| We feel good when we are in the presence of | | | | colouring works for you. Find out about your best |
| someone who is confident. When you first meet | | | | depth of the colour, whether you are most suited |
| some-one you will make a judgement about how | | | | to a warm or cool undertone and whether sharp, |
| confident they are- much of this first impression | | | | striking colours or ones that are more muted are |
| will be due to their body language and how they | | | | best. Understanding these points will enable you to |
| behave. | | | | build a wardrobe where all the colours are |
| Some of the characteristics of a confident person | | | | co-ordinated. |
| are: | | | | Build: Once you learn how to dress the build of |
| They are positive in outlook | | | | your body and take account of your scale and |
| They seem to know how to react in any kind of | | | | proportions (for example whether you are long |
| situation | | | | bodied, long legged or balanced) then you will |
| They know what they want - both long term and | | | | understand why some shapes of clothes look just |
| short term | | | | right and others never seem to fit whatever you |
| Also very importantly they like themselves. When | | | | do to them. Part of learning about this aspect is |
| they look in the mirror in the mornings they | | | | also realising the importance of the texture, the |
| actually like their appearance and feel good about | | | | pattern and weave of the materials themselves. |
| themselves and it is this aspect that is so easily | | | | Style: We all, women and men, have favourite |
| conveyed to those around them. | | | | styles of clothes, which are determined by our |
| Hence if you want to increase your confidence | | | | own personalities. As an image consultant I help |
| then the best place to start is with yourself and | | | | men to work this out and often there is a 'light |
| with your appearance. Once you learn to like | | | | bulb' moment when a client realises why they |
| yourself and your look, whatever the occasion, | | | | always like certain styles and find difficulty with |
| then your inner confidence will increase and this | | | | others. |
| will be noticed by those around you. | | | | Suitability for occasion: It may seem to you that |
| Where do you start and what do you need to | | | | some of your colleagues are confident enough to |
| do? As an image consultant I see a lot of men | | | | always wear the right clothes, whatever the |
| who are uncomfortable with their clothes. There | | | | business event or casual function. You may feel |
| are lots of reasons for this; for example, it could | | | | embarrassed and awkward because you never |
| be that they never buy clothes for themselves | | | | seem to get this right. Once you have understood |
| but rely on a partner to help or to do all the | | | | about colour, build and style and discussed how |
| clothes shopping for them. It could be that they | | | | you wish to portray yourself an image consultant |
| have never thought about the importance of | | | | can give you the help you need to ensure that |
| matching the colour of their clothes to their own | | | | you will have confidence in dressing appropriately |
| colouring, or the shape of clothes to their build; or | | | | whatever the occasion. |
| the fact that we all have favourite styles of | | | | Why not treat yourself to an image consultation? |
| clothes to wear. | | | | these are not just for women, many men benefit |
| By understanding how to be a 'well dressed man' | | | | in just the same way as women do, from |
| you will be more comfortable in your clothes and | | | | learning how to dress. It is not just that some |
| this will be portrayed as more positive body | | | | people naturally 'have it' and some people 'don't |
| language. | | | | have it'. You too can learn what it takes, then |
| Four key aspects to address are: | | | | when you look in the mirror each morning you will |
| Colour: the clothes you wear need to complement | | | | be happy with your appearance and start the day |
| your own colouring. This is particularly important | | | | confidently. Others will notice too. It is so much |
| for the clothes that you wear near your face. | | | | more rewarding to be in the company of |
| You need to learn how three aspects of clothes | | | | confident and positive people each day. |