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!

Whether it is your appearance, communications or behavior, dependability is a critical factor in how you are perceived. People begin to trust you when they can count on your consistency. This does not mean you cannot change they way you look or sound but the difference must be not too far astray from your core.

For example, many times people will comment when you change your appearance, whether it is an update or a complete hair style change. Usually the comments are positive. What gets us in trouble is when the alterations are not seamless to your brand, the industry culture or the environment.

In fact, there are many folks who have been successful in business because their image has not changed or become dated. An example of this is Apple’s, Steve Jobs. His black turtleneck or T has been the same for 20 plus years.

Do not become one of the bad examples of misguided brand or image changes. Dependable, image conscious communication and behavior is the strongest example of true professionalism and in developing personal relationships.

What is it we need to do earn a vote of confidence from our audience? It is how we look, sound or is it what we say? Do actions count or is it an emotional reaction that instills confidence?

Today, the time we spend with folks is very limited so each interaction must count. Stephen Covey says we must invest in relationships like a bank making deposits so when you need to withdraw funds are available.

How we talk and act on what we say consistently begins to build confidence with those we have relationships with in all areas of business and life. When we do this in every interaction, we will have the confidence of our audience 90% of the time.

We know all cotton fabrics wrinkle. Some, like linen, wrinkle more than others. So, we know when wearing linen our clothing will look wrinkled. However, there is no excuse for wearing wrinkled clothing that got that way because of carelessness in taking of it.

Here are some easy tips for keeping clothing wrinkle free:

• Keep items on an hanger.
• Allow clothing to hang loosely in your closet.
• Buy a wrinkle free fabric spray such as Travel Wrinkle Remover and Fabric Refresher by Austin House.
• Hang clothing in bathroom during a shower. Steam removes wrinkles.

These tips will help you remain at least 80% wrinkle free.

Wrinkled clothing shows lack of polish which is not the image we want to present.

How many of us ever see our back? Today I rode up an escalator and looked at several backs. This is what I saw:

Pants too tight
Skirts too short
Shirts half tucked in
Worn heels on both men and women
Cracked heels of folks wearing backless shoes
Bra straps showing
Matted hair
Half-dyed heads of hair (mostly around the crown of the head)

To ensure you are not one of these folks, keep the following in mind: Always look behind yourself in a full length mirror. If you don’t have one, consider purchasing one. Or have someone in your household give you a quick look over.

Looking good includes a good looking back.

Here are some tips:

Do for Women
• Your hairstyle must look current and be your every day style.
• Wear makeup that looks natural.
• If you wear glasses all the time wear them in the picture (be sure they are non-reflective).
• Wear appropriate clothing familiar to the audience.
• Go on the web to see how others in your industry look.

Do for Men
• Wear a touch of cover-stick to mask skin discoloration.
• If you have a mustache or beard make sure it is trimmed neatly.
• Chose clothing that creates the image your audience understands.
• Always wear either a jacket or collared shirt.
• If you wear glasses all the time, wear them in the picture (be sure they are non-reflective).

Don’t
• Choose a new style hairdo for the picture.
• Do a glamour photo.
• Overdo accessories (for example, dangling earrings).
• Wear patterns.

If you can follow these guidelines, the picture will connect you to your audience before you have even met them.

Sara Blakely’s Spanx began as the new version of a modern control tummy garment for women.They are the updated, modern version of girdles in many different forms. They have been wildly successful in providing products for women in helping them control their figures.

Now, Sara Blakely has designed Spanx for men. They come in two full tee-shirt and tank-top versions (http://www.spanx.com)and are gaining popularity in helping men keep their stomach’s flat In fact, the New York Times Sunday Style section just featured Spanx for men.

If you’re new to these garments, you might want to begin with the cotton compression tank. It’s easier to wear and does not feel so constricting. It will help minimize a slight tummy but it will not take more than two inches off your belt line. It is supposed to help flatten your tummy, improve your posture and support the lower back.

Women have had the advantage of Spanx for awhile, now. So, it’s about time men get to experience them.

Sleeveless tops and Capri pants are some challenges companies face because of the warm weather.

If you wear them, you might think that less clothing on a body will help you stay cooler. However, that’s not true.

The same reasoning goes if it’s cold outside and you want to stay warm. Wearing layers of clothing will not always keep you stay warm, either.

The key to staying cool or warm is fabric. Natural fabrics will help you stay cooler when it’s hot and keep you warm when you layer clothing.

Cotton and linen are great to wear when it is warm. Covering your skin in cotton will help retain moisture and protect you from the sun. The lighter the weave, the cooler it will be on your skin.

Layered heavyweight cotton will keep you warmer than polyester, rayon or viscose.

Cashmere and wool are also great fabrics to wear in the cold climates.

You can manage your temperature sensitivity by being aware of your fabric choices. When you do this you always be in control, no matter what the temperature.

We often see folks wearing jackets, sweaters and shirts that either should be buttoned or left unbuttoned. In the New York Times Sunday Style section, Bill Cunningham’s May 21st On the Street photos, showed men and women in cardigans, jackets buttoned and unbuttoned.

In the pictures you saw how some individuals buttoned their sweaters and jackets and some left them open. The following are some general guidelines to make sure you appear “fashion aware” instead of sloppy.

For men:

• Three button blazers: Button only the middle button.
• Two button blazers: Button only the top button.
• Double breasted blazers: Keep buttoned when walking but you can unbutton when sitting down.

For sweaters, leave the bottom button open, only button the top button, or do not button at all.

For Women:

• Jackets: Strategically button so that you look slim and smart.
• Sweaters: Whether they are long or short. cardigans, use the same strategy. Button them so you look slim.

Note: If you button all of the buttons on a sweater, always leave one open at the bottom.

When you button the correct number of the buttons on your jacket or sweater, you will look stylish and smart at the same time.

What does it take to be a member of the C Suite?

This is a question that comes up quite often. There are number of best sellers on the market that claim they have the secrets. I should know because I probably own most of them!

Here are my top six critical attributes if you aspire to the C Suite:

1. Work smart and hard
2. Know you belong as a member of the C Suite
3. Speak in headlines
4. Look the part (body language, facial expressions and clothing)
5. Understand the audience
6. Manage up
7. Have a good sense of humor
8. Always be ethical
9. Treat famous people like they’re not
10. Treat not famous people like they are

Most importantly, possess the drive and passion for what you do. That element almost alone, will propel you into the C Suite.