In professional settings, the way you look plays a significant role in your success. A person’s appearance is one of the first things that people notice and a major way to leave an impression—good or bad. Thus, creating and defining your own personal “Look of Success” is crucial.
Dressing The Part
When you think about getting ready to go to work in the morning, wherever that may be, the first thing that generally comes to mind is what to wear. While there are a few main rules that should always be followed, your business attire allows you to showcase your personality. In this way, you are effectively branding yourself which is a powerful thing. When looking for unique signature pieces that will set you apart from the crowd, think local boutiques!
The Nines offers a variety of items that can be combined in many different ways to create professional looks that will get you noticed. Kathy Hagge, owner of The Nines, offers the following tips for professionals who want to look and feel their best in the workplace:
“Fall and winter styles this year offer a sophisticated look that is flattering while still being comfortable. This is important for those long days where you are constantly on-the-go. Keeping an eye out for pieces that are versatile is important, as any professional will appreciate a look that can transition from day to night with just a few simple adjustments. The Nines offers plenty of basic pieces that are perfect for mixing and matching, which is perfect for those who want to create a lot of different looks on a budget. We also have the signature pieces that add the ‘WOW’ factor to your ensemble that will turn heads and get you noticed, wherever the day takes you. My favorite items are the dresses and longer shirts that you can pair with different vests, scarves, accessories, leggings, and shoes (boots, flats, or heels) to create a variety of completely different looks that transition from professional to more casual and from day to evening.
My best advice is to make sure that you are comfortable in your own skin—and your clothes! It doesn’t matter if everyone else likes what you wear or if it is on trend, but that your clothing fits you right, is appropriate and tasteful, and makes you feel confident. Don’t get sold on something that’s simply not your style, but take a few chances and try something new every once in a while to shake things up. The same is true with shopping for your professional wardrobe—make sure you visit places that make you feel comfortable and are able to offer you sound advice without being pushy. Making your own decisions about the look you are going for is empowering, and will allow you to create your own look that will set you apart. Combining looks can sometimes be a bit tricky though, and for most a little bit of direction may be helpful. We currently offer Wine Nights every Thursday at The Nines, which allows us to showcase some of the many ways you can mix and match items to create different looks for all of the different situations you will encounter in everyday life.
At The Nines, we really take pride in being a place that offers key pieces to give you more bang for your buck because you will never look like you’re wearing the same thing. We only carry a limited number of the same item so you also won’t likely be wearing the same thing as anyone else either. The best part about fashion is that it allows you to show off your identity and creativity, so it is important to be thoughtful about your appearance and always put your best foot forward.”
Fashion is always changing, for the workplace or otherwise, and so is the inventory at Lincoln’s diverse assortment of boutiques and clothiers. Lincoln definitely has style, and there are many terrific places to find your signature look locally. Local boutiques such as Blu Velvet and Rachel’s Boutique offer a hand-picked selection of women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, and accessories from quality brands that are not often represented at major retailers. They also purchase a limited amount of these items after personally evaluating them for quality and style, as the local boutique owners generally act as their own buyers, so you are sure to be one of the few people lucky enough to snag a true find.
Make sure to evaluate your wardrobe as a whole; in order to achieve a consistent look of success in any environment you should have the flexibility to adjust to different circumstances accordingly. It is particularly important to understand what type of attire is appropriate in your industry, as each draws its lines differently. In today’s workplace, casual wear is becoming increasingly popular. Become familiar with your company’s dress code, and always err on the side of caution. Being unique doesn’t always require something that’s loud or shocking; rather, it means incorporating personalized details into your overall professional look.
Putting Your Best Face Forward
You are your own best asset, and together with what you wear, presenting the best “you” possible requires some other considerations.
In addition to everything else that enhances your appearance, your skin is a natural asset and proper care is essential. Everyone has a unique skin type, so it is important to consult a professional that recognizes all of the characteristics that make up your unique skin type and who will then create personalized treatments that will achieve optimal results.
“Regardless of your age, if you want your skin to look its very best you need to consider regular monthly facials,” says Erica Lee of Ciao Bella Aesthetics & Permanent Cosmetics. “A facial does for your skin what exercise does for your body. It keeps it in tip top shape. By sloughing, buffing, hydrating, clearing and nourishing on a professional level your skin will always look its most radiant and beautiful. Express One Hour facials are available for those who are working under tight schedules, but I strongly suggest to get the maximum benefit you set aside an hour and a half so we can address all the needs of your skin. Plus, it’s so much more relaxing!
Professional peels are also extraordinarily effective for alleviating dryness, pigmentation, clearing pores, reducing breakouts and stimulating repair for sun damaged skin. We offer special peels that are gentle and require no down time. As skin cells age they lose vital moisture and perish, so mature skin also needs special care. Whether you’re dry or oily, moisture is the essential medium for getting important nutrients into thirsty cells. Without moisture skin looks dull and dry, but skin that is well hydrated is fresh, plump, soft and touchable.
Many people consider massages to simply be a luxury treatment for relaxation, but it offers so much more than that. Although massage is super soothing and relaxing it does so much for your skin. Massage facilitates important performance ingredients to get deep down into your skin where they can do the most good. Massage hydrates, softens and makes cleaning pores much easier. It also improves the micro-circulation of skin cells which encourages super healthy skin and a wonderfully healthy youthful glow.”
She adds, “Seeking out a highly trained professional esthetician is like hiring a personal trainer for your skin. An esthetician goes beyond just giving you a facial, offering important advice about how your skin is influenced by diet, exercise, sun, stress and other lifestyle choices that affect the health and look of your skin. Furthermore, whether your skin is dry, mature, acne prone or sensitive you know you’ll be getting the best skin care products and services available to best showcase your own personal Look of Success.”
Accessories That Make An Impact
The finishing touches are what polishes and truly completes your signature Look of Success. Accessorizing appropriately is indeed a point of caution, however, as less is more. Accessories are meant to complement your outfit, not overpower it. Being thoughtful about accessories, and using them creatively and strategically but not in excess, is essential to a well-rounded professional appearance.
Eyewear is an accessory that incorporates fashion and function, as it is almost always essential for those that wear it to be able to see but is also something that is offered in a variety of shapes and styles for a more personalized touch. Gone are the days of ugly frames that you hide in your pocket or stash in your briefcase; now, more than ever, designer frames are incredibly stylish and versatile.
“Industrial psychologists and behavioral scientists say that 50% of an interview is visual; how you look and carry yourself will determine the first impression you make,” says Michelle Quimby of Eyes on Lincoln. “Basically, the objective is to show your audience that you fit with the company staff values and goals so dress to impress, be polished from head to toe, and don’t be afraid to showcase your personal style, personality and professionalism. Eyewear is definitely an extension of this when incorporated into your look. What you wear should be determined by the norms of your organization, the role you want and your unique situation. So for most of us, eyewear is an accessory and different types create different looks depending how you feel that day. Plastic frames are a more casual look; they are easy to dress up or dress down. But in an office setting, a rimless frame or one that utilizes a drill mount is definitely a dressier pair.
For many of us, the most important aspect of choosing eyeglass frames is how they look on our face. When buying eyeglasses, the frame you choose is important to both your appearance and your comfort. Wearing the right pair of glasses will determine how happy you are with your eyewear. When you look good, you feel good. When you look your part, it can boost your self-esteem, give you confidence, show your personality, and can enhance your personal best feature, such as your eyes. That alone can make a positive, strong professional first impression. It is also important to remember that eyeglasses are similar to shoes—having more than one pair will help you create many different looks.
Furthermore, currently in the workplace a lot of us work in front of the computers, so a progressive lens is a must. This helps adjust to different situations such as distance computers and reading. Premium products are digitally enhanced to where your vision corridor is more panoramic, and anti-glare technology is also crucial to the overall function of your eyewear. Your unique set of needs should be taken into account when choosing the right frames and lenses, and a qualified optician can especially be of assistance in helping you find the best all-around fit.”
Lori Goff, Optician with Lincoln Vision Center, also advises, “When choosing a style think about the impression you want to give to others. Your appearance in how you dress can give others the impression that you are confident, trustworthy, traditional, trendy, fun or serious. If you want to make a positive impression, choosing styles that you feel comfortable wearing will make you feel more confident. When selecting eyewear, remember to choose a style and color of frame that will compliment your wardrobe the same way you would choose your shoes and handbags. Many start by selecting a frame that is an everyday style that you can wear with anything. But most people really want that frame that is “fun” that let’s everyone know you are not always serious. Your personality comes through depending on what glasses you’re wearing. You can have many different looks, bold, conservative, wild, fun, casual or business. Choose the style that you feel the most comfortable and confident wearing. You don’t wear one pair of shoes all year, so why would you wear just one frame style? Your eyewear is usually the first thing a person sees. Be sure to have several options that enhance your style. Remember to always look polished and professional. Choose wardrobe and accessories that add to your look, but aren’t distracting.”
Incorporating the right accessories also includes finding the right pieces of jewelry to complement your outfit each day. A nice watch is another statement piece that gets noticed, almost more than any other accessory besides eyeglasses, so that is one place to consider spending a bit more for a quality piece. Also, make sure that your jewelry isn’t noisy or overly distracting—you want to attract positive attention. The same is true for strong perfume, neon colors, big hairstyles or huge beards, and so on. Choosing the right accessories is essential, and will add a personal touch to complete your professional look.
Looking AND Feeling Your Best
There are many factors that work together to create one’s complete Look of Success, including those that affect how you look AND how you feel. Health and fitness aren’t just things that contribute to your appearance; feeling better is directly related to looking better and vice versa.
“Leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet has a number of beneficial influences on professional success,” states James Garner, a Personal Trainer at Lincoln Racquet Club. “Not only will an individual have increased confidence, but their overall performance will improve. For example, regular exercise increases brain function, so addressing workplace problems or concerns with innovative ideas becomes second nature. Professionals who lead a healthy lifestyle can better manage the stress of their career and family which improves productivity and decision making leading to a happier and more successful life.
LRC has a variety of different options for people who are limited on time or have non-traditional schedules. The most popular being our wide array of Group Fitness Classes offered throughout the day that not only provide members with the ability to focus on different fitness goals, but it provides variety to minimize boredom. Group classes take the work out of working out because you just show up, have a good time, and meet people to motivate and hold you accountable. We also have an outstanding Personal Training team that can provide individualized workout plans to help anyone accomplish their goals. Whether it be rehabilitation from an injury, increasing your bench press, or improving your golf swing, one of our highly experienced and qualified personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches can help you get there. Not to mention, we are open early and close late, so members have access to the fitness equipment as well as swimming pool and courts throughout the day.
Everyone’s personal ‘Look of Success’ in health and fitness is different. Whether you are trying to look good in your swimming suit, improve your overall health, or just to increase your energy to keep up with your children, each person must find the fitness method that works for them. If you do not enjoy running, try swimming. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Experimenting with different methods of training will not only improve your fitness but will keep you mentally and physically engaged. Fitness should be challenging, but it should also be fun. If you enjoy your workout, you will be more likely to stick with it.”
If you want a sustainable lifestyle change that makes a difference over the long haul, you need a coach to push you in the right direction and for all the right reasons. Profile by Sanford, a new local resource for comprehensive weight management, offers clients a plan that is tailored specifically to their individual needs and goals. The Profile plan offered by Sanford does that by starting you off on a simple meal replacement plan with reasonable activity and exercise goals. Because success is a matter of steps, the company’s team of professionals will teach you specifically how to change behaviors that have worked against you in the past. Through steady change of both mind and body, results will follow. Combine this approach with Profile smart wireless technology (smart scale) and mobile applications (tracks your progress online), for a major advantage on your journey of growth and change.
“Leading a healthy lifestyle impacts a person’s professional appearance and performance because being healthier makes the person feel better in their own skin and most importantly, makes them more confident in who they are,” emphasizes Steve Holzwarth, owner of the local Profile by Sanford franchise. “Confidence is very important in a person’s professional appearance. We tailor weight loss plans individually to each one of our members based on their goals and lifestyle. Every one of our members is different and leads a different lifestyle, so we want their weight loss journey to be plugged into their current lifestyle so the member can still live their life how they want to live it.”
He adds, “There are a lot of benefits to being healthy, and we can teach you how to make healthier choices. Take 30 minutes to visit our store and meet with one of our very knowledgeable health coaches to see how a tailored weight loss plan can work for you.”
Lori Borer of Red Dirt Running Company also emphasizes the significant role of fitness in a person’s overall look of success. “Looking good and feeling good go hand in hand, and staying active is a major factor that affects both. Running is more than a good way to get in shape; it will also improve your overall health, prevent disease, boost confidence, relieve stress, and eliminate depression, among many other benefits. It really is incredibly beneficial for the body, mind, and spirit—even short runs can leave you feeling more focused, more energized, and better able to handle and enjoy all that life has to offer. We provide high quality and affordable shoes, apparel, nutrition and all of the accessories to get you on the right path to meeting your running and fitness goals. At Red Dirt Running Company of Lincoln our belief is that we are more than just a shoe store. We are a place for you to meet, grow, and connect with other runners and walkers in Lincoln and the surrounding communities.”
Your professional appearance, or lack thereof, will have a profound effect on your success in the business world. It will be invaluable to your career if you take this aspect seriously and continue to develop your own personal look of success well after you’ve landed the job. Finding your own look of success will allow you to establish credibility for yourself in the workplace as a polished professional who has all of the bases covered.