| Our New Year is only two days away, so there's | | | | length. Mid-calf skirts look matronly, and |
| still time to add one more resolution to your list. | | | | ankle-length skirts look severe. |
| This one will get you treated like a VIP, open | | | | Secret #3: For Men--Wear Classy Shirts and Ties: |
| doors, and warrant deferential treatment | | | | - The most important rule of all: The tie must |
| wherever you go. The resolution is to improve | | | | dominate (by color, not gaudy pattern). Red, |
| your image. People form strong opinions quickly, | | | | burgundy, yellow and indigo look dynamic. Avoid |
| so looking polished, professional and worldly is | | | | red and yellow together; it suggests food, not |
| important for everyone. | | | | business. Avoid matching shirts and ties. |
| Here are seven secrets to improve your image | | | | - Good tie patterns: stripes, discreet polka dots, |
| this year: | | | | small repeating patterns (club or Ivy League). |
| Secret #1: Choose Winning Colors: | | | | - Shirts: Well-cut, white cotton shirts are the most |
| - The darker the color, the higher the authority. | | | | powerful. |
| Pastels decrease authority immensely. | | | | Secret #4: For Women--Wear Bold Accessories: |
| - Earthy (grunge) colors look drab and are too | | | | - Bold accessories give a look of power, success |
| casual. This includes most shades of beige, brown, | | | | and worldliness. Wear belts with skirts and pants. |
| camel, moss green and dark olive green. Brown | | | | - Earrings are a must. Good example: chunky |
| easily looks matronly on women. | | | | hoops. Avoid thin ones as they are associated |
| - Think classy, not flashy. Bright food colors such | | | | with gypsies and teenagers. Flat clip earrings look |
| as orange and lime green are flashy, while rich | | | | conservative and stern. |
| colors like racing green and magenta are classy. | | | | - Bold, chunky necklaces and pins are also good |
| Secret #2: Choose Suits that Suggest Power: | | | | power accessories. Single-strand pearls and |
| - Men: Wear dark suits. Dark colors are more | | | | scarves are for "ladies lunch." |
| authoritative. They are also more slimming, and | | | | Secret #5: For Women-Wear Professional Makeup |
| "fit-looking" people are often judged to be more | | | | - Numerous recent studies confirm that women |
| dynamic and successful. Buy the best quality | | | | are judged to be more successful, powerful and |
| gabardine suit you can afford. If your budget is | | | | capable with good makeup. Subtle pink |
| modest, a navy blue suit will look more expensive | | | | foundations and blushers look less "made up" than |
| than its brown, grey or black counterpart. Caution: | | | | yellow-toned ones. Avoid: blue eye shadow, |
| with black suits, the wrong shirt and tie can make | | | | brown-toned lipstick (power looks entail bolder |
| it look (1) severe, (2) reserved or (3) too slick. | | | | lipsticks.) |
| Beige suits are fine in the summer, but they must | | | | Secret #6: Keep it Simple with Shoes |
| be worn with power ties. Never belt trousers | | | | - Keep shoes simple and unobtrusive. Feet should |
| below the natural waistline. It is not classy and | | | | not be noticed. |
| actually accentuates a protruding stomach. | | | | Secret #7: Develop good posture |
| - Women: Wear high-fashion suit jackets or suits | | | | - Develop good posture. It is worth a million dollars |
| in dark colors or deep jewel tones. Avoid | | | | in terms of image. Stand up straight, take a deep |
| collegiate looks: blazer jackets, turtlenecks, long | | | | breath and get a "proud chest." Maintain that |
| chains with pendants, and pearls. Black needs bold | | | | posture, but let the shoulders relax a little when |
| accessories and lipstick (pinks, soft reds) to | | | | exhaling. This guarantees a self assured and |
| prevent a severe look. Wear skirts at knee | | | | successful image. |