Dress To Impress!

 

There are times in our lives when the right clothes can make all the difference in how others perceive us. Dress to impress a first date, your spouse’s boss, or his family. How you dress can make subtle and big differences in your life or the lives of those you love. Look at this as a guide to what not to wear as well as what to wear for the occasions of your life.

Dress to Impress for an Interview or Meeting a Client
Whether you’re heading off for an interview for a prospective job or meeting with a client to land a project for your new business you want to look successful, smart, and serious. You must dress to impress the interviewer or possible client. So let’s take a look at each “S” factor one at a time to get an idea of what kind of dress may help you get that job or project.

Serious: When you walk through the door you want to be taken seriously. This is not the time to look silly, quirky, sexy, flirty, or fun.  Do a bit of research before the interview.  Know the style of dress that the company expects before you walk in the door. If you want to appear serious to the interviewer or client dressing appropriate to the company may garner you points.

Successful: Looking successful doesn’t necessarily mean expensive or designer label. It does mean that you must look appropriate for the occasion. Anytime you’re walking into a place of business be aware of what others wear. Is this is a business where khaki casual is ok every day of the week? If so, then wearing a designer suit may send the wrong message.

The same goes for the other end of the spectrum. If the entire office dresses in power suits then wearing your favorite pair of khakis and a pink sweater won’t cut it.

Smart: Dress in a smart fashion that pulls the look together. Use accessories to add punches of color or shine to what you’re wearing.  Large hoop earrings are not appropriate as an accompaniment to business attire so leave them at home when heading off for your interview.  If you know the client your meeting is artistic and enjoys color consider adding a printed scarf to punch it up. Dress to impress by using your smart style to gain advantage.

Dress to Impress a First Date
You pass each other in the park every morning while jogging. One day he stops you and a conversation ensues.  The next thing you know you’ve said yes to going out to dinner on Friday night. The only thing he’s ever seen you in consists of running shoes, a ratty t-shirt with your alma mater emblazoned on the front, and a pair of running shorts. He already has a first impression of you as a jogger, but now it’s time to dress to impress him with who you are outside of the run-to-keep-fit world. What to wear depends on where you’re going, but there are a few standard rules to keep in mind on a first date.  Start by asking yourself, When the door opens what do I want his first impression to be? Choose a few key words to define how you want to appear to him: Classy, elegant, preppy, fun, silly, feminine, sporty, grungy, or easy sleazy?  On a first date it’s never a good idea to
give the impression that you’re cheap so stay away from clothes that are too tight, too short, or reveal too much.  Keep in mind that sexy is a state of mind not a state of dress or undress. A first date should be about fun, but let your quirky, fun personality shine through rather than dress in an outlandish way that may give the wrong impression. Even though you love designer clothes think twice before wearing the dress you just bought that screams high-dollar unless you want to scare him off with your expensive tastes. Play it down on a first date if you want a second one. Dress to impress your date by being age appropriate. If you’re over 35 you may want to reconsider wearing a mini-skirt and shirt that shows too much tummy. On the other hand wearing clothes that look like something from grandma’s closet won’t work at all. Have fun, let your style show through but be aware that what you wear sends a message to the guy ringing your doorbell.

Dress to Impress Your Future In-Laws
He popped the question and you responded with a resounding yes and a long kiss. Now it’s time to meet the people who have influenced his life more than anyone else on the planet. It’s time to meet your future in-laws.  You want to send a clear message that you’re respectful and you want to be welcomed with open arms into the intimate circle of his family. By now you know who he is and where he’s been. You’ll know if his family are fun-loving, down-home folks or live in an Upper East Side apartment. You can never go wrong when you dress appropriately for the occasion and when unsure it’s better to be over dressed rather than under dressed.
When you know you’ll be scrutinized from head to toe make sure you’re well groomed and dressed to impress his parents. Leave the short-shorts at home and go for a more conservative casual outfit at a family picnic. Forget the low-cut Marilyn Monroe halter dress and opt for a pretty dress that shows off your taste when dining with the future in-laws for the first time in a posh restaurant. Don’t let what you’re wearing distract them for getting to know you.

Dress to Impress Wedding Guests and Your Daughter, the Bride
The mother of the bride or MOTB is an integral part of a successful wedding, but she’s not the focus and should always keep that in mind when choosing a dress for her daughter’s wedding. Dress to impress guests and the bride. Upstaging the bride on her wedding day will only create ill feelings so think classy and understated elegance. Horror stories abound of MOTB’s showing up at their daughters’ wedding wearing white gowns, cowboy hats and boots, over the top sexy dresses, or quirky costumes that keeps guests whispering and snickering.  This mode of dress draws the attention away from the person who should be front and center, the bride.  Stand by beaming garbed in a way befitting the role of mother of the bride. The MOTB’s dress or suit need not be the same color as the bride’s chosen palette, but it should be subtle and beautiful. Above all else the outfit must be age appropriate and appropriate to the style of wedding.  A long dress for an informal wedding is not suitable. Casual attire for a black tie wedding fails toimpress anyone and again draws attention away from the bride.  Blend in with grace and elegance. Let your daughter be the pinnacle of lovely on her special day.

Dress to Impress Your Spouse’s Boss
There are times in our lives when we must stand proudly beside someone we love to encourage them, enhance the moment, and let them shine. Dinner with your spouse’s boss is one of those times. Your goal is to dress to impress without subduing your sparkling personality or stealing the limelight from your partner. You want to make your significant other proud when you take his arm and walk into the room. Let your style be your guide but keep it within the parameters of the time and place. The little black dress may be the best choice for the occasion of meeting your husband’s boss as long as it’s not too daring or revealing.  A sleek, refined black dress with the right accessories gives a classic impression of good taste. You want to support your partner, not outshine him by dressing over the top.

Dress to impress for the occasions of your life comes down to knowing who you’re trying to impress, what the occasion is, where you’re going, and even the time the occasion will occur. Make sensible decisions regarding your apparel. Always consider the statement you want to make. Serious, successful, and smart for business or elegant yet understated when you want someone you love to shine. Flirty and fun, but within the realm of good taste for a first date always works. Conservative and slightly over dressed versus under dressed is a good rule of thumb for meeting future in-laws. Intertwine your personal style with classic choices and dress to impress.

 
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