Why Your Image is YOUR Business!

Why Your ‘Image’ is Your

Business
Linda Ferguson Designs

First Impressions
In the first 30 seconds people
make at least 12 assumptions
about you based on what
they see; and it can be very
difficult to change that first
impression even after
numerous meetings.

First Impressions
On those few precious seconds we are judged on
appearance
intelligence
competency
educational level
personality
achievements
level of success
worldliness
sense of humour
social heritage
savoir faire

Your Image
You could be the
smartest person in the
room, but if your image
is at odds with what you
are saying, your
credibility will be
seriously diminished.

The bottom line?
Your image is
talking for you - before
you even open your
mouth!

Image Building Blocks
Your image can position you
for the success you desire
professionally and
personally.

Just Ask Yourself?
1. What image do I project
to others?
2. How do I want to be
perceived?

Dressing with Purpose
When you dress with a
purpose, you know what
colours make your skin come
to life, you wear the correct
fitted garment for your body
type along with coordinated
accessories.
You now have created an
overall ‘VIBE’ that simply
radiates from you and that is
very powerful and magnetic!

Personal Brand
Every woman has a unique life
situation, personality and purpose which impacts how she will be
perceived and how she perceives
herself.
What is yours?
Your Personal Brand hinges on
establishing a reputation for
yourself, showcasing what
differentiates you from other
women.
It says: this woman has her act
together!

Personal Brand
Developing a strong Personal Brand
takes
effort, focus and deep soul searching.
Play to your strengths because those
qualities will come naturally to you.
Just start by building a strong
foundation for your Personal Brand
and build on your qualities of
Authenticity, Credibility, Expertise
and Reputation!

One Chance!
You only get
ONE chance to
make a Killer
first
impression!

Dressing Well
The key thing to Dressing Well
for success early on in your
career is looking like you’ve
already achieved success.

1.  Appearance
2.  Smile
3.  Energy
4.  Body Language

What’s Your STYLE?
Dressing appropriately
is very important in first
impressions.
Appropriate dress
shows that you respect
your business and your
customers.

What’s Your STYLE?
If you look successful and
confident, then others will
have more confidence in
you as well.
When you are dressed
properly, there is also
nothing to distract others
from your message.

Authentic Style
An integral, personal style that
allows you to attract
love,
claims your power,
balances your energy
and reveals who you truly are - by
choosing the
colours,
clothing and
objects
that best express your
True Authentic Self!

True Style
True Style is ageless and
timeless and absolutely
authentic.
Style is knowing who you are,
embracing your unique body
type and dressing in ways that
look and feel good on you.
Your clothing is just another
way of expressing yourself to
the world.

Fashion Style Quiz
You are a true bohemian. You love wearing loose-flowing, romantic tops, skirts, and dresses. You tend toward looking

Q

A

A
Bohemian

casual, yet pretty. Most of your clothes can go from day to night. You look like you just walked off the beach, no matter
what time it is, because you have a relaxed, easy vibe about you.
Your colour palette includes white, off-white, and more white, earth tones, brown, with some beach colours like turquoise
and coral.
You love to wear your polo shirts. You pair them with crisp pants or shorts, depending on the weather and the activity. You
are likely to be seen in shorts at the country club during the day and pants at the evening barbecue. The cable knit sweater

1

B
Preppy

is the cornerstone of your wardrobe.
Your colour palette is navy blue, kelly green, and pink — all paired with crisp white, if not one another. Your wardrobe is
also filled with bold prints, such as plaid, madras, and argyle, for when you’re in the mood to be noticed. The prep look is
totally “old school” yet multigenerational and current.

2

C
Surfer Chic

Your No. 1 priority is how big the waves are. You don’t care what’s going on in the real world. Your world is the beach. Your
outfit of choice is a bikini and rash guard, with sheepskin boots (of course). Your colour palette is red, yellow, and blue —
all paired with sand or off-white. The bright colours are reminiscent of all the beautiful foliage in Hawaii. Plus, they let other
surfers know you’re coming when you catch the big wave!
You’re the ultimate fashionista! You love the big city. You adore your uniform of all black with stiletto boots, stiletto pumps,

3

D
Fashionista

or stiletto sandals. You love to dress up, be in all the latest trends, and wear all designer names. You know which pieces to
spend your money on and how to make the whole look appear expensive. You never miss an issue of Vogue, Elle, or
Harper’s Bazaar. Your colour palette is black and more black, paired with the colour of the moment, which is, of course,
“the New Black.”

You have an easy way about dressing and are always put together and chic. You stick very close to the basics. You can
buy your clothes at Gap or on Madison Avenue, or a combination — after all, a classic is a classic. Your wardrobe consists

4

E
Classic

of white button-down shirts, jeans and slacks, the perfect black blazer, the perfect little black dress, and a fabulous trench
coat or two. You also have a drawer full of beautiful scarves and a closet full of gorgeous purses.
Your colour palette is denim, white, and black, with splashes of colour here and there in the form of an accessory such as a
scarf or purse. Clothing is basically neutral in colour. The ultimate example of a classic is, of course, Jackie O.

You have a casual lifestyle outside the big city. You spend most of your time taking care of everyone else, but you manage

5

F
Suburbanit
e

to squeeze in an exercise/yoga class, a trip to the gym, or a run outside when you can. A cute, well-fitting sweat suit is your
‘Go-to Outfit’ first thing in the morning, and it generally carries you through all the day’s activities. If an evening activity is on
the agenda, a quick change to slacks or jeans and a sweater or nice T-shirt does the trick. Your colour palette consists of


darker colours like navy, grey, and black. These colours are flattering and slimming and don’t show stains or wear and tear

Fashion Style Quiz #1
Question #1
You are most comfortable in ...
A. Long, flowing dresses
B. Cable-knit sweaters
C. A bikini
D. The latest trend
E. A white button-down shirt
and jeans
F. A fitted sweat suit

Question #2
When not working, you feel
most like yourself ...
A. In a romantic vacation spot
B. On the golf course or tennis
court at the country club
C. On a beach
D. In a big city
E. At home hosting an intimate
dinner party
F. In your SUV with the children

Question #3
Your accessory of choice is...
A. An armful of gold bangles
B. A strand or two of pearls
C. A rash guard
D. The new “it” bag
E. Big, round, black “Jackie
O” sunglasses
F. A diaper bag

Question #4
You perfect everyday
shoes are ...
A. Flip-flops
B. Loafers
C. Barefoot
D. Stilettos
E. Flats
F. Runners


Question #5
You tend to wear ...
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Mostly white
Lots of navy blue
Bright colours
Head-to-toe black
Anything neutral
Dark colours

The Bohemian
Mostly A’s: The Bohemian
You love wearing loose-flowing, romantic
tops, skirts, and dresses.
You tend toward looking casual, yet pretty.
Most of your clothes can go from day to
night.
You look like you just walked off the beach,
no matter what time it is, because you have
a relaxed, easy vibe about you.
Your colour palette includes white, offwhite, and more white, earth tones, brown,
and some beach colours like turquoise and
coral.

The Preppy
Mostly B’s: The Preppy
You love to wear your polo shirts, pants and
shorts.
The cable knit sweater is the cornerstone of
your wardrobe.
Your colour palette is navy blue, kelly green,
and pink — all paired with crisp white, if not
one another.
Your wardrobe is also filled with bold prints,
such as plaid, madras, and argyle, for when
you’re in the mood to be noticed.
The prep look is totally “old school” yet
multigenerational and current as well.


The Surfer Chic
TheSurfer Chic
TheSurfer Chic

Mostly C’s: The Surfer Chic
Your world is the beach.

Your outfit of choice is a bikini and rash
guard, with sheepskin boots (of course).
Your colour palette is red, yellow, and blue
— all paired with sand or off-white.
The bright colours are reminiscent of all
the beautiful foliage in Hawaii.
Plus, they let other surfers know you’re
coming when you catch the big wave!

The Fashionista
Mostly D’s: The Fashionista
You’re the ultimate Fashionista!
You love the big city.
You adore your uniform of all black with stiletto boots,
stiletto pumps, or stiletto sandals.
You love to dress up, be in all the latest trends, and
wear all designer names.
You know which pieces to spend your money on and
how to make the whole look appear expensive.
You never miss an issue of Vogue, Elle, or Harper’s
Bazaar.
Your colour palette is black and more black, paired
with the colour of the moment, which is, of course,
“the New Black.”

The Classic
Mostly E’s: The Classic
You have an easy way about dressing and are
always put together and chic.
Your wardrobe consists of white button-down
shirts, jeans and slacks, the perfect black blazer,
the perfect little black dress, and a fabulous
trench coat.
You also have a drawer full of beautiful scarves
and a closet full of gorgeous purses.
Your colour palette is denim, white, and black,
with splashes of colour in the form of an
accessory such as a scarf or purse.
Clothing is basically neutral in colour.
The ultimate example of a classic is,Jackie O.


The Suburbanite
Mostly F’s: The Suburbanite
Your casual lifestyle is spent time taking care of
everyone else, but you manage to squeeze in a
yoga class, or a trip to the gym.
A cute, well-fitting sweat suit is your ‘Go-to
Outfit’ first thing in the morning, and it
generally carries you through all the day’s
activities.
If an evening activity is on the agenda, a quick
change into slacks or jeans and a sweater or Tshirt works for you.
Your colour palette consists of darker colours
like navy, grey, and black.


Personal Style
If you are all over the map, it means
that you don’t currently dress in any
particular style.
How do you picture yourself and see
your life, rather than what it currently
may be?
You don’t want to have too many styles
going on at the same time.
Rather than attempting to develop
different styles for different occasions,
work on finding ways to use your
Personal Style as a common thread in
any outfit you put together.


Dress Codes
* UBS, the Swiss Investment Bank, issued
a Guidance in 2011 talking about the
colour of female employees' underwear,
the best perfume to wear and the length
of employees' toenails ("to extend the life
of their stockings").
The Guidance was 44 pages long.
Men were told how to tie a tie, and to get
their hair cut once a month.

Work Wardrobe
Strategies for a winning
‘Work Wardrobe’ is to perfect
the Art of presenting a
Powerful, Polished,
Professional Presence the
First Time & Every Time.
Women who possess a
Professional Presence,
exude confidence and are seen
as strategic, assertive and
intelligent.

Professional Image
Your image is an asset which
can effectively position you for
the success you desire.
You need to successfully
manage your
Professional Image,
in the same way that you
manage your finances.


Investment Dressing
Your Work
Wardrobe is an
Investment in YOU.
So make wise
investments in
clothing pieces that
are
quality conscious,
attractive,
pulled together and
stylish.

Appearance
Your appearance is your expression
to others about who you are and
what you stand for.
The way you look reflects your self
image, attitude, confidence and
state of mind.
A strong, purposeful presence is
the hallmark of an effective image.


Looking Good
When you look good - you
naturally feel more confident.
You tend to radiate an aura of
effortless positive energy which
becomes contagious and
magnetic.
Others will be drawn to you and
respond with the same positive
energy that you yourself
project.


8 Image Enhancers
1.

Scarves

2.

Colours

3.

Perfect fitting pair of Jeans

4.

Invest in a flattering Hair cut

5.

Cardigans - cashmere

6.

Experiment with a new make-

up application
7.

Standing erect makes you look

poised, slimmer and taller
8.

Foundation Garments

7 Professional Tips
Tip #1
Invest
in
Good
Quality
Clothing

7 Professional Tips
Tip #2
Your image not
only includes your
clothing, but also
your grooming,
poise, posture and
non verbal cues.

7 Professional Tips
Tip #3
You are a ‘Walking
Business Card’ for
you business.
So make sure that
you are in sync with
your Personal Brand
and your Company’s
Brand.


7 Professional Tips
Tip #4
Colours convey
their own ‘energy’
so you need to
know how to use
them effectively in
all business
situations.

7 Professional Tips
Tip #5
Dump the FRUMP!
Take the time to get
dressed appropriately
each and every day.
Be consistent with your
image and think about
what it communicates to
others.

7 Professional Tips
Tip #6
Express your own
unique ‘Personal
Style’ while still
maintaining a
distinct
Professional
profile.


7 Professional Tips
Tip #7
Command attention
when you walk into a
room, by dressing to
achieve an effective
Professional
Presence!
Invest in yourself
FIRST!
Aung San Suu Kyi

Always
remember that
your image is a
‘Walking
Business Card’
communicating
who you are, as
a professional!

Thank YOU!

Why Your Image is YOUR Business!

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (19)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to Why Your Image is YOUR Business!

Similar to Why Your Image is YOUR Business! (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Why Your Image is YOUR Business!