Leggings are settling into women’s wardrobes in very big way. They have even influenced how jeans and slacks legs are being cut—very narrow.

Ellen Warren of the Chicago Tribune recently posted photos of women on Michigan Avenue wearing leggings. However, some women cannot wear them.

So the question is- can one wear leggings as slacks for business casual? There are some leggings made with a heavy, thick cotton. When they are worn under a long tunic, they could possibly pass muster and be considered appropriate.

My philosophy, though, is that leggings belong as casual wear rather than business casual. So, save them for the weekend!

“A first impression is a self–filling prophecy.”

Malcolm Gladwell, author of the bestselling books, Blink and The Tipping Point, wrote this. It is so true. How many times have I witnessed the difference between a confident and a non-confident person entering a room? You can see the difference with the poor body language and lack of facial expression being displayed by the person lacking confidence.

Confident people can lead and motivate those around them. What is it that gives these people confidence?

Is it that new piece of clothing in the right color and fit that showcases you perfectly? Can it be as simple as a new haircut and style, a new piece of jewelry or reading a book that validates your work?

Many times it is a combination of possessing both a feel good and an authentic attitude.
Keeping track of your wins and learning from your mistakes is also critical.

I also say that if you own your confidence in an inclusive manner, the world will offer you so many opportunities that you cannot imagine.

The Phone Voice

Often, it is rare to be able to hear the other party on the phone with as much clarity as you would like. You hear either mumbling, a strong accent or you cannot hear the speaker at all.

(In fact, recently, when choosing a new electronic device, I went with the company that claimed the best phone connection clarity.)

So, how can you be sure your phone voice is a good one? Here are some tips to help you with this:

You can call yourself on your cell phone to practice or buy yourself a voice recorder. Sony, Panasonic and RCA are good ones and cost less than $50.00.

Ask yourself these questions:

– Can you hear yourself clearly?
– Is the pace of your words measured?
– Does your voice sound approachable?
– Are the tone and pitch of your voice pleasing?

If you answer yes to all these questions then your voice is a winner. If you are not sure, then call someone you know, leave a voice message and ask them the same questions. You must get three positive responses out of four. Then practice the “no” response to obtain the winning phone voice everyone wants to hear.

Your purse or briefcase should never look too big or overstuffed. An over-stuffed bag is bulging at the seams. In today’s world, the person carrying the essentials only, looks like a person in control as opposed to being controlled by too much “stuff.”

Essential items include a cell phone or PDA (which serves as a phone, camera and calendar). Next are your grooming items like a comb, lipstick and face powder. You will also need a wallet for cash and cards. The last item for the brief case is a portfolio and maybe a laptop.

Keep it simple. Carry only what you need. Not only will it make life easier, you will appear to be more in control.

Choosing the right jacket for a man depends on several elements. First of all, it does not matter how tall or how short you are. Go for the right fit whether you wear a jacket in short, regular or tall sizes. Consider these tips:

• Jacket length: The back of the jacket should always cover your butt.
• Jacket shoulders: The shoulder should always end at the point of where your arms meet the shoulder. It does not matter if the shoulder is a relaxed or straight style jacket.
• Jacket lapels: The lapels are a matter of fashion style but the lapels should balance your chest size meaning if you have a wide chest portion wise chose a wider lapel.

If you use these tips when selecting a jacket– you will always look like you are wearing a custom fitted item.

Today it is important to have an opening statement about yourself that distinguishes you from your competitors. Successful pitches provide the audience an insight about you, your values, your achievements and why you are the person they should hire.

These are the three critical questions to consider:

• At the end of the interview will they want to have a cup of coffee with you?
• Have your achievements made a significant difference in any organization?
• How many folks know about you and respect your reputation?

The folks who are successful in obtaining the next position and continue to move forward include these three elements in their opening piece about themselves.

They are the executives who are memorable and highly sought after in any organization.

The biggest challenge most folks face in the business world is protecting their professional brand. The most significant mistakes begin with being careless with their image. Here are the seven most common areas of neglect:

1. Lack of impact- Appearing nondescript because of poor facial expressions (lack of a warm smile)
2. Weak body language- Slouching which shows lack of confidence
3. Inappropriate clothing choices – Business casual does not mean beach wear.
4. Old fashion style shoes- Tips too round or square
5. Ragged cuticles and nails
6. Chipped nail polish for women
7. Dated hair style

Your professional brand must always appear current and appropriate for your industry. You never know whom you will meet at any given moment.

One of the biggest fashion challenges for women is selecting the right pair of shoes to complete a polished look to an ensemble.

Here are some tips:

• Wear a ballet flat with slim, hugging pants that end above the ankle
• Wear classic loafer pumps or smooth leather flats with trouser cuffed pants
• Wear boots or platforms with wide leg, loose pants.

When you pair the right shoe with these different style slacks, you will always look smart and fashionable. Check out zappos.com or Nordstrom.com to find the right shoe for you.

A presentation uniform is a set of clothing you wear only when speaking to a group.

This outfit must be in the best condition. It must also be able to relate to your audience. Here are a few tips to help guide you to make the appropriate clothing choices:

• Color- Check the color of the room so that the color you choose you will stand out and not blend into the background.
• Fit-Never too big, Not too tight
• Reveal-Never wear anything too revealing. That means no cleavage for women.
• Boldness- A tie should be distinctive but not so bold it becomes distracting.
• Appropriateness- Know what is appropriate for your group. Is a suit necessary if it is a formal presentation? Or will it be a jacket with a companion pair of slacks or skirt for an informational one?

Remember these simple tips and be remembered for your talk instead a fashion faux pas!

A personal introduction is a good way to get people to know you. Some call it the elevator speech. It is a good idea to have more than one. For example, you might have an intro prepared for business meetings, networking and one just for social situations.

The key points are:

• A business meeting: Your name, title and what you bring to the meeting
• A business networking event: Your name and what you do (no title)
• A social event: Your name and where you are from

Talking points to add to your personal introduction for:

• Networking events: A business situation you have been involved in that will get the audience to understand what you do and the impact you make
• Social events: A fun and interesting thing you are involved with; it could be a vacation or book you have read

The main purpose of your personal introduction and talking points is to get folks to get to know you in an inclusive way. When you are able to do this, it will widen your circle of influence.