A Suitable Ploy
The Sunday Age
Sunday March 9, 1997
STYLE and success are synonymous, according to image consultant Jon Michail. He says fashion has no place in the business world, that people who wear black all the time are pathologically depressed and that knowing what to wear and when to wear it is a sure ticket to life in the corporate fast lane.
"If you want to be a success in the corporate world, you'd better not dress in the latest fashion trends," says Michail.
"Fads are unacceptable in business, they are seen as flighty. In business you want to create an image of being stable and secure."
Michail's style is that of an evangelist; enthusiastic, passionate and super slick.
His speech is loaded with bold one-liners and catchy quotes.
Despite the hype, his advice on dressing for success in business is valid; keep it classic, understated and simple if you want to climb the corporate ladder.
"If you don't know how to dress, you may not be maximising your worth and the chances are you're short-changing yourself," he says.
He preaches that dressing well is about more than looking good, it is also about feeling good.
"If people are confident that they look great, they really start believing in themselves," he says.
"It's about people empowerment."
Jon Michail, a former fashion designer, runs Image Group International, which helps people further their careers by improving their wardrobes.
"We always tell people to dress for the job position they want, not the one they have," he says.
But there is a difference between power dressing and dressing for empowerment.
"You don't want to be too bold, over the top or obvious. You just want to look good so you get a foot in the door to either get a job or get the job done," he says.
We asked Michail to put together the quintessential corporate uniform guaranteed to make a positive, not to mention, authoritative impression.
WOMEN.
1. Long hair should be neat, but preferably tied back.
2. Demure earrings are essential. They help establish communication by attracting attention to the eyes and face.
3. A blouse with a collar is an important physical sign. It signals influence and authority.
4. A navy or teal single-breasted suit is smart, classic and authoritative. Three to five buttons are acceptable.
5. Only wear a fitted jacket if you have a good waist. If you are not confident about your body shape wear a long-line jacket that covers the hips.
6. A straight skirt just above the knee is ideal. Keep skirt lengths in proportion to your height. If you are petite, a shorter skirt will make you look taller.
7. When going into a meeting only take the briefcase. Don't take your handbag as well because it looks unprofessional.
8. A classic court shoe with a mid-height heel completes the ensemble.
MEN.
1. A short neat hairstyle is essential. Long hair (and earrings) is inappropriate.
2. When buying business shirts stick to white, off-white or variations of blue. They are classic and stylish.
3. A tie is a man's signature. Don't be cheesy or kitsch. The knot should be an "under and over" style with a dimple and the tie should finish between the top and bottom of the belt buckle.
4. Peaked lapels indicate success; any movement up signals power.
5. The double-breasted suit has a powerful image, which stems from its association with gangsters. It is also most flattering for a portly figure.
6. A navy single-breasted or double-breasted suit is a classic choice. Navy, the traditional color of European and English banking suits, represents prestige and wealth. 7. Classic cap-toe shoes or brogues are impeccable and timeless choices in footwear.
JON MICHAIL'S TIPS: USING YOUR IMAGE-INATION.
Corporate Style Tips:
* Women should never buy a man his business ties. Ties are personal and should be a reflection of your personality.
* Women should always keep jewellery to a minimum. Earrings are unacceptable for men.
* When entering a business meeting always wear a jacket, even if it's warm, because it is a statement of authority.
* Learn how to shake hands properly; firmly and purposefully.
* Learn how to carry yourself properly. It doesn't matter how well you dress if you stand with a slouch.
Style and Success:
* "Clothes do not maketh the man or woman, they make you more impressive ... and acceptable."
* "By dressing like a success, you have taken the first big step towards becoming a success."
* "Always dress beyond your current job and lifestyle."
* "When you buy cheap, you get cheap ... and look cheap."
* "Style is highly personal and the mark of people who are supremely confident of
their own taste."
STOCKISTS Cosgrove and Beasley 9419-4477 Country Road 9267-1400 Dom Bagnato 9662-1884 Kolotex 9650-6233
© 1997 The Sunday Age