In the business world, we’ve all heard at some point that it’s important to “put your best foot forward.” Another equally popular piece of sage wisdom that you’ve likely heard is “you only get one chance to make a first impression.” Indeed, how we present ourselves plays a major part in how we are received and ultimately, our overall image and career success. With anything that impactful, it stands to reason that it’s critical to put in the effort and get it right.
Renee Kreifels – Advance Services, Inc.
“I believe that your first impression always leaves a lasting impression,” advises Renee Kreifels, Regional Manager of Advance Services, Inc. “Choosing the right dress code is one of the most important factors in determining a person’s success. There are a few things to consider when dressing for a professional setting: 1. Modesty — Be noticed for your work, not your tight pants, makeup etc.; 2. Culture — You need to know your office culture and setting; and 3. Hygiene — Invest in yourself so you can freely interact with others. When you profess positive you tend to do positive. I look at dressing as the same; if you look it, you tend to play the part.
With professional dressing, there are generally two types: Business Casual and Business Professional. Although, with either one, I would say that when in business, keep it classy and keep yourself covered. When putting together business professional looks, think about what you would wear for a big interview. Especially for women, always keep slacks, a pencil skirt, a dress shirt, a jacket, heels (at least one pair each of black and nude), and at least one dress suit in your wardrobe and keep in mind that neutral colors are always safe. On the other hand, for business casual dress, wear neutral colors or one ‘pop of color.’ With both, it’s probably best not to use business or work hours as a time to experiment. Trends are an excellent example of where you can either hit a home run or go very, very wrong. With a lot of the looks from the 70’s and 80’s coming back, and both graphic and animal prints still big and going strong into the fall season, be very careful with how you incorporate these things into your wardrobe. While simple is always better, adding color or some bold pieces in a smart way will add character and personalize your look. You may, however, just want to stay trendy by accessorizing in a smart way.
Overall, I can’t emphasize enough that when in doubt, opt to keep it simple. Also, make sure that your clothing is tailored to fit you and don’t underestimate the power of accessories. You can add so much to an Look of Successoutfit but just adding a scarf, jewelry, belts, etc. Finally, along the same lines of tailoring, always proceed with caution when shopping online.”
Kelly Merklein – Blu Velvet
“I think that no matter what your business is, you need to look like you care about yourself and your appearance,” further emphasizes Kelly Merklein, owner of Blu Velvet. “If you want to gain respect, you have to look like you respect yourself. The way you dress is a reflection of this. Developing your own style is the hard part. Style is something that some people come by easily and others struggle with. Part of having a style is owning what you are wearing, meaning really taking what you put on as a reflection of who you are and being proud of that. Trends can be confused with style, but style is actually learning how to take the trends and use the parts of them that fit into your own personal style. I think someone should look up-to-date but still stay within their style. Developing a style that works for you is something we can help people with if they don’t know how to do it. Some people are very flashy and like to take things that extra mile, while others may be more classic and subdued. With that said, there is a way to look up-to-date no matter where you fall in between these two. The best place to start is to take some key pieces that fit your style and add to them, which will change things up just enough every season with the new trends. There are always items that are available within each person’s individual style, but the point is to make the look you choose work for you and reflect what you like.
At Blu Velvet, we have a wide range of items that appeal to many different styles and body types. We love to help someone find that perfect look that suits their personal taste and makes them feel great. As professionals who are passionate about personal style, we find it incredibly gratifying when a customer comes in and asks for help and gives us some guidelines to go by to help them find a style they will love. I think that we just really love to help women find the way to look their best, no matter how conservative or bold and daring they may be. We love it when we help them feel great and create a look they love because after all, style matters! It makes you feel good about yourself and gives you confidence to do whatever else you want to in life. It is a place to start and build yourself up and it should not get overlooked, because it is a part of who we are and it matters.”
Kathy Hagge – The Nines
Kathy Hagge, owner of The Nines, also offers the following tips for professionals who want to look and feel their best in the workplace:
“The Nines offers a variety of items that can be combined in many different ways to create professional looks that will get you noticed. Fall and winter styles this year yet again offer a sophisticated look that is flattering while still being comfortable. This is important for those long days when 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 and tunics 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.”
Your look of success is only effective if all of the pieces work well together, but that doesn’t mean that each piece can only be worn one specific way. “Mixing classic items with trendy pieces is a great way to create unique looks,” agrees Cherie Travis, owner of Rachel’s Boutique. “For example this season, you could mix a classic pant and top with a fun cape or poncho. Or a fun printed pant with classic jacket and tee. Rachel’s has so many new items this season, with a great selection of plain and printed pants, jackets, tops, capes, and sweaters in addition to lots of scarves and gorgeous jewelry. With jewelry in particular, you could opt for classic or fun depending on the look you are going for. Moreover, mixing multiple pieces together and layering is a trend that is carried over from spring.
Keep in mind that your boss, peers, and clients will take you seriously if you’re well-dressed and look the part. When you’re building or adjusting your wardrobe to fit your work environment, it’s helpful to research the company and to find out the specific dress code. You can also get a good idea of what is acceptable by observing other employees and how they are dressing. For most professional settings an investment in core pieces that can be mixed and matched is the best way to go. This way you can create sharp outfits that can be nicely accessorized with trendy pieces. You can’t go wrong with colored tanks and tees as they are perfect for layering and can be accented in endless ways. Finally, make sure that your clothes are clean and pressed and that everything about your appearance is working together for a complete look of success from head to toe.”
When it comes to caring for your clothing and ensuring that everything comes together nicely, there are two professionals that you’ll want to form a great relationship with: your tailor and your dry cleaner.
Quintin Yallaly – Starcrest Cleaners
“First impressions are critical, and one’s appearance definitely sets the tone whether it’s one brief opportunity for interaction or a lasting relationship,” says Quintin Yallaly, co-owner and manager of the Starcrest Cleaners Lincoln location. “While professional dress (and press) alone will not likely win someone over, poor dress can shut us down before we even speak. For example, an applicant for a sales associate position came to our store today. These team members are the face of our company. Before she had even entered the building I had decided not to hire her because she was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
When it comes to caring for your clothing, here are a few basic guidelines:
1. Do lie out and hang up, especially for garments with a lot of form such as sport coats and blazers. These wool garments are often good for a couple of light wearings in between cleanings. This, however, is not necessary for items like shirts or pants that you are going to have cleaned before wearing again.
2. Don’t pre-spot; do get a spotted garment to Starcrest as soon as reasonably possible. There are many tricks and old wives’ tales out there regarding what you should do to a garment in the event of a spill or accident. Unfortunately, sometimes these techniques interfere with the process
we would like to use to remove the stain or may occasionally cause adverse effects such as color loss. The best thing to do is simply get the garment to us as soon as possible and point out the spot when you are dropping off the garment.
3. Don’t worry about care labels. If you want a professional look without the hassle, bring it to Starcrest. Three examples come to mind on this topic.
• Some garments, especially men’s button-down shirts, are ‘wrinkle free.’ A shirt without wrinkles looks much different than a shirt that has been professionally pressed. The difference is in the process. In our professional shirt service process, shirts are laundered and then pressed wet, naturally giving the shirts a crisp look. Moreover, we give special attention to how the collar is formed, which is the focal point of the shirt. If you are going for a professional look I suggest our professional shirt service for your button-down oxfords.
• Sometimes there is a misunderstanding that a professional cleaner cannot clean a garment unless the care label reads ‘Dry Clean Only.’ All quality professional cleaners should be capable of properly caring for virtually any garment you wear. Therefore, don’t worry if a garment care label reads something like ‘Hand Wash Only’ or ‘Do Not Dry Clean.’ At Starcrest, we have wet cleaning and hand wash simulation processes that we use every day.
• There are various finishing or ironing instructions on care labels. The finishing or ‘the press’ of a garment is one of the most important reasons to bring the garment to a professional cleaner and it is the area that we spend the majority of our time on. One big difference between a professional finish and ironing at home is the equipment. Professional cleaners have a boiler system which creates steam to finish garments. The steam is used in presses and steam irons to penetrate and loosen contracted or wrinkled fibers. This process is much safer on delicate fabrics than the home iron with a metal plate that can scorch, melt or scar materials.
I assure you that professional cleaning is a key part of the ‘Look of Success.’ It does not make much sense to have a professional wardrobe if it is not professionally cared for just as it doesn’t make sense to have a nice house and then never care for the lawn and landscaping. The care of your wardrobe is just as essential to one’s ‘Look of Success’ as the wardrobe itself.”
Presentation is key to how information is received by others and your professional appearance—how you present yourself in the workplace or to your clientele through your personal “look of success”—speaks volumes. It shows that you are confident, put together, and showcases your individual sense of style, which sets you apart from everyone else. When you make a bold fashion statement, everyone takes notice. Likewise, even if you come to work every day looking the part with no extra fireworks or fanfare, this consistency speaks to your credibility, dedication and professionalism.
Gary Novotny – Gary Michaels Clothiers
“Confidence is key and what you wear certainly factors into that,” advises Gary Novotny, owner of Gary Michaels Clothiers. “No matter the occasion, in any kind of business setting, it’s always better to err on the side of being overdressed. Likewise, you should always dress where you want to end up in your career and not necessarily where you are at present.
While trends will always come and go, the suit remains the most powerful part of one’s professional wardrobe as it has for hundreds of years. When you put on a suit, it makes you instantly feel like a professional. Moreover, a suit has standard components that actually make dressing easier in terms of putting together a cohesive outfit. However, there are still plenty of aspects of a suit that should be considered, such as fit, textile, color, quality, fabrication, and accessories. There’s a good mix of classic and bold in the current styles, making configuration of the key pieces something that can truly set you apart from your professional counterparts.
In terms of the worth of your wardrobe, I’ve always appreciated the saying, ‘Most people know the price of everything but they know the value of nothing.’ You can go out and spend $1,000 on a suit, but if it’s not tailored properly it will look like you’ve spent $100. Fit is critical, which is why consulting with a professional clothier will ensure that all of the tiny details that you wouldn’t necessarily notice are taken into account and adjustments are made accordingly. For example, it’s common for many people in Nebraska to wear their sleeves too long. An experienced tailor will correct this issue, making the adjustment according to the guidelines of 5” from the thumb to the break of the wrist. Also, there are three different silhouettes: traditional, modern and slim. It’s important not to choose what you think looks best on others, but what will look best on you based upon your personal body type, and that’s yet another forte of a professional clothier.
Finally, bear in mind that there’s a big difference between investment clothing and disposable clothing. There really is a lot of junk out there these days, and a professional clothier will know will lead you towards quality items that will last and will alert to key things that should be avoided. I can assure you that those who make wise investments in their wardrobe will not only see the benefit now but will truly realize it years down the road.”
When it comes to one’s look of success, there are many things that come together to make it really work. So to be polished and put forth the image that you want others to receive, it’s critical to consider many different components. While your wardrobe is key, it’s not the sole factor that determines your overall look. When put together with the right hairstyle, tasteful makeup, personal hygiene and grooming, ideal health and fitness, and a sharp combination of accessories, you’ll be at your absolute best.
As a hard and fast rule, if you are dedicated to putting the best you forward every day, everyone will take notice. Moreover, the right look is the foundation that truly allows your best qualities to shine through. Paying attention to all details, including how you present yourself, is fun for most but truly crucial for everyone who wants to be taken seriously as a career professional.