Appearance which includes Dressing and Grooming helps employees of the organisation for their professional growth and advancement in their career. It plays an important role for every individual who wants to make their mark in any field, areas or for that matter for personal interest as well. It plays a huge part in creating first impression, presentation in front of clients/customers, job interviews, etc. It is a visual communication that happens within few seconds that people form impression about by just seeing their clothes.
In a sense what you wear, affects the way you think, affects the way you feel, how you act and behave and how others see and react to you.
An attractive appearance increases self-esteem and opens doors to opportunities faster. When you look good, people’s reaction towards you become more positive.
TIPS ON ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE MANAGEMENT
- Use simple basic lines and shapes in your garment or outfit. They can create various looks as they are easy to pair with. They never get outdated with fashion. So for women, instead of leggings, use cigarette pants as they give shape to your outfit. A simple plain white shirt can be paired to create many looks than a white shirt which has too many embellishments and design details.
- Counter / Cover figure variations. Use countering tools like shoulder pads, belts, colors, layers, design details, patterns in garments as a way of covering figure variations. For example, Use shoulder pads to widen your shoulder or belt to accentuate your waist. Design details to get more focus and attention where the attention is needed.
- Wear appropriate and proper fit clothes for attractive personality. Do not wear clothes which are inappropriate as per your body shape. You should know your body shape to wear attractive clothes which are suited to your personality. Too loose or too tight clothes will just ruin your look. A semi-fitted clothes are recommended as for formal wear.
- Dark/dull colors over light shades. Dark color clothes will create an illusion that you are few kgs thinner. Darker colors usually convey a stronger impression than lighter ones. Wear dark colors for authority and formal look. Include colors like mustard, burgundy, and bottle-green, black, gray, navy and blue for variety.
- Wear clothing colors that relate well to your personal coloring. Personal colors are colors that are already present in our skin, hair, eyes etc. When one wears these colors it creates a harmony with the whole look of outfit. For example, a person with a hazel eyes wears a hazel colored Jacket, it creates a harmony as personal coloring is repeated in clothing.
- One dominant point of emphasis / focal point. In any outfit you wear, keep one dominant focal point. This focal point is where one wants to keep people’s attention. For example, if anyone is wearing a black business suit or a black collared shirt and pant pair, focal point can be a printed red tie or a brooch.
- Wear structured and layered clothes for authority. When one wears a Jacket or a blazer, it adds authority to the outfit. A third layer can be considered as a good mechanism to give a structured look to clothes. For example, a 2 or 3 piece business suit is always on high authority because of its structured clothing and jacket is a layered garment which gives an overall authoritative look to outfit.
- Depend on a cluster of clothes to meet your clothing needs. Clustering helps in giving various looks from few pieces of garments. It adds lot of versatility and variations in outfits. Basic wardrobes must-haves like white shirt or top, black pant, beige trouser, black top/shirt and a black jacket can be a good combinations to start a cluster.
- Art of accessories. Accessories plays an important role in a whole outfit. When choosing accessories to wear with an outfit the most important thing is to harmonize with your outfit. By harmonizing it means making sure there’s some common element or theme between the accessory and the outfit. This could be colour, visual weight, texture or some other style or design element.
- Personal hygiene is utmost important to create a neat and suave look. Your daily hygiene and grooming is important. For men, maintaining a clean look with a well-made hair style, shaven or trimmed facial hair, neat and trimmed nails, teeth and an odour-free body is a must. For women, a neatly done hair style along with a subtle make-up and well-maintained hygiene.