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DRESS FOR SUCCESS!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS DO COUNT!

Dear Maureen,

I have heard the phrase "Dress for Success" and "There's never a second chance to make a good first impression, but these days, I see just about anything, even at finer restaurants like jeans, sneakers...I even saw a businessman in his company T-shirt!

What IS the right way to dress?

Dear Derrick,

As styles change, you would think so would the business world...unfortunately not true. So here is a partial list of 3 of the 5 things I always suggest to my clients for business attire. Try them on for size and good luck. I will provide the other two in my next column.

1. Dining out with a client? Don't always assume that you'll be eating at a chain restaurant. While fewer and fewer restaurants are enforcing dress codes, there are still some fine dining establishments that frown upon sloppy, unusually casual or bohemian attire. While it is just good advice to "dress for the job you would like to have," it is doubly important to dress in a refined and well groomed fashion if you will be representing your company or business for a professional luncheon or dinner. It's better to arrive with your own jacket and tie on than to be asked by the dining staff to don the restaurant's stand by sports coat. Ladies, dress modestly. Make sure that your dining companion is looking at your lovely face, not at some other attractive part of your body instead. Sexy is good for a nightclub, it will undermine your authority in a professional environment.

2. Men, want to enhance your professional image? While a clean, conservative silk tie, an understated, well tailored suit and a pair of shined leather shoes will undoubtedly communicate intelligence and authority, don't unravel the look by wearing the wrong socks. Sound crazy? Not really. Be sure to wear socks that come above your calves-no flashy tie, starched shirt or fabulous wristwatch can overcome a hairy leg peeping out from underneath your designer suit.

3. Wondering what to wear to work? Ask yourself the following questions: Is this outfit correct for the season? Is it too trendy or is my choice a good basic fashion look? Does my outfit flatter me? Does my choice require washing, ironing or dry cleaning? Considering the image my company would like me to project, is this an appropriate choice to wear?

Maureen@highroadsolutions.com

Editor's Note: Maureen Wild produces this monthly column for UPBEAT NEWS and welcomes your questions. Maureen is a certified etiquette and ethics trainer with credentials from The Protocol School of Washington and The Josephson Institute of Ethics. She has led seminars for many Fortune 500 companies and prominent colleges and universities. Wild has also been active in Meeting Professionals International and is a member of the National Speakers Association. Most recently she has been quoted in The New York Times Sunday business section "O," the Oprah magazine and Self Magazine. Recently, she was certified by the State of NJ to mentor small business owners. Maureen has been interviewed on matters of ethics and etiquette for national television and radio programs. You may reach her at: Maureen@highroadsolutions.
.com or 908-722-2077. When writing to her, please mention you read about her in UPBEAT NEWS.

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