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It's a fact that a woman’s appearance is under more scrutiny than a man’s, even if they are applying for the same position. Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin are perfect examples: their clothes and hair were analyzed at least as often as their policy positions. We’ve come a long way in the 21^st century, but brilliant and capable women are still fighting for equality in the workplace. Why? Because image matters far more than most people realize.

 The way you look and dress announces the outcome others can expect from you. If you want credibility and respect, you must have an image that is state-of-the-art from head to toe. If you want your colleagues to focus on your words rather than your appearance, you must put together a flawless “uniform” that instantly tells them you are the one who will get the job done. Men learned centuries ago that they must adhere to a certain “uniform” to succeed in the world. That uniform, in various cuts and styles, is more or less the same suit men wear today. They did briefly dabble with frills and frippery during the 1700s, but most of us will recall that the French Revolution and the guillotine quickly ended that experiment.  

Women, on the other hand, have not had such strict rules about apparel. We are still treading relatively new waters when it comes to feminine business attire. This is evident if you just look around you, or in any women’s magazine to see the wide range of clothing women believe to be appropriate for work. But to ensure your colleagues are as serious about your career as you are, there are certain elements of your appearance that you would do well to master. 

Women must wear substantial colors and styles. Men are restricted to conservative colored suits - navy, taupe, black, and so on. Women are not only able to wear bold colored suits and jackets, we look more powerful and credible when we do. Choose classy colors such as royal blue, ruby red, magenta, or deep emerald green. Remember that “food colors” such as orange or lime green tend to look more flashy than classy. As for the cut of a suit, we’re women - not men, so choose styles that flatter your body and fit at the waist. Avoid “Daddy’s jacket”, which will make you look dowdy, and as if you literally stole your daddy’s jacket!  

Wear professional makeup. According to the latest findings from Judith Waters, PhD, professor of psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, it pays to wear professional-looking makeup. In this study, resumes with photos attached were presented to 500 HR executives. Women with professional makeup were all awarded a salary range up to 18% higher than those who either wore inappropriate colors or no makeup at all.

Have your hair professionally cut and styled. The goal of your impression strategy is to draw attention to the face, and your hair frames your face. If you have a shabby or out-of-date hairstyle, then that's what people will remember.  Bold accessories make a woman look successful and worldly. Earrings are a must. Wide, elongated and chunky hoop earrings that resemble a large oval wedding band are good examples because they hug your face and are seen as part of you. Thin round hoops are not professional; they make most people think of gypsies or teenagers. Studs are fine, but they remain "neutral" and do not add power. Bold necklaces and pins are also good power accessories, but note that single-strand pearls and scarves very often look demure, not business-like. Keep shoes simple, clean and unobtrusive. Feet should not be noticed. If a potential employer or client feels compelled to look at your shoes, socks or stockings, something is wrong.

Remember that there is a difference between “being in style” and “having style”. Save “girly” clothes (ruffles, sheer fabrics, pastels, etc.) for the office holiday party or the country club because they can diminish your power in the workplace. And don’t forget good posture; along with a friendly smile, it is worth a million dollars in terms of image. Barbara Walters was right when she said, “There are few times in your life when it isn’t too melodramatic to say that your destiny hangs on the impression you make.”

 Sandy Dumont, THE Image Architect is an image consultant and professional speaker based in Virginia Beach, with 30 years of international and national experience helping individuals and Fortune 500 companies improve their image. She conducts customized Branding for People™workshops on a regular basis. For more information, visit www.theimagearchitect.com or call 757/627-6669.