Dresses are becoming very popular for women today because they are one piece. So, the question becomes is a dress appropriate in the C-Suite? Jan Fields, the president of McDonald’s, wore a simple navy dress with cap sleeves for her interview on CNN.
The dress was fine for the interview because the segment was targeted to healthy eating and the audience consisted of folks interested in the healthy aspects of food.  A dress can be acceptable in other professional settings. However, you want to be careful if you are hoping to be in the C-Suite.

Elements of a C-Suite dress:
• Classic style
• Solid colors  and the darker shades carry much more authority
• Always wear with sleeves – never sleeveless unless it is a business social function
• A companion jacket with the dress (you can always put it on or take it off)
• Skirt length above the knee

Keep these critical elements in mind when choosing a dress and you will be style elegant and C-Suite ready.

Paralanguage refers to non-verbal aspects of speech– specifically, tempo, intensity and pitch—because those characteristics dominate speaking performances.  A recent article in the Chicago Tribune talked about the presidential candidates and how their body language spoke volumes. Cited in the article were sociologists William Kalkhoff and Stan Gregory of Kent State University in Ohio who are studying paralanguage.
 
Our audiences, whether in front of a crowd or in an interview, remember us not only by what we say but how we say it.  As Kalkhoff said in the article, “There is a lot going on in these debates that’s occurring on a non-conscious level. The negotiation of power of and status in the “paraverbal” range is just a part of it.”

So, remember, your body language speaks louder than your words!

A current fashion favorite is long earrings that almost touch a woman’s shoulder. They come in different colors, materials and various widths. Celebrities and many television actresses are wearing them especially the lead in Royal Pain on the USA nework.

They are fun too look at but what you immediately notice is the constant motion of the earrings.

If you want to make a fashion statement, this works, especially for the nightlife.

However if you want to play in the C-Suite, ask yourself- what is the first thing you want everyone to notice, your earrings or your face?

It is interesting that male TV news anchors are always wearing a suit with shirt and tie. The women, on the other hand, often wear sleeveless dresses or blouses. Does this mean sleeveless is acceptable for women in a professional setting?

For a board meeting or while in public representing your company, wearing a sleeveless dress or top is not professional. Does this mean a professional woman should be wearing a jacket at all times? Not necessarily.

Jan Fields, President of McDonald’s USA, was recently interviewed wearing a navy dress with short sleeves. She looked very professional. (See her on this YouTube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymuEvvyKoiE.)

Save the sleeveless tops and dresses for less formal settings. Note that Michelle Obama has begun wearing a jacket or sweater over her sleeveless dress or top in conservative settings.

Today, one of the biggest challenges for a woman is making sure she is not wearing too much or too little make-up. Not every women needs to wear foundation. Instead, a touch of blush on the cheek bones will add a finished look. The key is that the blush must look natural and not artificial.

Recently, I saw a lady wearing too red of a color. What happened was that the blush ended up forming round circles on her cheeks.

Here are some tips to help ensure blush will look natural:

• The color needs to be just like you pinched your cheeks to get a rosy glow
• Stay away from colors that have a daytime shimmer
• Remember that very few women can use red on their cheeks

A few of my favorite brands are Bobbi Brown and Mac. Their professional make-up specialists will always have you looking very natural.

In Wednesday’s Tribune, a ChicagoLandExtra article talks about TMAY developed by Wayne Gru, an adjunct professor at Robert Morris University. He uses this technique to help students talk about themselves. They write a script containing personal information and speak it out loud several times in a conversational manner.

This helps the students present themselves in a more confident manner when meeting new people. This exercise is critical for everyone when networking and especially when interviewing for a job or presenting in front of a group.

The main key for most adults is to recognize that we need several scripts to exude confidence for the appropriate audience. Practice and keep notes on how effective each TMAY is for your different audiences. It will increase your confidence.

During the holiday season we all want to look festive. Most all of today’s fashion magazines are encouraging the bling look in jewelry (pins, necklaces and earrings) sweaters and scarves. So how can we have fun with this and not shine so bright we cause an overpowering glow?

Here are some tips:

In the office:

You can wear multiple items as long as sizes and colors are balanced. For example, red and gold are very bright, so a little of those colors will go a long way. A bright pin (larger than a tangerine) made in a lighter, more subdued color will add a touch of festive elegance.

At a holiday event:

You can wear more bling and stay very fashionable and classy by layering multiple rows of crystal necklaces onto a simple black sweater. Sprinkle some glitter in your hair for a final touch of pizzazz.

Follow these simple tips and you will sparkle during the holidays and into the New Year!

The U.S. has been in a deep freeze these last few weeks. In fact, Florida has experienced their coldest temperatures in the last twenty years. So, it’s understandable that we cut ourselves a bit of slack as we pile on layers of mismatched clothing.

Down coats are wonderful. They are lightweight and keep you very warm. Add on a smart scarf with color and you are good to go. Now comes to the serious part for both girls and guys – the boots. High or low ones will add the finishing touch. Plus, no matter how they look, you are allowed to wear your favorite pair of boots for warmth. The main thing is staying warm. Looking stylish comes after that.

The good news is now all coats, scarves, hats and gloves are on sale!