Making Yourself Memorable

Making yourself memorable in today's crowded marketplace is one of the essential goals of any executive. Whether you are seeking to inject dynamism into your job search, or are part of a re-energizing commercial or non-profit entity, I'd like to suggest you raise the bar on your physical appearance. In so doing, you will inspire your colleagues to do the same. Of course, if your organization has made an investment in presenting clients and the public with a uniform look, there may not be an opportunity for individualism. Today, I am suggesting that you examine how your choices in clothing and accessories can distinguish you from other professionals in a room--who may be "taking center stage" before or after you.

Exploring established corporate colors, or choosing a distinct personal color palette, may be a simple foundation on which to structure your professional "look." For this website, and other promotional venues for Imaginings, I have focused on shades of black, white, and gold, with accents of deep plum. That doesn't mean these are the only colors I wear for business, but I will usually incorporate a couple of them when dressing for a business meeting. With variations in perceptions of color [see Plays on Color] and the effect of layering fabrics and other materials, I try to use some gradient colors to enhance the blending of shades and tones.

Today most designers veer away from "matchy-match" elements. However, harmonizing separate components produces a synchronicity that promotes overall impact. For instance, in the ebony and amber jewelry shown below, there is a balance within the shades and tones of brown. Further, despite the hardness of sterling silver, the detailed wood carving and warmth of the amber offer a sense of harmony with nature. This is not to say such a piece can only be worn with a peasant skirt and sandals. Combined with straight, modern lines in your suit, shoes, handbag and briefcase, this jewelry would soften and personalize an otherwise typical twenty-first century business look.

While women have a broader array of choices in apparel than men in most professional fields, there are several ways in which a man can distinguish himself in appearance. Before investing in upgrading your wardrobe, it might be useful for my male readers to buy a men's magazine to see what styles, textures and colors are being promoted. Even if you decline to embrace every element, you can demonstrate your interpretation of modernity--beginning with a moderately fashionable haircut.  While wild prints are not appropriate for most professional positions, a thin diagonal stripe on a tie with a light colored shirt, or one with any small-pattern can be worn with a solid colored shirt to provide an expression of your personal style--especially if the colors enhance your eyes and/or skin tone.

Regardless of age or gender, some choices in style can affect the degree to which you will be respected in your career.  Unlike the past, there are no hard and fast rules for personal grooming or assembling an ideal wardrobe—other than always being clean, demonstrating respect for the environment in which you are meeting others, and projecting an awareness of your colleagues’ expectations. However, with the keen candidates vying for attention in every company, you do need to periodically review the corporate climate of any organization with which you wish to align yourself. 

Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, wearing some form of a corporate logo will gladden the heart of most bosses, especially since it proclaims your company affiliation at professional events. To catch the eye of specific categories of people, consider incorporating recognizable insignia into your wardrobe--such as a class ring, pin, or tie tac from a distinguished society, fraternal organization or notable school. Sometimes a local accent is useful in establishing your connection to the community. Here in the American Southwest, both men and women enjoy wearing Native American jewelry, and often decorate their work areas with other arts of the region.

Finally, there is the issue of suitability. If your company is having a picnic, it would not be appropriate to show up in a suit--especially if you are currently working in the shipping department. Like most of the issues we have explored, launch your self-renewal by:

~ Beginning with the end in your mind's eye--What do you want to project through your appearance?

~ Doing your homework--What style elements reflect your industry? How can you personalize them to reflect your personal style?

~ Evaluating what lies in your closet and drawers before purchasing new items can be revealing, especially if you are making a shift in career or entering a new position within an organization. Lay out potential combinations of clothing and accessories on a plain background and consider how they fit your vision of the next chapter in your life. If there are gaps in your wardrobe, consider whether two new shirts or blouses, a couple of new accessories (consider a high-end consignment shop) or a trip to a seamstress, will generate sufficient outfits for upcoming interviews and the first days of new employment.

The jewelry designs I offered above are samples of my personalized statements of style. Although I'm not selling jewelry, wearing one of my own designs is often a conversational opening and it affords me the opportunity to demonstrate the design aesthetic I offer a client, or a professional or community organization. I'll let you guess the occasions for which I would be presenting the Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian Mysteries, my professional brand, or the Southwest United States where I now live…

What can you wear to highlight your personality and style?
Is there anything you can wear or carry that
demonstrates your skill set and profession?