Spring Joy! Wardrobe Cautions...

Spring is finally here, ladies, and after such a long winter we want to get into those warm weather clothes! I know at times this winter we wondered if our spring clothes would ever see the light of day again, but the warmth has finally arrived. I was out yesterday delivering to a client and waited in the company lobby for about 20 minutes. While waiting I was able to engage in one of my favorite activities-people watching! Whew-- the things I saw! While many women were dressed appropriately for corporate life, there were many others that definitely were not! So, as spring arrives and we want to strip off heavy layers of winter clothes, here are a few tips to ensure your image is always top notch.

• Don’t show too much skin. This is one of the quickest ways to tarnish your image. I know with the warm temperatures, the temptation to wear less (sometimes much less) is there. Be careful! I saw a woman as I waited yesterday that was wearing a wrap dress. Usually a wrap dress would be fine for the office. But not this wrap dress. It was entirely too short, too tight, and too plunging in the neckline. And to top it off, she was wearing stilettos and had a rather large tattoo on her calf. While this may be appropriate for clubbing after work, she was showing way too much skin for the office. I tried hard not to stare, but I could barely believe my eyes! Ladies-look at yourselves in the mirror (front and back) before leaving home! In the words of one of our image industry colleagues, “The more skin you show, the more opportunities you blow!” which brings us to our next skin issue…
• Do I need to wear hosiery or are bare legs OK? Well, it depends on your environment. But if you have any doubt, wear them! I know when it gets warmer outside hose are not comfortable and can be hot. So when are bare legs okay for the work environment? Never at an interview, never if you are presenting to a group, and never if your legs are pasty white, have veins, scarring, or nicks that are apparent. Nude hosiery help legs look smoother, more even in skin tone and will cover those things we don’t want to show. Bottom line, you look more professional when you cover your legs. This goes right back to the skin issue from above and the blown opportunities. And always wear closed-toe shoes in the office environment! If you want an explanation for this rule, call us. There’s a good reason!
• Always wear the appropriate undergarments. This really becomes crucial when we wear lighter weight clothes. No one wants to see our bra straps slipping out, bulges or rolls on our back or visible panty lines. The undergarment industry is huge and there are many solutions available. One of our favorites is Spanx. Visit their website to see all they offer. They have everything you need to help smooth and slim -from body shapers, bras and panties, sheer hose and tights to their new swimsuit line. These products can also take you down about half a size! Just one more reason to love Spanx!

Remembering a few basics like these will help us maintain that polished image that is so important in today’s world. So bring on the sun and warmth! We are ready!

RSVP? Why Bother!

This is not just my own pet peeve. After inappropriate public cell phone use, polls show a lack of RSVP'ing rates highly as a form of social rudeness. Companies and individuals waste money and time preparing for people who don’t show up, or alternately, end up looking ill-prepared when too many people show up that did not RSVP. How can you plan an event when you have no idea how many people will appear?

So what does RSVP mean? It most certainly does NOT mean Really Smart Vivacious People will be in attendance. It does not mean you respond only if you are not coming, or respond the day of the event, or respond and then fail to show up. Actually, RSVP is an acronym for the French phrase “repondez s’il vous plait”, or “Respond, If You Please.” It means letting your host know if you will or if you will not be attending an event. And it is done in a timely fashion, preferably upon receipt of the invitation.

Why are so many people clueless about this? Here are a few possibilities:

• Misunderstanding the RSVP concept. Some think it means to call only if you cannot attend. That would be a “Regrets Only” invitation which can be risky for the host. It’s better to ask for an RSVP and get a definite answer from each guest.


• Disregarding the deadline. We see the invitation and make up our mind to go or not, but then forget to respond by the deadline. We must learn to manage our time and our manners. We’re all busy, but making the two minute phone call or sending a quick email to RSVP is thoughtful, appreciated, and an important use of our time.


• Lack of manners and sophistication. Responding to an RSVP is a basic, common courtesy that is too often ignored in our fast-paced modern life.


• Holding out for a better offer. Ever hedge your bets on whether a better offer will come along? And postpone responding to an earlier invitation because of it? Watch out! This lack of commitment can tarnish your image.

Here are a few more points to consider about RSVP’s and your image. A person who drops in or is a no-show is making one or more of the following statements, “I am too disorganized," "I cannot plan my schedule," "I do not follow through," or "I have no appropriate knowledge of etiquette.” Reputations can and do get tainted, and people will talk. But when we do RSVP we are building rapport, reinforcing our image as etiquette-savvy individuals and send the important message that “I am considerate.” Individuals who RSVP and follow through on commitments develop a reputation as reliable and eventually outshine their competition. It may seem like a small thing, but the small things add up to big things. So when the next invitation arrives in your mailbox (or inbox these days!), take a minute and RSVP!