Men- Inappropriate Attire

Seersucker or light summer weight garments such as linen suits and shirts after Labour Day

Winter weight garments in summer

Short sleeves except in casual wear

High fashion or fad items except "in ties" in some industry groupings

Vinyl or patent leather anything

Religious or club insignia

Dark brown suits, they test very poorly

Medium to light green suits (they also test poorly)

Women - Appropriate Attire

A professional image is dictated by a broader range of fashion colour but be conservative in design. Consider having a colour chart done in order to wear clothes that complement your natural skin tones and features. This may ensure a better and higher impact. Look around at the successful women in senior positions at major bank towers and law firms. Generally, that is how you should dress. It is said that you should consider dressing "one to two levels upward" on your natural career progression chart. Observe your organizational culture and how women of success within your organization dress and follow these patterns.

To follow are a few choices that are designed to support your overall image goals:

Tailored jackets and skirts or dresses in a classic cut

Black, dark to medium blue, camel or winter white are the best choices for maximum impact

Wool gabardine is an excellent material for all seasons

Skirts and jackets can be accompanied by a bright blouse

Superior quality leather shoes purses and cases

Accessorize quietly unless presenting to a large group when louder colour should be used, I like bright red/blue, green or yellow jackets when presenting to audiences over 20

5 total pieces of jewelery including earrings (which count as two pieces)

Hair colour, if used, must be routinely maintained

Quiet nail polish to complement lip colour and outfit unless you are presenting to a larger group

Quality coats in navy, black, grey or camel and a wonderful scarf to complement

Make-up should be worn quietly, avoid obvious imitation lashes and nails

Perfume should be worn sparingly, never apply fragrance with your hands

Classic gold or black pen

Good form and posture at all times to make your clothing look great

Women - Inappropriate Attire

Summer weight and white garments after Labour Day

Winter and heavy garments after May 24th

Fabrics with a high polyester blend

Male suit imitations or fashion fads

Heavy, clanging and distracting jewelry

Heavily patterned hose (you focus the observer to your legs)

Satin, brocade or lace during the day (this is evening wear)

Anything vinyl (patent leather is o.k.)

Showing your toes before 5:00

Very high heels before 5:00

Men and Women - Manners Update

Rise when a very senior person enters the room

Hold the door for others when your arrive firstly (men and women)

Extend your hand immediately when introduced (women and men)

Introduce a junior to a senior properly (Martha, I would like to introduce Jack who has just started with the company. Jack, I would like to present Martha, our company president)

Women should remain seated when introduced to a man at a table, men should rise immediately

Be confident and assertive at large functions, keep up with current events and do some research on each of the attendees prior to the event to ensure that you are "event comfortable" at all functions

Use humor to diffuse anxious, tense moments when forgetting names ( Oh Martha, I even forget my sister's name!)

Use eye contact and a gentle smile with everyone you are speaking with-they should feel that they are the most important person in the room

Manners - Eating Update

A good restaurant always knows that the person who takes the lead at a restaurant pays the bill. Do not allow your guests to proceed before you when locating your table, always take the "lead" and have your guests follow

Seat a special guest or the most senor person to the right of you at a function or at a dinner in your home

Know your table manners at a luncheon or dinner. Know the differences between the "Continental" and "American" styles of eating and stick to one style

Your table napkin and side plate are always located to your left, your water at the extreme right, think of "BMW" bread, meal and water in that order from left to right

Start with the outside cutlery and work you way inward toward the main or place or "charger" plate

Do not slurp your soup, wave your knives and forks or speak ever, with food in your mouth. There are two locations for your cutlery- on your plate or in your hands

Be discreet if you find a "beast" in your soup

Know where to place your water from your wine glass, the different wine glasses and become "eating comfortable" in all venues

Any bread, buns or rolls should be broken into bite sized pieces, then butter if required. Do not, under any circumstances butter entire portions of bread, buns or rolls

When hosting, wait for your guests to be seated, and then seat yourself approaching your chair from the right side when possible

When hosting, ask your guests if there is anything your can assist them with and ask "how is your food?"

Insist upon properly served food and beverages, learn your servers name prior to the lunch or dinner

Never pick up plates at a restaurant, even if slightly awkward

Table napkins should be placed on the chair when you leave the table and to the left of the plate or on the plate when you have finished your meal

Thank your host verbally and in writing within 48 hours and be gracious about it