Recently I attended a family function celebration. When some family members were asked to speak, they did not know what to say about the guests of honor. Always be ready to speak at a moment’s notice. Start by either talking about the reason for the event’s occasion (ex. today my parents are celebrating a milestone anniversary) or tell a story that ties into the celebration (ex. we were just looking at their wedding photos together). Wrap up your brief talk with a sentence related to moving forward after the occasion (ex. they have had many beautiful years of marriage, may they have many more ahead of them). Talking for less than a minute is too short; anything more than a minute and a half too long.

Whether attending a business social event or just a personal social event, there are some key rules to follow in order to be a gracious guest:

Promptly let the host know whether you are attending the event or not (RSVP).

Let the host know if you are going to be late.

Make the host aware ahead of time if there are certain food allergies or food requirements (ex. vegan or vegetarian) of which they should be aware. (Depending on the situation and event, the host may or may not be able to accommodate food requests.)

Send a thank you gift or note within a week after attending the event.

Arriving on time or early to a commitment you’ve made is a key element of being a true professional. Recently, an organization I was working with told me that one of their major complaints was about people who were always late—whether to work, meetings, or interviews. Some people think that being late indicates they have high demands on their time (which may be true). However, it shows a lack of respect for the individuals they keep waiting and the time those individuals are wasting while waiting. Being late discounts a person’s professionalism and any capital, they may have previously earned.

The term “RSVP” is the abbreviation of the French phrase Réspondez s’il vous plait. It means “Please respond” – and it seems to be a dying habit. For years it was taken for granted that people would respond. Today, it’s a rarity to receive a response to an invitation. Non-responses are typical. Recently, I attended an event where the host had to track down invitees who had not responded. Why the rudeness? Not RSVPing shows a lack of etiquette and courtesy. It is good manners to respond within 24 hours of receiving the invite—even if just to say that you are not sure you are able to attend. After receiving the email invite regarding the recent event, I let the host know I might not be able to attend due to having a conflict with another event. The host was thrilled to receive the “maybe”. True professionals respond to their emails within 24 hours. One organization’s CEO has the firm rule that her staff members answer communications within 24 hours. It is a good rule for individuals and for businesses.

Shoes should be the finishing touch to one’s appearance. They should complement the whole, pulled-together look. To the observer, shoes can indicate a person cares about details. When shoes are noticeable on a person, it can be distracting or call attention to the fact that the shoes are the wrong style or just a glaring mistake. Observers should notice a person’s face first—not his or her shoes. If the shoes are more memorable than the face of the wearer, it is time to tone down and reconsider the shoes or to pay more caretaking attention to the face.

Do’s:

·         Shoes should complement the outfit style—they add the final touch.

·         Wear colors that blend in with the total look.

·         Always wear well-maintained shoes that are clean and not scuffed – even when sporting athletic shoes.

Don’ts:

·         Avoid wearing shoes that are too casual or too formal for the outfit.

·         Be sure not to wear shoes that aren’t comfortable (everyone can tell by the way you walk).

·         Avoid wearing shoes that look battered and scruffy.

When preparing interviewees, I often must stress the critical need for their resumes to be crisp and clear. The resumes that stand out are the ones that reflect your accomplishments and how you achieved them. For example, the leader of a sales team may state on his or her resume that the team generated X amount of revenue, exceeding expectations of monthly goals. A strong resume states not only your skills, but the impact you can make on the organization. Be sure your resume and talking points make the individual interviewing you realize that your skills are a good fit for the organization.

Black is the traditional color for men’s evening jackets, as is the color white in the summer. Trending for younger men are evening jackets in a wide variety of colors, worn with black evening pants, a white shirt, and a bowtie. Evening jackets in bold patterns with a black background are also increasingly popular. Michael Barkin of Stitch and Heart has always shown his style by wearing different and unique evening jackets. They look smart on him and reflect his confidence and style.

Ballet Slipper has been my go-to nail polish color for more than 20 years. It is reported to be the number one-color choice—and that’s saying something with the hundreds of colors of nail polish on the market. Ballet slipper pink is a color that looks good on everyone. It also hides any wear and tear on the cuticles. However, it can highlight any red roughness around the cuticles. Gray, a color that started as a trend, continues to be popular. In 2008, Michele Obama wore it during a speech. Gray nail polish is neutral but can have a dead look on certain skin tones because it can make the skin look blue and bruised.

The new television series, Pearson, stars Gina Torres. Torres also was the star of Suits, a series that lasted for eight seasons. The wardrobe of her character, a high-power attorney, hit all the key qualities: style, color, and intimation. Torres knows what fit and color works for her. We all think it is the stylists who make it work for the client, which is true most of the time. However, the clients who shine are the ones who know what works for their bodies. They have undergone the process of trial and error, which requires time and patience. They also are willing to take risks. The proper fit provides a winning element.

The color beige has been seen more frequently in the last few years, It was, and continues to be, the color of choice for heels for women. Now, we are seeing beige in other clothing options, such as suits, jackets, slacks, and accessories. There is one main issue with this color—not everyone can wear it. As neutral as the color beige seems, it can wash out certain skin tones. When wearing beige, unless you are a redhead, choose bold coloring around the face or choose make-up, such as lipstick, that brings color back to the face. Men, when wearing a beige shirt (a very casual look), should choose a shirt with a slight pattern with beige as the background color. I love beige slacks and I always wear my khaki suit with a very white shirt or black top to break the beige away from my face. I also add more color to my lipstick. Wearing the color beige can look crisp, neutral, and professional—when taking into account the above tips.