| When you meet some-one for the first time what | | | | reasons. |
| do you notice first? Is it what they say or is it what | | | | 3. Ensure your outfit (clothes and accessories) suits |
| they are wearing? In almost every situation, what is | | | | your body shape, proportions and scale. Wearing |
| said makes the least impact in a first impression. In | | | | colours that suit you is a good start but to enable |
| those vital first seconds of meeting others make | | | | you to look well dressed attention should be given to |
| judgments about us mainly based on how we look | | | | making sure that your clothes flatter your body |
| and how we act. | | | | shape and also importantly your scale and |
| Giving a good first impression is important. It is | | | | proportions. These are key aspects of a style |
| particularly important for example when we attend | | | | consultation. As an image consultant I am frequently |
| an interview. It is usual that identical questions are | | | | told that a style consultation has been 'life changing' |
| asked of each candidate but those on the | | | | by clients. |
| interviewing panel will begin to make judgments | | | | 4. Concentrate on what others notice first. Having |
| about each candidate as they enter the room. You | | | | had a style and image consultation this will be easy. |
| may not be going for an interview but whenever you | | | | You will learn what aspects of your figure would do |
| meet someone for the first time the same process | | | | well to be noticed first and those that it would be |
| occurs. Decisions will be made about you which could | | | | sensible to distract the eye from. Your consultant will |
| even include ideas about how intelligent you are and | | | | discuss with you strategies for doing this. |
| you may not even have spoken! | | | | 5. Dress for the occasion. This seems obvious but |
| So how can you give the right first impression- the | | | | you'll probably see examples on others where the |
| impression that you would like others to have of | | | | dress sense is not quite right. Having got colouring, |
| you? By considering the following seven tips you'll be | | | | style, scale and proportions sorted it is still possible to |
| able to give a first impression that you will be proud | | | | ruin all this. Don't make your first impression the |
| of. | | | | wrong one for this reason. |
| 1. Remember 'fail to prepare means prepare to fail.' If | | | | 6. Enjoy the situation/occasion. Having sorted out |
| it is a special occasion or if it is a situation where you | | | | what dress is most suited for the occasion and your |
| will be centre stage then find out all you can in | | | | unique characteristics, it is important to enjoy |
| advance. Prepare thoroughly and talk yourself | | | | yourself. Planning before the event should also include |
| through the whole event. If possible wear your | | | | planning to enjoy the occasion. Not enjoying the |
| clothes for this practice, or if this is not possible | | | | situation will easily be detected by others and spoil |
| ensure your clothes are ready well before the event. | | | | what could otherwise be a good first impression. |
| 2. Choose colours that flatter you. If you have visited | | | | 7. Ooze confidence. Having mastered the advice in |
| an image consultant you will know how to do this | | | | the previous six tips the only thing left is to ooze |
| and probably you will wonder how you managed | | | | confidence. Your body language tells others how |
| without that professional help. If you have not had | | | | confident you are. Following this advice should ensure |
| colour advice do consider getting it. Such advice will | | | | that you create an effective and positive first |
| enable you to have a wardrobe where all the colours | | | | impression. If you need help with any of this then |
| 'work' for you and with ample options to give that | | | | consult an experienced image consultant. |
| first impression that is memorable for all the right | | | | |