Illustra Image Consulting Blog

Eye Lingo: The Unspoken Language of Trust

Sarah Hathorn — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00:00 -0500

One of the main ways we communicate non-verbally is through our eye contact. It’s important to remember – whether we are in the midst of a business discussion or are meeting new acquaintances – that good eye contact is crucial. It’s one of those facets of your professional image that helps people connect with you. As they say “your eyes are the windows to your soul.” For business professionals today who are steadfast in trying to grow their businesses or take their careers to the next level, here are some tips I share with the executive clients I coach:

· You should maintain eye contact with people with whom you are communicating to send a message that that you are genuinely interested in getting to know them or listening to their point of view.

· When you’re in a conversation or interviewing someone and their eyes dance around the room instead of focusing on you it creates an awkward feeling and makes you wonder what are they thinking about. The best thing to do if this happens is to continue to maintain eye contact in the hope that they will rejoin you with attention.

· If you are in a conversation for a long period of time with the same person, you want to maintain eye contact around 70% of the time. While looking at their face you can shift your gaze in the triangle around their eyes and nose so it doesn’t appear as though you are just staring at them.

· Great eye contact sends a very powerful and positive first impression. It tells the other person you are confident, engaged, interested in having a conversation with them, and it also conveys the sense that you are trustworthy. With the recent downfall of major organizations in our economy business prospects don’t know who to trust anymore. But with great eye contact body language you are saying to the other person that they can trust you to deliver on your business commitments.

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Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Practicing Business Etiquette at 30,000 Feet

Sarah Hathorn — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0500

During the past month, while flying quite a bit around the United States on various carriers, I was amazed to see how inconsiderate people have become regarding airline travel. That inspired me to write a piece about air travel etiquette in today’s world.

Traveling is definitely not as easy as it once was. But as I sat in my seat waiting for everyone to store their luggage I noticed a few common business etiquette faux pas. So here are some tips I’d like to share with you about being respectful of other people’s space and personal possessions when traveling by air in this day and age.

#1 Be respectful of the size of luggage you bring onto the plane. There is a size indicator that provides the required maximum dimensions. But on every trip I make I see a few people who have ignored those rules. In order to get their oversized luggage onboard they won’t hesitate to smash other people’s luggage that is already stowed away in the overhead compartments.

#2 Don’t move anyone’s luggage without their permission. When people can’t get their luggage directly above their seat they often just try to relocate someone else’s bag into another compartment. That is terribly rude. You should always ask before moving someone’s luggage.

#3 When seated next to someone don’t go over into his or her personal space. We all know that the airlines have added additional seats to accommodate more passengers but we still need to be respectful of the personal boundaries of others. Each of us has a sense of our own personal space, so don’t let arms and shoulders invade the space of the person sitting next to you.

#4 Be courteous regarding entering and exiting seats. When the other people in your row need to leave their seats, be accommodating as you would if people in a theatre needed to get past you. When you have a window seat, try to time your exits so that they coincide with those opportunities when one of the other people in your row has gotten up to move about the plane.

Remember that your behavior is a reflection of your professional and personal image. Although airline travel can be a challenge these days, keep a good attitude about it and be respectful of your plane mates.

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Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

A Positive Brand Must Permeate Your Whole Business Environment

Sarah Hathorn — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Many professionals spend a great deal of money on advertising, marketing materials, and website production in order to effectively communicate their brand. But in the process they forget one of the most essential ingredients – the all-encompassing and important brand environment.

Your brand environment is one of the most observable and effective ways that your unique brand message is conveyed to clients and colleagues. A great marketing technique is to match your brand environment to your uniqueness, so that both resonate harmoniously with your target audience. Let’s say, for example, that your brand message is about sophistication and elegance. Ask yourself if your business environment implies those same qualities, and examine how your business environment and the tools you use represent those particular attributes.

Perhaps you want your brand to advertise that you are approachable and friendly – or maybe the message you want to exude is that you are a leading edge visionary. Whatever the concept is, make sure it consistently saturates the entire brand environment.

To evaluate your brand environment, take into account everything from the list below:

· The décor and physical layout and organization of your office.

· The ambience of locations where you meet with clients for business discussions.

· Places you hold conferences, workshops, or seminars.

· Tech tools like your desktop computer, laptop or mobile phone.

· The vehicle you drive to meet clients.

· Business tools like your briefcase, messenger bag, portfolio, or writing instruments.

All of these things create impressions of your brand that are perceived by your competition, your colleagues and your clients. Make sure you always project a strong brand through your environment and business tools, to give you a constant brand message presence. Keep in mind that your brand environment must remain congruent with your messaging. Ask your colleagues or a professional brand strategist for their point of view and assessment, and have them really critique your brand environment to see if it ties back into your brand bio and marketing message.

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Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

The Professional Woman’s Fall Wardrobe Checklist

Sarah Hathorn — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:00:00 -0500

As the weather gets cooler it is the right time to review your wardrobe checklist and find those essential pieces to layer up your look in style that keeps you warm. This is my updated list for every businesswoman looking to lightly layer while being more fashionable – whether at work or during off-time.

A Great White Modern Blouse – The key word here is “modern.” Look for a classic-white blouse that has some latest fashion details on it like ruffles, pin-tucking, or a new style sleeve. This one item can be layered with a business suit, skirts, pants, or jeans and with a belt, scarf, or sweater.

An Updated Jacket – This season don’t be without a few new jackets. Look for statement jackets, boyfriend jackets, modern jackets, or suit jackets - but layer them with everything in your closet. It’s a must-have in your wardrobe this season – so don’t go without one.

A Silk Blouse – This season a silk blouse or camisole is a key essential for adding some shimmer and texture to your ensemble. Buy a few and wear them under suits for a pop of color or with cardigans and pencil skirts for a modern look.

A Statement Coat – This season if you live in a colder climate be sure to find a great winter coat that you love and feel fabulous wearing. If you think about it you’ll realize that you wear it every day – so invest in a classic-modern style that has some fashion flair. Dark neutrals like black, navy, or charcoal will not show signs of wear as quickly as lighter tones. If you can afford two coats also shop for colors like winter white or red to have a dress coat you don’t wear as often.

Dark Denim – Every professional woman needs a pair of the new dark denim jeans. While premium denim is a little pricey you can now find dark denim finishes in all stores. This great number will slim you down instantly. If you have curvy hips balance them out with a boot-cut style.

Cardigans – This season cardigans have become colorful and modern. You will see great ones in dark neutral tones, colorful bright colors, and modern prints. Shop for a few neutrals to give you greater versatility but don’t forget the fun bright hues and prints for a pop of color.

Modern Day Dress – Dresses are back at last. When you are tired of hiding your legs and want to feel more feminine, opt to wear a dress at work or play. Shop for wrap dresses for work or a fun sweater dress for an updated casual look. Pair these with opaque hosiery and a great pair of tall boots to give you a high-kick fashion look.

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Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

The Professional Man’s Fall Wardrobe Checklist

Sarah Hathorn — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:18:19 -0500

Every season men need to reevaluate what is in their wardrobe. This season I’ve compiled the latest checklist to ensure you have a polished appearance both at work and at play. Here are a few of my latest fashion favorites that were recently spotted in the stores:

A Modern Suit – This offers a classic-hip way to appear innovative for our changing times. There are some great new fabrics that update that classic look for this winter season.

A Navy Blue or Camel Blazer – A blazer is a key wardrobe piece to wear with dress trousers on business casual days or with dark denim on date nights.

Straight Collar Dress Shirts – A few great dress shirts in colors like white, ecru, and blue made with a fine cotton weave will update modern suits and can be worn with or without a sport coat.

Button-down Shirts – Basic button down shirts are great to wear when you want a more relaxed, casual feel. Buy two or more to pair with a blazer or sweater for a cozy, comfortable look.

Dark Finish Jeans – This is the new replacement for khakis or other casual pants you may have worn during the weekends. I call these the new black pant and they are dressier than the faded washed denim we all wore years ago. Another tip is that the dark color instantly slims you down.

A Great Shoe Assortment – Every man needs a pair of dress shoes and some casual slip-ons in both brown and black. For weekend wear shop for a pair of modern leather shoes to wear with jeans and corduroys. Leave your gym shoes for yard work or going to the gym.

High Quality Accessories – You will need both dressy and casual belts in both brown and black to match the tone of your shoes. Try to add a little texture to these by shopping for work belts created out of fine leather like snakeskin, crocodile, or lizard.

Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author.
Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com
Copyright 2009, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Professional Image and Brand Strategist

678-528-1239

www.illustraimageconsulting.com

sarah@illustraimageconsulting.com

6 Ways to Spice Up Your Outfit With Accessories – Part 2

Sarah Hathorn — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Last week I revealed the first 3 ways to spice up your ensembles with accessories. This week I want to continue our second part of this series, starting with tip #4 to continue to talk about ways to incorporate accessories into your wardrobe with a few more principles.

4). Accentuate Your Facial Features

If you like you’re almond or round shaped eyes or your perfectly curved lips, accentuate these features by repeating them by wearing teardrop or round shaped earrings. You might add a great curved pin on a jacket lapel to accentuate your curved lips. You will want to keep the accent piece around the same size as the feature you are trying to highlight, but this is a great technique to pull attention up to your face.

5). Repeat a Design or Detail in Your Clothing

One way to pull a total look together is to repeat a design or detail of your garment. When you repeat a paisley pattern in a blouse by wearing a paisley shaped earring or necklace it look harmonious. Try to add accent touches by repeating a detail in your jacket like a round, nautical button. When you add a pair of round nautical pin or earrings to this ensemble, it shows unison and balance.

6). Use Accent Pieces to Attract Attention Elsewhere

One of the most creative things you can do with accessories is to draw attention away from a feature that you do not want people to notice. For example, if you have a triangle figure type with large hips, you will want to draw attention up to your upper body. By using a scarf, pin or coordinating necklace and earrings, people’s eye will automatically focus on those focal points and this will de-emphasize your wide hips. There are many camouflage techniques you can create with the art of accessorizing.

Begin by using a few of these accessory techniques to begin to add some magic to your outfits. You will see that with a few of these tips, you will begin to update your existing garments and make them unique and special for you. Once you start to incorporate these 6 ways dressing each day, you will create your own signature look, and learn to express that great sense of panache and style.

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You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Illustra Image Consulting – Perception is Reality

Professional Image & Brand Strategist

678-528-1239

www.illustraimageconsulting.com

sarah@illustraimageconsulting.com

6 Ways to Spice Up Your Outfit With Accessories – Part I

Sarah Hathorn — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

This week and next I am writing a two part series in sharing with you 6 ways to give your outfit magic with the use of accessories. Most people do not spend much time on accessorizing their outfits to add flair to their ensemble and express their individuality. You can always tell the person who has that total “put together” look that articulates a great sense of style with perfect accessories. When you purchase a new outfit, it is the coordinating accessories that provides the impression of great style and makes it unique just for you. This week review the first 3 ways to spice up your outfit with accessories and you will never leave home without the right accessories to highlight your look.

1). The Art of Accessorizing

With accessories you can expand your wardrobe options by adding your own individuality to an outfit, keeping your garments current with seasonal trends, and attracting attention to a specific feature. A great guideline we use in the image industry is to spend about 30% of your clothing budget on accessories. You want to be careful to add enough accessories that you create spice and pizzazz to your outfit, but not too many which can become distracting.

2). Accessorize with your Unique Style

Your accessories should express your unique personal style personality. If you are a romantic, you will probably enjoy wearing pearls, antique jewelry, and floral scarves. The sporty woman will wear minimal accessories, perhaps a small gold earring, comfortable flats, or natural stone necklaces. Classic-elegant individuals will feel at home in classic tailored pumps, a designer handbag, or semi-precious jewelry. Creative types are the ones who wear the artistic one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, and can mix new and unusual combinations. Ones with dramatic personalities enjoy wearing bold, unusual shoes, large dramatic drop earrings and always are sporting the latest in fashionable accessories.

3). Scale is Important

Your body scale is critical when you are choosing your accessories. If you are small boned, you will want to keep your jewelry, handbags, and shoes small in proportion. People who fall in to the medium category can wear medium sized accent pieces. Large boned women have the ability to wear big, bold jewelry, and carry the large tote and handbags because they would look out of proportion with tiny, delicate accessories. Wearing the right accessory size that correlates to your body scale will make you look in proportioned and balanced to your overall appearance.

Be sure to stay tuned next week, when I reveal the last three ways to spice up your outfit with accessories.

Do you want to use this blog article?
You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Illustra Image Consulting – Perception is Reality

Copyright © 2009, Sarah Hathorn, AICI, CIP, CPBS

Professional Image & Brand Strategist

678-528-1239

www.illustraiageconsulting.com

sarah@illustraimageconsulting.com

Fall 2009: Accentuate with Accessories

Sarah Hathorn — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:10:00 -0400

This fall the stores are bursting with stylish new accessories every woman needs to add to her wardrobe. Here is a quick list of some great ideas to give your wardrobe a boost:

Accessories give the style accent needed to complete your look with an interesting finishing touch. Think about what kinds of accessories you especially like to wear to communicate your accent style statement. If you love shoes, buy several pairs in different heel heights and various bold colors and textures like suede or animal prints. If belts are your favorite accessory you’ll love adding a few to your wardrobe – and they are great layering pieces to spice up a sheath dress, classic suit, or wear over a cardigan sweater. I love the current look for a business casual environment that pairs a white shirt with a cardigan and leaves it open in the center about six inches. Belt the whole look. Wear it with a pencil skirt or a light plaid dress trouser and viola! You look casually polished. I also love the skinny leopard print belts or the wide leather croc ones to give all my outfits a little more pizzazz. Shop for belt styles that offer lots of personality, versatility, and originality.

Those who have a penchant for vintage jewelry can go through their mother’s jewelry drawer and look for long gold chains, strands of long pearls in different lengths, or a cache of angles to add to the 2009 fall jewelry collection. Remember that earrings and necklaces don’t always have to match as a set, but they do need to complement one another in a way that blends and looks intentional. Here are some of fall’s latest accessory and jewelry looks:

•    Shoes: Colorful, with Prints and Textures – Bold Colors, Suede, Animal Prints
•    Belts: Narrow to Wide
•    Bracelets: Multi-Bangles in Mixed Metals or a Hammered Large Cuff
•    Necklaces: Long Layers of Multi-Stand Pearl Necklaces – Very Chanel Looking
•    Statement Handbags: Leopard, Textured Neutrals in Suede or Crocodile
•    Scarves: Long or Short in Length in a Variety of Colors, Textures and Prints

I hope you have found this list insightful. I recently worked with a client where we found a few things in each category that resonated with her unique style to look fashionable as she walks into Fall.

Fall 2009: Seven Must-Have’s for Professional Women

Sarah Hathorn — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0400

This week I wanted to share with you my seven must-have’s for every professional woman who desires a little wardrobe versatility. I’ve personally incorporated all of these tips into my wardrobe for fall to add some modern style to my current wardrobe. Here are my seven favorite items:

Tailored Classic Suits or Jackets – Select one or two versatile suits or jackets this fall that go with everything in your closet. Look for waist-defined styles that are semi-fitted with a bolder shoulder. Yes, this season we’ll see the return of the slightly more molded shoulder line.

Cardigans – Find some great cardigans in different styles, lengths, and colors to layer up your look. Pair these great finds with pencil skirts, dress trousers, or dark trouser denim to look casually updated for work or play.

Feminine Blouses – Shop for pretty blouses with a high level of sophistication like small ruffles or soft colored floral prints. Coordinate these great pieces with a wider-leg dress trouser or a long pencil skirt for a romantic office look.

Sheath Dress – This trend continues from spring ‘09 but in an updated way. Shop for versatile styles you can wear to work with an updated cardigan or a modern jacket worn over the top for more coverage. Styles with small belts can help to define those with a tiny waist – so if you have one, show it off in this style of day dress. Wear your dress with a pair of stylish high heels to show off your great legs while appearing taller and slimmer.

Pencil Skirts – This season the newest pencil skirts will be offered in updated prints like animal, herringbone, or tweed – versus the usual matte black. You will also find feminine details on pencil skirts that give them a new kick, like ruffled trim hemlines.

The Stylish White Blouse – Another returning item this season is the tailored white blouse. Look for a white blouse with a more modern edge – like one that wraps around the waist, is ruffled, has French cuffs, or comes in a fitted style. This is another one-purchase item that can take you directly from work to play with grace and ease. Don’t forget though that white blouses tend to look old quickly, so be sure to stock up with a few fresh ones this season.

Metallic Shoes – These shoes are great to use as a neutral shoe in your wardrobe, but they can also dress up any look. Shop this fall for one or two pairs in a sling back, pump, platform, flat, bootie, or evening shoe. Look for the latest colors like anthracite, butter metal, dark bronze, copper, gunmetal, and pewter. Metallics give you an easy way to update your existing apparel because they are versatile – and I predict that the metallic trend will be with us for a while.

I hope I’ve inspired you to think about adding a splash of color and incorporating a few modern trend items into your wardrobe. The choices will be great in the department and specialty stores, but decide which ones are really for you and will give your existing wardrobe more varied looks this fall. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and explore a few items you would have never ventured to try on in the past, because that’s the 2009 autumn and winter trend. Those items also give you that extra boost for a more vibrant and breath-taking presence. Go with a few of these trends to look professionally modern and confident and make a positively stunning entrance into the fall and winter season.

Layer Up: Transition Your Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Sarah Hathorn — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0400

This time of year the weather begins to cool down, but when you are out and about it’s not unusual to go to a work environment or restaurant that still has the air conditioning running during those early fall days. I always look for ways for clients to wear their clothes a little longer into the next season to achieve longer wear out of their summer essentials.

Here are three layering techniques to carry your current summer wardrobe essentials into early fall to keep you comfortable and looking polished in this transitional weather:

1). Wear your tank top layered with a cardigan or short jacket with a scarf tied around your neck. This is a great way to feel more comfortable wearing your tank top into the fall, but being comfortable with a jacket or sweater to keep you a bit more covered.

2). If you have a sleeveless light-colored print dress blouse, wear it with a darker suit to add a touch of color up by your face. A print adds interest and draws the eye up to your upper torso.

3). Take those brighter citrus cardigans of summer and coordinate them with white shirt, a black dress pant, or pencil skirt to add a pop of color to your ensemble.

When you add layers to your look, it appears as though you took some time to create an outfit versus wearing separates, which can be perceived as most basic level of business casual.