Seven Secrets for Looking More Dynamic

Have you ever been treated with less respect than you think you deserve? Have people ever wasted your time or kept you waiting? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be surprised to learn that it may have something to do with image.

The problem may be that you don’t look important. Think about it, if you saw a distinguished-looking business professional who was obviously an important person, would you keep him or her waiting? Would you be disrespectful? Chances are, you wouldn’t. We treat important people with more respect, and they are often given deference in terms of service.

Want to be treated like a VIP? Then change your image. It could be that the missing ingredient is right there in your closet! And it’s not your comfy Bermuda shorts or jogging suit.

Secret#1: Choose Winning Colors:

The darker the color, the higher the authority.
Pastels decrease authority and may cause you to look passive, powerless. White is not a pastel, nor is bright yellow.
Earthy (grunge) colors from the Autumn palette make most people look less dynamic, because they easily suggest country weekend. This includes most shades of beige, brown, camel, moss green and dark olive green.
Brown is not a business color. The color of the earth, brown suggests country weekend, retirement, monks. It can easily look matronly on women.
Neon colors such as orange and lime green are flashy, while rich colors like racing green and magenta are classy.

Secret#2: Choose Garments that Suggest Power:

Men should wear dark trousers instead of chinos or khakis.Wear them with a French blue cotton shirt instead of a polo or T-shirt and you will look very classy. Navy blue jackets, in particular, look businesslike and authoritative on nearly everyone, and they can be worn without a tie and still make you look distinguished. Team your jacket with light or dark trousers, but never belt your trousers below the natural waistline. It not only prevents you from looking classy and polished, it makes a protruding stomach more prominent.
Women need not stick to skirts, suits or dresses to look important. Pantsuits can work just as well when you want to look distinguished. Choose flattering and bold colors to stand out. In warm weather team your pants (or skirt) with a short-sleeved shell instead of a polo shirt and you will stand out more. Don’t forget to accessorize (see below).Remember: mid-calf skirts do not make you look thinner – they make you look matronly and less dynamic. Ankle-length skirts may be sliming, but they are also severe looking.

Secret #3: Men--Wear Classy Shirts and Ties when you wear a suit:

The most important rule of all: Your tie must dominate both your shirt and your suit. This means that you absolutely do NOT want to match your tie with your shirt. No exceptions. This is a “headed for Vegas look.”
With dark suits, wear ties in bold colors such as red, burgundy or yellow. Don’t wear red and yellow together, however, as the combination suggests food, not business.
Avoid non-business patterns such as cartoon-character motifs or floral prints, since they make you look less professional.
The best patterns are stripes, discreet polka dots or any small repeating-pattern, like those seen in classic Ivy League patterns. Whatever you do, never wear a tie with horizontal stripes. The line is jarring to the eye and causes the eye to drop from the face to the tie. The tip of your tie must end at the belt.
Wear white cotton shirts that are well cut. Avoid pastels like pink and oxford blue because they make you look washed out and passive. French blue, on the other hand, is a very flattering color, but make certain it is not too dark or it will look gangsterish. Another good choice is a crisply striped blue and white shirt. Yellow shirts are also fine.

Secret #4: Women--Wear Bold Accessories:

Bold accessories give a look of success and worldliness.
Earrings are a must. Good examples are wide elongated and chunky hoop earrings that resemble a large oval wedding band; as opposed to thin round hoops that make one think of gypsies or teenagers. Wide elongated hoops hug the face and are seen as a part of you. Doorknocker earrings that are elongated also hug the face, unlike large round doorknockers that tend to stand out more than you do. Clip earrings that are flat and either oval or round tend to look conservative and stern. Studs are fine, but they remain “neutral” and do not add power.
Bold necklaces and pins are also good power accessories. Take note that single-strand pearls and scarves very often look more like “ladies lunch” than “business.” It is always a good idea to give the impression that you are a professional.

Secret #5: Women—Wear Professional Makeup

The latest findings from professor of psychology Judith Waters, PhD, it pays to wear professional-looking makeup. Women with professional makeup were all relegated to a salary range up to 20% higher when resumes with photos attached were presented to 500 HR executives. Makeup will also assure others that you have not retired and “given up.” Here’s what professional-looking makeup entails:

Look for foundations with subtle pink undertones rather than peach or yellow tones. They will make you look less “made up” because ninety-per cent of the population has cool skin and looks better in “pinks.” Try an orchid-toned pink blusher.
Avoid blue, green and turquoise eye shadow. Wear neutral browns and dusky purple tones.
Avoid brown-toned lipstick. It makes you look washed out and dreary. For a natural look, try soft orchids; for a power look try fuchsia, cherry red or true red. Avoid orange lipstick – it is aggressive looking.

Secret #6: Keep it Simple with Shoes

Keep shoes very simple and unobtrusive. Feet should not be noticed, and scuffmarks and dingy-looking shoes take the attention from YOU. If others feel compelled to look at your shoes, socks or stockings, something is wrong.

Secret #7: Develop good posture

Develop good posture. It is worth a million dollars in terms of image. Stand up straight, take a deep breath and get a “proud chest.” Maintain that posture, but let the shoulders relax a little when you exhale. You will look self assured and successful! The only thing you need to add is a friendly smile and you are sure to have any door opened. TIP: This is also the posture you want when your photo is taken.