We would like to kick off our Look of Success article with a big thank you to our Lincoln Best Dressed winners of 2011! The winners are Dr. Keith Hughes with Nebraska Foot & Ankle, Dr. Corey Dousharm with Mosier/Timperley Chiropractic, John S. Berry with Berry Law Firm, Jeanne Vuko with Walker Tire/Quick Nick’s, Tony Ojeda with Midlands Financial and Karalyn Hoefer, Woods Bros. Realty. Continue reading to find out a bit more about their sense of style and to find out more how you can achieve ‘the look of success’ for yourself!
Dr. Keith Hughes
Who are your fashion idols locally?
That’s a tough one. Dr. Gene Stohs and Dr. Cassidy Mitchell dress well. My true fashion idol is my wife, Tessa.
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as crisp and clean.
What is your wardrobe staple and what is your most unique wardrobe piece?
My wardrobe staple is a dark Hickey-freeman suit. My unique wardrobe piece is a Brioni tie.
What era of fashion has been your favorite? The current era is usually my favorite.
Dr. Corey Dousharm
Who are your fashion idols locally?
My mom, who taught me the importance of versatile pieces (ie can you wear an article of clothing more than one way?) and also the proper way to work a necklace! Another would have to be my aunt, Cindy Timperley. No matter where she is going, she always looks stylish, even if it’s jeans and a T!
How would you describe your style?
Classically ME!! I’m not super trendy, but I know what works for me. I prefer a more polished, put-together look and am more comfortable in layers, especially when I can work fun blazers/jackets into the mix! Like a necklace, a good jacket can make an outfit really pop (as can an amazing pair of shoes!)
What is your wardrobe staple and what is your most unique wardrobe piece?
My must have is a black pencil skirt. I love that I can wear almost anything with it. My favorite is to pair it with a basic white blouse and a pair of hot pink or red heels! My most unique piece is probably my purple velvet blazer from J. Crew. Sounds like a mess, but I love it, especially with dark trouser jeans and a bright button up shirt underneath!
What era of fashion has been your favorite?
I love t h e 1960s, especially all things Jackie O and Coco Chanel! Those two women are the embodiment of classic, tailored style in my opinion.
J o hn S . Berry
Wh o are your fashion idols locally? My wife.
How wo uld you describe your style? I don’t have a particular style, I just try to dress professionally.
Wha t is your wardrobe staple and what is your most unique wardrobe piece? My staple is the suit. I rarely wear sports coats and don’t like pleats. I have a few unique ties.
What era of fashion has been your favorite? I liked the 1980s, but I think the best era in American history was the 1920s.
Jea nne Vuko
Who are your fashion idols locally? Everyone who knows me knows I really don’t like to shop! I will say I always refer to and consult with my dear friend Tara Nielson of Tranquility Salon, who is the ultimate fashion guru!
How would you describe your style? Fairly simple…I am not into a lot of patterns! Nothing against them, it just has never been me. My clothes always seem to be rather simple but I love to dress them up with some fun earrings and a cool pair of shoes or boots and a hat! Everybody needs a nice pair of jeans…that is one thing you really can’t skimp on.
What is your wardrobe staple and what is your most unique wardrobe piece? I giggle when I say this, but I cannot live without my long-waisted cami tank tops! I wear them underneath almost everything (even if you can’t see them). My most unique piece would have to be my cowboy hats and my knee-high moccasin boots…I can’t go anywhere wearing either without a ton of comments. They are so fun!
What era of fashion has been your favorite? I think I have things from all the ears! Right now, I feel like I’m having some fun with the ‘80s.
Ton y Ojeda
Who are your fashion idols locally? I think there are a lot of nicely dressed men in Lincoln, but I really don’t pay a whole lot of attention to what others are wearing. I will say that I recently saw Senator Tony Fulton at an event and he was sporting a pretty nice suit.
How would you describe your style? My style is Updated Businessman with a cool vibe
What is your wardrobe staple and what is your most unique piece? My wardrobe staple is a suit and nice tie. I also like to wear cuff links, but don’t every day. My most unique wardrobe piece is actually wearing a Yankees hat. Of course the Ya nkees hat is not an everyday staple, but when I am casual I have to represent my Yankees.
What era of fashion has been your favorite? Being an ‘80s child I would have to say that my favorite era of fashion was the 1980s. The big hair, the Z Cavaricci jeans that we would roll at the bottom. The v neck sweater with a t-shirt underneath. Oh yeah, those were the days.
Karalyn Hoefer
Who are your fashion idols locally? I’ve never really thought about this…there are several women who I have always looked up to for their success in the workplace and their sense of style. I’ve admired the way they’ve
held themselves and always look put together from head to toe.
How would you describe your style? Classic with a tad bit of edge thrown in.
What is your wardrobe staple and what is your most unique wardrobe piece? My wardrobe staple—DRESSES! They are so easy to wear and always look great! My most unique wardrobe piece is actually a purse of my Mom’s from the late ‘60s. Very cool!
What era of fashion has been your favorite? I’ve enjoyed all of them…but I really liked the classic looks of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Now that you’ve heard from our Best Dressed winners, you might be wondering how you can make your own signature ‘look of success’. Fortunately, we’ve got many experts that can help you out!
Choosing the Right Wardrobe
“The clothing and accessories you choose in the morning sets the tone for your day,” explains Ashlie Hadden with Embellish Boutique. “The way you dress is a direct reflection of your personality—show it off! Being self-assured and confident is the best way to begin a productive and successful day of work. If you are dressed for success the minute you walk out the door, there’s no stopping you!”
“I think that as much as we like to think that what matters is on the inside, it still takes the outside to get people to want to get to know you,” adds Kelly Merklein with Blu Velvet. “Clothing and accessories are such an important way to express yourself. Fashion can be a thing that just makes a great first impression, which is very important. The other dynamic is that the way you look generally reflects how you feel about yourself. If you feel good you look good, but to feel good you have to look good! It is kind of a weird thing, but one depends a lot on the other. Clothing and accessories are a way to actually show you care about yourself and they reflect that.”
Cherie Travis from Rachel’s Boutique concurs, “When you like and feel good about your clothing and accessories, it can give you a positive feeling of success in what you are doing, whether it be work or play.”
Choosing those wardrobe items that make you feel confident as well as look great is clearly key. But how do you do that? “Find a good store or good friend that will be honest and help you put it all together,” suggests Cherie. “Don’t be afraid to take items that you have and try to build around them.”
“Go with classic pieces that fit well,” advises Ashlie Hadden. “You can never go wrong with a classic pair of trousers or a pencil skirt with a blouse. All you need to do is add a statement piece of jewelry and suddenly you’re a fashionista! Another way to achieve a fashionable look if you don’t feel like you have the sense is to ask for help! Most of us are in the fashion industry because we love fashion and are more than happy to help customers find their sense of style. Sometimes it’s as easy as breaking out of your normal dressing habits with one new look and you can feel inspired to mix things up!”
“I think that most people know what they are comfortable in and this is a great place to start,” points out Kelly Merklein. “If they don’t feel comfortable enough to create a look for themselves, it is perfectly normal to ask for help. It’s really a way for us to do what we were trained to do and there are many ways to put a look together within someone’s comfort zone, yet make them feel fashionable.”
Paying attention to each season’s trends and styles is also a great way to make sure your look is updated and fashionable. “I think that sweater jackets are a big trend this season, especially in neutral colors,” says Kelly Merklein. “They kind of take the place of the blazer or even the coat. Also the detail on these is what is interesting. Fur and special buttons and rivets are very prevalent. I think a business woman can take a piece like that and put it with her black pants or skirt and it will be businesslike, yet much more fun. You can also take an embellished tank and put it with a jacket or sweater, which is a fun way to take the look to the office. Boots are very in, and the ankle boot is really new and fun.”
“Although we’ve been seeing this trend for a few seasons now, scarves are a great staple for business people,” comments Ashlie Hadden. “It’s not too trendy, but can definitely spice up a boring office outfit. Jewel tones are also in and a great way to add color to your business wardrobe without being too drastic. Since the tones are deep, it still reads professional, but a little more fun! Plaid, lace and polka dots are also great for work. Plaid is a classic print that is perfect for adding a punch of personality to normal business attire, plus the men can jump on this trend, too. Lace and polka dots are vintage-inspired trends that are easy to add to your traditional business suit—just layer a blouse under your blazer and you’re good to go!”
“Blazers and vests are making a comeback,” Cherie Travis says. “Long or short skirts paired with a great pair of boots is a very trendy look now. You should invest in a great pair of boots as well as a great handbag and pair of jeans as they will last longer and wear better and always be in style.”
Nikki Saathoff with Edge Boutique adds, “You’re going to see a lot of faux fur on jackets and vests for women as well as fringe on cardigans. The sleeves of a lot of shirts are going to have different fabric used together and sleeves are going to be tighter in the arm and looser in the shoulder. For men, it’s going to be a cleaner look and shirts will be more slender-cut this season.”
“I can’t remember a time when fashion selections have been so varied,” points out Sarah Gauger with OMT! Divine Resale. “Retro and vintage are being recycled in every new fashion season. Styles from every decade share the shelves, from pencil skirts to ponchos. Resale stores are perfect for mixing styles and trends. Our shoppers can find a variety of designers in one place and find styles to work into their wardrobes and make their own. The must-have item for fall so far are boots, boots and more boots! Print pashmina scarves and infinity scarves are also hot sellers as we settle into winter temps. Capes and shawls have been flying out the door this fall, too. Resale is a great way to pick up trendy pieces that you’re not sure will have staying power. I love being able to stretch my customers a little bit outside their box with a bright colored scarf or pattern leggings. We have new items going out for sale every day, so it’s fun to drop in often and see what’s new. Shopping resale is fun and I share that attitude with our customers!”
“The changes in men’s apparel is becoming significant,” says Gary Novotny with Gary Michaels Clothiers. “If an individual hasn’t updated his wardrobe in the past 3-5 years, he most likely will be outdated. We are seeing a lot of reflection on the mid 1970s, both in model of clothing and fabrication. The things that are becoming more popular in sports coats and trousers are oversized plaids. We’re also seeing the introduction of fabrications that are more lofty and a mill finish, which is a heavier weight, almost like a flannel, and the emergence of tweed in trousers and coats. The flat-front trouser is also becoming very popular. A year ago, we were seeing about 75 percent pleated front and 25 percent flat front in trousers, and that’s now reversed, much like it was in the 1970s. Sweaters have become more cardigan-like in style and a little heavier and many have a cable structure to them. As far as suits go, we are seeing heavier weighted suits for the fall, but lighter in color. So we might see, for example, a light silver gray with a black pinstripe. The neckwear is also changing. Before, we saw updated and geometric, but now it’s a bit more traditional with a bar or pencil strip, classic and elegant. Finally, the bow tie is coming back, and not just for formal wear. We’re seeing them in everyday wear as well.”
The way you dress says so much more about you than just what clothes you’ve chosen. “I think people should really see clothing and accessories as a way to show that they are part of the changing world,” says Kelly Merklein. “People who stop caring about what is new in fashion and in the world reflect that by not dressing well. I think that anyone can find what they need to give themselves a better outlook and present themselves better. People who are bold in the business world need not be afraid to venture out in the way they present themselves, which is the first thing anyone sees when deciding whether to take them serious. Fashion is not just a frivolous thing, it really does matter. Success looks a certain way, and it’s definitely not outdated and frumpy!”
To make sure your clothes fit their best, you may also want to look into working with a tailor. “With the cost of quality clothes today, you need to make sure they fit correctly to make them look their best and make them wear as long as possible,” states Julia Kleeman with Tailoring by Julia. “I have worked in the tailoring business since Ben Simon’s and Landon’s and finished with Rothchild’s. I have carried on serving the needs of both my men and women clients from repairs to altering all those new fashions. Who hasn’t had a wedding or a special occasion to attend and your formal wear needs altering? From those new jeans that drag on the ground to those clothes that don’t fit because your diet is working, personal tailoring service is just a call away.”
Utilizing Accessories
Accessories can be the difference between a boring outfit and one that is unique and eye-catching. “Accessories enhance the foundation your outfit has laid,” explains Dawn Anderson with Premier Jewelry. “Accessories also lead to compliments for others. This too will enhance your self-esteem and thus you will carry yourself and hold yourself to a higher standard. When deciding on what accessories to incorporate into your wardrobe, research what’s ‘in’. Look in various magazines and also do a lot of window shopping. It’s all about personal taste, but don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You may find a new look for yourself that you will fall in love with. “
Picking out unique accessories is a wonderful way to make a statement and really develop your own style. Pearls and Pebbles is a new store that provides just that. “Traveling each month to Asia allows us to bring a vast array of affordable, one-of-a-kind jewelry and scarves to Lincoln,” says Mary Herres with Pearls and Pebbles. “While in Asia, we work with vendors in picking out incredibly unique stones and beautiful pearls for each of our designs. You can be sure that when going out, your necklace and earrings will be noticed. Pearls and Pebbles’ jewelry designs are eclectic. There is something for everyone from beautiful freshwater single strand pearls to a long, six-strand multi-stone and pearl mixed necklace. Many necklaces can be worn with a suit for work and then go into evening with jeans. The holidays will be filled with bling, including Swaravski crystals and pearls on sterling silver lariats. And for those chilly nights in evening attire, a cozy date with friends or even to dress up a suit, there are many elegant cashmere and silk scarves for any taste.”
Salon and Spa Services
Looking and feeling great is not just about clothes and accessories, of course. “Great skin and hair makes for a great first impression,” points out Kristin Judkins with White Orchid Salon and Spa. “First impressions are huge if you are in sales, going in for a job interview or just in everyday life. Looking your best and feeling your best go hand-in-hand and I feel this is where self-confidence comes from.”
“We love educating our clients on how to take the best care of their skin and body,” says Ashley Pavlish with Body Nouveaux Spa. “We want to help our clients achieve goals that they have set and when our clients are seeing results, whether it’s in their skin or body, we feel success in making them look and feel fabulous. We have many spa treatments that can help boost one’s confidence. I tell my clients all the time that they should never feel bad coming in and having spa services done. If you are working all the time or always giving, you will eventually burn yourself out. You need to take some time for ‘me time’ and treat yourself. We can help with just some relaxing time or helping with your appearance. We love when our clients leave here beaming and we just know that makes them a better mother, father, wife, husband or even business professional.”
There are a number of spa services available that can help increase your confidence. “Our body wraps help our clients look and feel better in their clothing,” says Ashley. “We can give them a little more confidence before a big event or even be more successful in meeting their weight loss goals. Our facials and chemical peels can help with acne concerns, evening out skin tones or helping with blemishes. Regular facials and using the right products at home will brighten your skin, giving you the confidence you may need to encourage you to go above and beyond in making yourself successful. Our spray tans can give you the healthy “glow” and our massages can help relax clients, making them feel more comfortable and less tense.”
“The look of success appears in different forms at different places in our business,” says Jason McLaughlin with I?S Salon. “For our salon as a whole, success means working as a team to provide our customers the best possible service. We want people to sense collaboration in the studio space and we hope it makes them feel welcome and comfortable. For individual stylists, success means constant refinement of talent. This type of success is born from internal discipline and is evidenced by long-term creative growth. A successful haircut is not only technically advanced, but also strikes a balance between practicality and a customer’s individual style. When people leave our salon feeling great about the way they look , you can see it in their faces and that’s definitely the look of success.”
“Our stylists study fashion constantly,” Jason continues. “And they practice creating a wide range of looks from polished and classic to urban street to high fashion. When you first meet a stylist, she can help you find a look that matches your face shape and skin tone. But after you’ve developed a relationship with a stylist, then she can really help you develop a look to match your personality and lifestyle. Also, the more comfortable you are with your stylist, the more likely you are to ask questions or explore designs that are new for you and that can be really fun. We believe that fashion can be inspired by images in the media, but it can only be created by individuals. Each customer comes to us with their look—a combination of features, coloring, hair texture, clothing choices and life demands. Our job is to help them find a look that expresses the way they see themselves. Confidence and success comes from sharing yourself with the world. A great hairstyle can be part of that.”
Confidence plays a large part of your overall look and for those who are experiencing hair loss, confidence may be something they are lacking. “For some people, losing their hair is like losing their identity,” says Chris Garner-Giles with Hair Specialists. “Many men can get away with shaving their head and be secure with it, but there are a few that don’t feel that way. Not every man has a good-looking head like Bruce Willis! For some men, it makes them feel aged and results in a loss of confidence. For a woman, it is even harder to deal with as women can’t get away with shaving their head without someone thinking they are ill. For a woman, losing hair is like losing their total identity. Most women only have a few bad hair days a month, but for a woman with hair loss, it’s a bad hair day every day! When you give someone back what they have lost, they become a complete person again. Men stand a little taller and women smile a little brighter.”
Final thoughts
“The look of success is about more than the clothes you have on,” concludes Ashlie Hadden with Embellish. “It is about your attitude and the confidence you exude. The ‘look of success’ always includes a polished outfit, a smile on your face and a friendly demeanor when you’re working with others.”
We all have our own unique look that coincides with our lifestyle, our personality and our personal set of tastes. The best way to achieve your own look of success is to work with the right professionals to help boost your confidence and remember to always be yourself!