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Stick to your Style Guns
Can your friends and colleagues rely on you to dress in a certain way? Are you known for being totally consistent in your personal style? Or are you a little schizophrenic?
I remember well the day “Handsome Hunk” moved in next door. As a stay at home Mum of two very young children his arrival was a complete tonic for the baby blues. Although happily married, it obviously stirred up distant pleasant memories of feeling attractive. But what was his “type”??
I tried “Sporty Hot Mum” – baseball cap and hoody. Then I tried “Glamorous Mum” in knee length high boots. Then I thought that might look too “put together” so went for “just threw this outfit together and doesn’t it look amazing Mum”. None of those were really me. I almost cried with frustration the day he bought a girlfriend home – she was just, well, normal. Very natural and feminine. “But I’m like that really” I wanted to scream.
And that was my big lesson in just being YOURSELF.
This is especially true in a business context and crucial for those of us who are self-employed. Yes, people will check out your website and admire your business card…but ultimately they will buy YOU. They need to know that you are consistent in your approach and utterly reliable. Words will only go so far in convincing them that you are “rock steady”.
I recently came across a coach who obviously had a great eye for colour and style. However, I couldn’t pin down what she stood for. One day she would be all artistic and bohemian and the next Ms Prim and Proper. Much as I liked her as a person, I didn’t feel able to recommend her as a credible coach.
But if you are nodding in agreement because black trousers and plain jumper are always consistent….then think again. Consistency does NOT mean boring and bland. That won’t win you any customers because you will be forgotten almost immediately. Consistency means getting clear on your personal and business values and then ensuring that these are conveyed in the way you dress.
For example, I love to work with creative types. I don’t do neat and classic. I get a buzz from moving clients up a notch or two in the style stakes – to be more edgy, sharp and exciting. So that determines the way I dress BUT doesn’t limit the clothes I can wear. I simply apply those values to my entire wardrobe – from casual to formal and everything in between.
So what are your values?
What types of people do you wish to attract – personal or business?
Get clear and consistent on these. It certainly makes shopping and dressing a whole lot simpler if you are not trying to embody all five Spice Girls at once….
Katherine B
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About the author
Name: Katherine Blyth
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Website: http://www.katherineb.com
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