On Sunday, Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes gave an exclusive interview with First-Couple-to-be Barack and Michelle Obama. Barack Obama looked very presidential in a black suit with crisp white shirt and deep red tie. This suit combination works well because it is a flattering and authoritative look for most men. I’m also glad to see he favors slim-cut suits which look better than traditional styles for men with his build. I would like to suggest though, that a more effective suit color would be navy blue. While black definitely denotes authority, it can also be perceived as austere and unapproachable. (So it’s a good thing the President-elect has such a warm and easy-going smile!) Navy blue confers the same authority as black, but with the positive element of trust. This is why police officers wear navy and not black, which might remind people of the Gestapo. When he wears navy the simultaneous contrast naturally adds more color to his face and camouflages the bit of gray he’s begun to show after his historic marathon race to the White House.

Michelle beautifully illustrates this point of color in her classy navy sheath dress. She often chooses simple but elegant styles in solid colors that flatter her skin tone and light up her face. She has a high-fashion hairstyle and a bold multi-strand necklace (although she should try a larger pair of earrings to help frame her face). Her makeup is subtle, and just enough to show off her lovely smile and sparkling eyes.

As far as body language, it is a breath of fresh air to watch a political couple who are obviously very much in love with each other (note the constant hand-holding). Their style of banter is intelligent, respectful and playful as they poke fun at themselves as well as Steve Kroft. They often look one another in the eye and show they are paying attention when the other is speaking.

One last note: President-elect Obama forgot to unbutton his suit jacket while seated. (This would have prevented it from awkwardly bunching up during the interview.) As I’m sure he knows, a gentlemen always buttons his jacket when he stands, but he may unbutton it when he is seated.

Tune in to "WVEC (ABC) Channel 13 News":http://www.wvec.com/ at 5PM Eastern tonight (November 20th, 2008) and see these 12 fabulous women that are a part of the Good Morning America Factor Career Club of Chesapeake, VA.

We’ve had a fabulous day getting the royal treatment from some of my favorite local businesses.  High-fashion hairstyling that properly frames the face was provided courtesy of Anthony and Co.

The other night I saw a TV program discussing how the number of applications for holiday retail jobs is surging. But with most companies either drastically reducing seasonal help or eliminating it altogether, it’s a lot tougher to find that extra cash we all need so badly. One woman who was interviewed said she had applied to every single place she could think of and still hadn’t found work. She looked to be in her mid-40’s, not unattractive, wearing something akin to a polo shirt and casual pants with comfortable loafer-type shoes. Overall, her appearance was neat and clean. So what was she doing wrong? The instant I saw her I knew.  

Let‘s start with that tired old cliché: dress for success. We’ve all heard it, but ask yourself how seriously you take it. Even if this woman were applying for a job at Wal-Mart – where the uniform actually is a polo and khakis – she ought to look credible and professional. Especially during the current weak economy, she ought to take care that her image – her visual résumé – is as strong and error-free as her paper résumé. You wouldn’t dream of submitting your résumé without first having it proofed by as many people as possible. So too with your appearance. Having an image that is state-of-the-art can make or break your career and with so many companies making cut-backs, and consumers in a panic over spending, you need every tool to get ahead and stay there.

Here are powerful tips for creating an image that says YOU are the one who will get the job done:

1. Choose Winning Colors
The darker the color, the higher the authority. Pastels have the opposite effect, causing you to look passive and powerless. (White is not a pastel.) Many of us find earthy colors from the Autumn palette appealing, but they usually end up making us look less dynamic. These include most shades of brown, beige, camel, moss green and dark olive green. Neon colors such as orange and lime green tend to look too flashy. Instead, choose rich colors like royal blue and magenta, which are classy and give the impression of sophistication and professionalism.  

2. Choose Outfits that Suggest Power
Unlike men, we have plenty of clothing options and needn’t always wear suits. For instance, you can team a black skirt with a suit jacket in a bold color such as magenta, royal blue or purple. A navy blue suit looks great, but take care when pairing it with a white blouse that it doesn‘t end up looking like a uniform. A white shell works well, or you can try a red or fuchsia blouse instead. You can wear black with abandon as long as you wear fairly bold accessories and lipstick (pinks, reds) so that your face is the focal point, not your clothing. A knee-length skirt is the most flattering and most authoritative length. Mid-calf skirts do not make you look thinner – they make you look matronly and less dynamic. Ankle-length skirts may be slimming, but they are also severe looking. If you must choose between an ankle-length skirt and pants, you’re probably better off with the pants.

3. Wear Bold Accessories
Bold accessories give a look of success and worldliness. Earrings are a must. Wide, elongated and chunky hoop earrings that resemble a large oval wedding band are good examples because they hug your face and are seen as part of you. Thin round hoops are not professional; they make most people think of gypsies or teenagers. Studs are fine, but they remain “neutral” and do not add power. Bold necklaces and pins are also good power accessories, but note that single-strand pearls and scarves very often look demure, not business-like. A note about shoes: keep them simple, clean and unobtrusive. Feet should not be noticed. If a potential employer or client feels compelled to look at your shoes, socks or stockings, something is wrong.

4: Wear Professional Makeup
According to the latest findings from Judith Waters, PhD, professor of psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, it pays to wear professional-looking makeup. In this study, resumes with photos attached were presented to 500 HR executives. Women with professional makeup were all awarded a salary range up to 18% higher than those who either wore inappropriate colors or no makeup at all.  

5: 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! Along with a friendly smile, you will look self-assured and successful!

1. Dress for Success.

There’s a reason that old adage has survived. It is especially important during the current weak job market. Eric Wilson recently wrote an article for The New York Times entitled “The Return of the Interview Suit.” With the sobering reality of “the unemployment rate in America at a 14-year high and more than half a million jobs lost in the last three months alone,” Wilson writes that there is a clear shift back toward serious business attire. Your image is your visual resume. You already know that your paper resume must be impeccable, free of mistakes, and give the impression that you are the one who will get the job done. You’ve probably even had it proof-read several times. So too with your appearance. You don’t know what you don’t know about your image, and in this tough economy you’ll want all the leverage you can get. An image consultant is trained to notice the miniscule yet key details you might not see, as well as offer other important impression strategies and tricks of the trade. Always remember the way you look and dress announces the outcome others can expect from you, and you’ll be treated accordingly.

2. De-cluttering: Was there ever a more beautiful word?

The number of professional organizers has grown exponentially over the last decade. Clearly, Americans are expressing their frustration over having too much stuff. A recent study found that women wear only twenty percent of their wardrobe 8 of the time. That translates into a whopping 80 of your clothes that are either worn rarely or not at all. Ask yourself how many items (impulse buys, bargains, or buyer‘s remorse) in your closet still have tags. How many pieces did you forget you own because they were hidden behind other things you don’t wear? An image consultant will help you sort through the piles in your closet, keeping everything that works, showing you how to salvage the good-but-not-great pieces, and creating a powerful and efficient workhorse of a wardrobe.  

3. Don’t be a Slave to Fashion.

Coco Chanel said “fashion is made to become unfashionable.” Think about it: designers are always competing for your business, declaring what’s in, and pushing the envelope on trends that are often unflattering or barely wearable. How often have we caved in, buying that current fashion trend just because everyone else was wearing it? But have you ever actually looked at the designers themselves? Chances are, you won’t see them wearing their own latest runway fashions. Designers have developed their own style and it’s often classic and timeless; they know what works and they‘re sticking to it. An image consultant will show you how to shop for those styles that flatter your figure and make the most of your natural assets. Armed with the right information, you can be stylish at any moment, in any season, during any trend. For decades to come.

4. It is Not a Luxury.

Repeat that to yourself: It is Not a Luxury. A luxury is something that is desirable but nonessential. An investment is a purchase that you should be able to use for a long time. It takes less than ten seconds for a person to form a long-lasting impression of you. In that time, they’ve determined – right or wrong – how successful you are, how intelligent you are, and how worthwhile you are. Clearly, your image is a worthwhile investment. When you know you look good, you radiate confidence, success and power. What‘s more, dressing well is an act of self-love. It shows that you respect and care about yourself. It is also a subconscious nod to those around you that you respect and care about them as well. They are consequently drawn to you – and they accord you immediate credibility and respect. That is no small thing.

5. It’s the Economy, Stupid!

Although the idea of hiring an image consultant can seem daunting to your wallet, take a moment to think about how much you spend on clothes, make-up, hairstyling, accessories, jewelry, and shoes annually. Now think about what percentage of that you can chalk up to bad decisions and experimentations gone awry. The truth is, hiring an image consultant has little to do with being wealthy or becoming a fashionista. The decision to work with an image consultant is a decision to invest in yourself. It is as important to your lifestyle and career as working with a financial planner. An image consultant shows you how to find clothes that fit properly and flatter your body, how to choose colors that make you look youthful and dynamic, and how to shop smart so that you pull together a wardrobe that works for you and not against you. Just as you’d expect your financial planner to get the most out of your dollar, your image consultant will do the same for your clothing, your image and your dollar.

As an image consultant, I’ve been following First Ladies for many years.  Most of them are “adopted” by designers who educate them and dress them in the worldly and sophisticated manner deserving of the wife of the President of the United States.  Very few First Ladies came into the role with the look they left with, and Michelle Obama will probably be no exception.  Even Jackie Kennedy, known for her style, was taken under the wing of Oleg Cassini and groomed and shaped to become the fashion icon she was known to be.  She dressed in something close to a preppy style before becoming First Lady.  It is likely that Michelle will choose designers she likes, but I expect her style will evolve.  I loved her purple dress—it’s a great color for her; and Maria Pinto is a rising star.  The Victory Speech dress by Narciso Rodriguez missed the beat, and I wonder if someone is already advising Michelle about her attire.  The “line” of this dress was all wrong.  It makes her hips look much wider than they are, and it makes her tummy look like it protrudes.  Michelle has the most common figure flaw for women: wider at the “middle“—in other words, at the hips, waist and tummy.  I expect she liked the design, thinking the black line at the waist would make her waist look smaller.  It did, but at the same time, the red pattern was almost round; and round lines suggest roundness or fullness.  For her figure type, this would be a No No.  The colors were great, and I wish she had worn an all-red dress.  She would look divine!  Especially if she added red lipstick.  It would make her face pop and her eyes sparkle!

I’d also like to add (as a corporate image consultant) that in order to look more worldly and elegant, Michelle should consider suits in jewel tones.  She would look especially good in fuchsia, magenta, cherry red and more of thos wonderful violet colors she has already worn.  She should avoid orange and lime green, as they are food colors and not as classy as jewel tones.

Your thoughts?

Interactive Image Webinars        

Join me in another informative Interactive WEBINAR with slide show that will enable you to increase your bottom line—and your confidence!  

COLOR: It Can Make or Break You!  

DATE: Monday, November 3, 2008
TIME: 7:00 P.M. Eastern Time
DURATION: 50 minutes
COST: $27  

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