I often review these points in corporate presentations. Always a good refresher read.

Hair
•    Hair that is too long or too elaborate trashes your business image because others focus on your hair instead of you. Keep your hair clean, simple, and up-to-date

Face…
•    Keep those beards and moustaches neat, trimmed, and sparkling clean. Keep a watchful eye on the unruly eyebrows, ear, nose, and errant hairs and take care of them every day

Smile

Nice hands and nails

•    Breath mints, breath strips, a travel brush, and toothpaste- keep them handy and use them! In business and social situations, nothing is nicer than clean, sweet breath. Keep your teeth ship-shape and shiny. Beautiful, white teeth look young, healthy and full of life.

Nails
•    Extremely long, garishly colored, or chipped,bitten nails are not stylish or professional. Clients do notice your hands. Keep their attention where you want it by making sure your hands, cuticles and nails are well groomed and attractive.

Scents
•    Cologne, perfume, make-up, and hair products all have a strong impact on your appearance … More is not always better! Remember appeal to the widest number of people possible- so avoid ‘scent’ extremes 

Odors
•    Touchy subject. Everyone smells, but some more strongly than others. Our body chemistry often reacts differently with fabrics, so keeping your clothes clean is as important as cleaning your body

Clean clothes
•    Clothing can hold odors in addition to your ‘personal scent’. Cigarette and cigar smoke, restaurant and food odors can live on your skin and your clothing fibers. Air out often.

According to Wikipedia, Panache is used to describe someone who has a dashing confidence of style, or shows a certain flamboyance and courage – [this] includes anything capable of displaying such attributes.

Problem: Panic!

Sitting in a slump over breakfast you are exhausted by your job search. Nothing has panned out so far. Another day of wanting to hide under the covers…
But wait – - the phone rings – - interview? Tomorrow? Yes!!

Now, it’s decision time: dust off the old suit you’ve worn to 34 previous interviews (none of which have turned into job offers), OR, call Lori Ann for wardrobe laser coaching transformation.

Problem: Dread!

You’ve tried on 20 outfits trying to find the one that makes you look 18. After all, isn’t that what everyone at your high school reunion is expecting? So you’ve tried to squish, pull, wrap, and shimmy your way into clothes that are unflattering, ill-fitting, and just plain UNCOMFORTABLE! Oh, and don’t forget that you need outfits for MORE THAN ONE EVENT.

Don’t give up going altogether! Seek expert guidance from Lori Ann

Problem: Shrivel!

You and a colleague are representing your company at the grand-opening of a vendor’s new location. The music, the hors d’oeuvres, and the fancy guest list are all in place. What you’re going to wear remains a mystery, even to you. And after a quick assessment, it appears you both could use some help. Has your personal branding been forgotten?

Wait a minute, it’s easier than you think when you call Lori Ann for a wardrobe laser coaching transformation.

In a speedy session (and YES, we handle emergencies just like yours), Lori Ann will guide you through the key elements necessary to pull your look and your confidence together in time for that important event. As a team we will turn panic into PANACHE, by…

• find out the nature of the event and discuss what would be appropriate. Lori Ann knows the current trends and has years of experience matching clients’ age, body type, and image with the right style.

• determine what clothing and accessories you already have and would like to incorporate. Lori Ann will then consult with you on what to look for to fill in the gaps and update your look.

• create a look that shines! Lori Ann will leave you with a complete outfit and accessories, and the confidence to wear them in any setting.

• decide what grooming and/or makeup will polish your look. For women this means choosing makeup and advice on hairstyle. For men, there are small adjustments that can be made to facial hair and nail grooming that really can make a difference.

Are you ready?

Solution: The fun and supportive expertise of Lori Ann, trained to make wardrobe laser coaching transformation HAPPEN.

As an image and fashion consultant and former costume designer, I get asked all the time about dry cleaning do’s and dont’s.

• You MUST tell the dry cleaner what the stain is. EVEN if it is embarrassing to you (wear a disguise if you must), they must know so they can treat it correctly. Also tell them if you tried to get the stain out and what product you used.

• Get ye stained garment to cleaners within 24 hours for best results

• Cleaners should offer hand pressed rather then machine press. The hand finish is nicer and you will not get the dreaded shine and wrinkles. This may cost a bit more but well worth it. If the cost jumps considerably at least ask for hand press on collar and cuffs

• If they clothes smell of dry cleaning solvent ( PERC is the anagram) then they are not clean. They will often look very dingy too. A good cleaners will change the fluid often so there should be to residual odors on your clothing. RUN to find a new establishment if you have this problem.

• Never keep the plastic on your clothes. Clothes need to breathe and the plastic often traps moisture and you could end up with those nasty climate spots on your clean clothes. If you must keep the plastic cut in half and keep the paper shoulder covers or invest in cloth garment bags if you need to store and protect. Check out Bed Bath & Beyond for storage products.

• If there is any special details on the garments( i.e paint, fancy buttons, discuss before you leave to make sure the garment will survive the cleaning process. On items such as vintage and beaded clothing they may have to just be spot clean. This process has to be done by hand. Get an estimate so you will not have sticker shock when you pick up. I once had to repaint and entire leopard print jacket by hand for a TV show when the dry cleaning solution dissolved the paint. I freaked when I saw it and the actress had to wear again for scene continuity. BIG LESSON learned.

• Excessive cleaning of clothes breaks down the fibers and clothing starts to look beat up. Better to air out between wearings. Turn inside out and let air circulate around item. Try putting in front of a fan. If those fajita and cigerette smells are troublesome, lightly spray with Frebreze. Do a spray check on an inside spot of fabric first to make sure there will be no damage.

In a Laser Coaching session we will work as a team, using your knowledge about yourself and your challenges, paired with my coaching and extensive years as an image consultant to . . .

Target Today’s Challenge
This challenge could be a situation that’s holding up your progress in many other areas. What might happen if you were able to push the “stuck” part loose? The whole wall may not come down in a day, but Laser Coaching will start a process that can transform your challenge into an asset.

Identify the Goals to Overcome the Challenge
Staring at a challenge never helps it move or disappear. Neither does complaining about it, worrying about it, or ignoring it. The longer you wait, the harder it is to overcome. Laser Coaching will assist you in defining the issues, setting up clear goals AND designing an immediate plan of action, then poking holes in the barriers ahead of you. Results often begin immediately–even during the coaching session–as you gain a clearer understanding of the dynamics and attitudes that have led you to the point of being at a stand-still.

Launch Beyond the Challenge
Take the momentum and clarity gained from your session and discover that your commitment to Laser Coaching has yielded the skills you need to overcome THIS challenge. Your new strategy, paired with the decisive actions planned in the coaching session, often generate immediate and sometimes dramatic results.

You seek to tackle all of your problems, challenges, and needs for change at once;
You want to complain about or blame others for your situation;
You insist on exploring the deep roots of a problem or analyze why you do what you do before you can overcome it;
You don’t WANT to get unjammed. Shocking but true. There are some people unaware that they are unwilling to pull barriers down because they are afraid of success, accountability, and the freedom of operating at their full potential.

Simple solutions, a wardrobe adjustment, a crash-course in confidence-building, a video critique and feedback session on your next presentation, or a review of current business, interview, and etiquette trends will boost your self image and change the landscape of your situation with very little investment. There is always more work to be done. Long-term coaching and consulting can fill the need for a complete confidence overhaul.

Laser Coaching will get you on a new path. Save the rest for another day.

Laser Coaching is targeted, effective removal of a mind-set, attitude, behavior pattern, misunderstanding, limiting belief, or obvious fear that is zapping your confidence and taking away any chance for the fun and enjoyment you deserve to get out of your professional or personal life. Perhaps contacting LAR Consultants for an initial Laser Coaching session is the first step in pulling that barrier down.