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IMAGE CONSULTANT RESEARCH
Research is necessary to determine which items of clothing are most effective at work and play. Image consultants who base their advice on evidence about what is effective in the workplace and in social situations can give you the best help.
WARDROBE
Fashion designers are generally creative people who design clothing based on whim or fancy. They do not care whether a particular item of clothing is effective. Their bottom line is sales. Can they sell the item to enough people to make a profit? They never stop to ask themselves whether the item is going to be effective in work or social situations. They could care less because that is not their priority. But it should be yours.
Only if an item of wardrobe is effective should you purchase it. This means that the item will boost your standing relative to those around you. This is the definition of effectiveness. For example, if you wear a blue suit will it make people respect you, believe you, and trust you? These kinds of considerations are, of course, vital for a salesman. But they are also important questions for attorneys, accountants and professionals in general.
There are three categories of wardrobe that should be tested: clothes, footwear, and accessories. The fact is that there are so many different styles of suits for men, and even more for women, that it is almost impossible for an individual to test all of them himself. There are also a myriad of styles of footwear to choose from. The mistakes that you can make in this department are legion. And accessories also present a challenge, especially because they are often expensive and you may not have the wherewithal or the time to test them yourself.
RESEARCH
In addition to providing shelter from the elements, a crucial function of your wardrobe is to increase your effectiveness at work and play. There are three ways to find out what works. One way is to ask managers what they think of a particular item. Another is to test it yourself. But probably the best method is to rely on testing that has been performed by those who are in the image business.
One method of testing clothing is to present the photo of a person or client to a group of executives. In this way the tester can determine if the item is working as expected. For example, if you are considering a powder blue suit and want to know whether it will help you in your new position as a manager, the suit should be tested with people who are similar to those you will be supervising to see if it enhances your image and makes people inclined to follow your direction.
An interesting part of this research is fieldwork done for attorneys. We can now determine how to dress jurors for civil and criminal cases. We do this through asking people similar to the jurors in the jury pool what they think of the guilt or innocence of individuals in various outfits. In this way we can find out what jurors think of people in different suits and shirts. Even hairstyles are examined during this interview process. Many attorneys know that they should instruct a criminal defendant to get a haircut and wear a suit and tie. But what color tie? What style suit? What color shirt makes a man look most innocent? Only research can answer those questions.
FOOTWEAR
Even footwear should be tested. The way to test it is similar to the testing of clothing. We show photos of clients wearing certain types of shoes and ask whether the person looks competent, managerial, or honest. All these characteristics are associated with certain types of footwear as well as with clothing and accessories. In this way we have compiled a large amount of data on the correct outfit and the one that is most effective. For example, our research demonstrates that cap-toe shoes are effective for men and pumps for women.
It should be clear that when selecting clothing, footwear, and accessories more than simply fashion should be on your mind. The effectiveness of various items for your purposes should be a key element in your decision to buy an item. Only research can tell you what works and what does not.
Copyright © 2011 William Cane
William Cane is an image consultant who has helped more than 3,000 lawyers, actors, and other clients look good onstage, on film, on television, and in courtrooms, boardrooms, and country clubs across America. Improve your look with tips from his Web site http://manhattanmakeovers.com/.
