The new year is only a day old, so there's still time to add one more resolution to improve your image. People form strong opinion quickly, so looking polished, professional and worldly is important. Here are seven secrets to improve your image in 2005:
Choose winning colors:
The darker the color, the higher the authority. Pastels decrease authority immensely.
Earthy colors look drab and are too casual. This includes most shades of beige, brown, camel, moss green and dark olive green. Brown easily looks matronly on women.
Think classy, not flash. Bright food colors such as orange and lime green are flashy, while rich colors like racing green and magenta are classy.
Choose suits that suggest power:
Men: Wear dark suits, as dark colors are more authoritative. They are also more slimming, and also more slimming, and "fit-looking" people are often judged to be more dynamic and successful. Buy the best quality gabardine suit you can afford. If your budget is modest, a navy blue suit will look more expensive than its brown, gray or black counterpart. Caution with black suits: The wrong shirt and tie can make it look severe, reserved or too slick. Beige suits are fine in the summer, but they must be worn with power ties. Never belt trousers below the natural waistline. It is not classy and actually accentuates a protruding stomach.
Women: Wear high-fashion suit jackets or suits in dark colors or deep jewel tones. Avoid collegiate looks: blazer jackets, turtlenecks, long chains with pendants and pearls. Black needs bold accessories and lipstick – pinks, soft reds – to prevent a severe look. Wear skirts at knee length. Mid-calf skirts look matronly, and ankle-length skirts look severe.

Source: Virginia Pilot
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