Here’s a group THANK YOU for your very nice comments – unfortunately I spammed them before I could reply… Glad you like the site and please keep watching it for new articles.

Btw I have one of your leather bags Louis and I love it!

Cheers, Denise

Some quick pointers on how to dress, behave and speak to achieve various business images:

Look Influential A commanding or powerful presence can be achieved without physical stature. Your bearing, appearance and actions can lend an air of authority. Immaculate grooming, formal clothing, a straight back, a steady gaze, a confident facial set, spare but directed gestures and a strong, firm voice will give you authority.

Appear Confident Speaking, shaking hands, gesturing and moving with assertion creates confidence in your judgment and decisiveness. Look a person in the eye when speaking or listening to them. Dress in defined colors with a strong sense of personal style.

Look Successful An affluent person is generally considered a successful person. Wearing designer garb or donning expensive accessories is the fastest way to look like one has “made it” but the real look of success is more subtle. It has to do with quality. Buy the best you can afford.

Look competent Sloppy clothing, dirtiness and untidy ways implies inattention to detail and disorganization. It suggests that you are slack and “can’t be bothered”. Cut that loose thread, polish your belt and tidy your desk. Good grooming and organization looks “on-the-ball”.

Look current and forward thinking Maintain a modern, current look.  It helps give the impression that you are “up with the play”. Inspire confidence in your broad and creative thinking. Warning: up-to-date does not mean fashion-forward or quirky unless you work in fashion-related or creative industries.

Look Able to do the Job Whatever your age, appear in peak physical condition. A strong mind and body suggests you can cope with the demands of the job. Maintain a youthful mien when middle-age brings physical changes.

Look Sophisticated This is an over-all quality.  It has to do with good posture, bearing and manner as much as the way you dress. Easy, fluid movements, a modulated tone and volume of voice, courteous ways, good manners, well-coordinated fine quality clothing and accessories, impeccable grooming and appropriateness in behavior and dress signify a well-bred person.

Appear Friendly and Approachable Good people-skills are a must in business, especially in sales and marketing.  An “open door” policy with staff and colleagues only works if you are approachable.  If you appear intimidating, up your friendliness-factor by dressing in more casual clothing (e.g. open collar), earth tones, low contrast colors, a yellow tie, tweeze your mono-brow, relax, don’t frown, SMILE.

Consistently looking and being professional gives you an edge on others.  Look right for the job. Create a personal brand that reflects your company’s brand and promotes its product or services.  Most importantly, build an authentic image that sells you yourself.

Learn More » Color psychology can help build and manage business relationships >>

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal image, offering advice on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color, grooming, social and business etiquette and communication skills. She is President of the South Asia-Singapore Chapter of AICI , a global professional association of image consultants.

Contemporary work-wear is defined by function. Is your job front-line or back office? Academic, technical or practical? Traditional or creative ? Do you deal globally? There is a range of business-appropriate attire, categorized simply by formality.

• Traditional professions demanding a high level of client trust, such as banking and law require more formal dress codes.  Classic suits, shirts and closed mid-height shoes convey reliability, conservativeness and seriousness.

• Medicine, teaching and engineering need clothes that say: “professional and capable but practical”.   A conservative long-sleeved shirt worn with smart trousers or a mid-length skirt (not for some engineers), low to mid-height covered shoes and a smart casual jacket (if the climate allows) are conventional but not necessarily boring. For medical specialists, particularly those performing operations, formal business wear inspires patients’ confidence.

• Sales and marketing needs clothes that spell customer-oriented and trustworthy.  The level of formality should be in sync with the clientele.

• Jobs that require flair such as design, architecture, fashion, advertising, branding and product development need garb that reinforce an image of creativity – these are likely to be smart casual, fashion-forward and individualized.

• Practical trades that provide products and services like gardening, catering and building need sensible casual (not sloppy) work wear that says “I’m ready and able to do the job”.

The shift towards more casual business dressing over the past decade has made trousers a fixture of women’s work wear. Even strict company dress codes will generally allow trousers these days.  However, a skirt suit is still perceived to be more formal than a trouser suit. Don’t forget, more substantial heels work well with with wider-legged trousers, slim heels are better with slim pants and skirts.

So what of high heels? Well, the sensible medium-heeled court shoes of the 1970’s to early 90’s are still around but business casual work-wear has opened up the options to all types of footwear.  Just ensure shoes are job and dress code appropriate. Match them to the style and formality of your dress.  And don’t let sexuality be your defining quality!  Other than that, why not climb the corporate ladder in high heels?

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal image, offering advice on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color, grooming, etiquette and protocol and communication skills. She is President of the South Asia-Singapore Chapter of AICI , a global professional association of image consultants.

Don’t we all love spring? Short, gloomy days are finally coming to an end and the sun is out! Although it’s still chilly in the mornings and evenings, bright spring flowers lift the spirits and herald summer.

Shake off the winter blues; don light-hearted clothes and  accessories. Spring sees the return of colour and cheerful prints.

Spring dressing is about layering: put on a layer or take it off as the temperature varies in a day. And always take a light jacket or warm jumper out with you in case the temperature drops.

Key Wardrobe Concepts

• Cheerful colours and prints on warm fabrics
• Gradual shift from dark neutrals to light neutrals like beige and white as the weather warms.
• Light to mid-value colours
• Vibrant, clear colours like those of the spring flowers are typical of the season’s palette.
• Solid blocks of bright colour or floral, watercolour and circular prints
• Less texture
• Light to medium-weight fabrics (in lightweight wool, wool/polyester, wool/silk, wool/cashmere, cashmere, cashmere/silk)
• Medium-weight outer wear (in cotton, polyester, polyester/viscose, viscose/rayon/polyamide)
• Light, thermal/cotton tank-top or camisole inner-wear  for evenings and cooler days.
• Jewellery with coloured stones
• Bags in light neutrals (tan, medium-light brown, beige, light grey, dark cream) or in cheerful colours and motifs – in canvas, leather, pleather or other man-made material
• Lighter-soled,  neutral (tan, brown, beige, dove-grey, dark cream) or coloured shoes.

Men: loafers, Italian-style thin leather soled shoes, boat shoes, mesh sports shoes/sports sandals

Women: peep-toes, sling-backs, ballerina pumps, open-back pumps + female versions of what the men wear.

Revel in Spring’s lively colors, prints and fresh styles.  Feel your mood get upbeat as you look forward to the new beginnings and new possibilities of Spring. Enjoy!

Learn more  » read Dress Cool for Summer

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal image, offering advice on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color, grooming, etiquette and protocol and communication skills. She is President of the South Asia-Singapore Chapter of AICI , a global professional association of image consultants.

Click on their logos to learn more about them.

AESTHETIC SERVICES

It’s best to be minimalist when dressing to beat the heat:

• Opt for light to medium colors. Lighter colors reflect the sun’s rays, rather than absorb them and keep heat at bay.

• Wear soft pastels evoking tranquil hazy summer scenes, or brightly tropical vibrant hues appropriate for the season.

• Reflect the casual mood and look of summer with clothes and accessories printed with flowers, leaves, polka dots, colorful stripes and geometrics, gingham, small checks, cheerful vistas or ethnic motifs.
  

• Keep cool with light-weight and sheer fabrics like challis, chambray, poplin, tulle, georgette and chiffon – in cotton, linen, silk or man-made fibers.

• Stay comfortable in natural fibers like cotton, linen and silk and viscose. These materials are not only cooler but also healthier to wear than man-made fabrics like polyester, rayon, polyamide and nylon because they “breathe”. They naturally absorb moisture and dissipate it, keeping you cooler and dryer as your body temperature rises. 100% natural fiber feels coolest: the more man-made fiber in the fabric, the less comfortable it is to wear in the heat and humidity of summer. Generally, man-made fibers do not wick away wetness nor release heat as efficiently so they can feel uncomfortably damp and stifling when you are active. They often give off a sour smell as sweat dries on them and have a tendency to retain odor. They do, however, dry fast which makes high-tech materials good for sports wear.
  

• Open shoes offer the comfort of cooler tootsies. If your job or the occasion require closed shoes, leather lining and leather inner soles help to reduce the problem of sweaty, smelly feet. Leather shoes “breathe” and ease when your feet swell.
  

• Shorter and briefer garments are breezier, giving you more exposed skin surface to dissipate sweat and body heat but take a lesson from those from equatorial countries – employ a natural sunblock – cover up lightly when outdoors to protect yourself from the burning rays. Try: a wide brimmed hat, loose sleeves, thin pants, a long flowy skirt, a UV sun-shade umbrella or a feather-weight cotton shawl… It really does keep you cooler, not to mention sun-burn free.

Have fun in the sun!

Learn more  » read The Yin and Yang of Style

Dressing Spring Style

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal and corporate image, offering advice on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color, grooming, etiquette and protocol and communication skills. She is President of the South Asia-Singapore Chapter of AICI , a global professional association of image consultants.

Yin and Yang
Beware of over-doing or under-doing mix and match. “Matchy, matchy” is uninspiring and contrived (a one color outfit, a full set of matching jewelry, or a striped suit, shirt and tie). Conversely, mixing too many colors, styles and designs causes the individual features in an outfit to compete for attention.  The result: garish and over-the-top.

Any style maven will tell you that clothes, shoes, bag, jewelry, watch, spectacles, sunglasses and even hair and make-up must work together.  “Boring”? Not at all. The savvy dresser combines different elements of color, line and design in unique ways that assert individuality, and gets it right by following rules of balance and proportion! Counterbalance colors, textures, prints, fabric weights, lengths and ornamentation. It gives a sense of harmony to an outfit. Call it the “yin” and “yang” principle of style.

Contrast, complement and off-set your clothes, accessories and cosmetics by combining:

Lighter with darker colors
E.g. a black outfit with silver accessories

Strong with neutral colors
E.g. red lipstick with a black dress, a dark brown belt with a beige outfit

Bright colors with neutrals
E.g. a Hawaiian print shirt with white trousers

Visually advancing colors with receding colors
E.g. a yellow T-shirt with dark blue jeans

Textured with smooth fabrics
E.g. a velvet jacket with a silk dress

Matte with light-reflective fabrics or detailing
E.g. a wool crepe dress with a satin sash and beading at the neck-line and cuffs

Transparent with opaque fabrics
E.g. chiffon blouse with a fine wool skirt

Patterned with plain materials
E.g. a striped shirt with a plain suit

Heavy or eye-catching detailing with a plain or less detailed one
E.g. an embroidered top with a plain skirt

An outstanding accessory with less eye-catching pieces
E.g. fun glasses with stud earrings

Multi-color with monotone
E.g. a loud print shirt with plain bermuda shorts

Larger with smaller
E.g. an oversize shirt with skinny jeans

Thicker with thinner
E.g. a heavy cable-knit sweater with wool gabardine trousers

Long with short
E.g. a long jacket with a knee-length skirt

Wide with narrow
E.g. a full skirt with a camisole top

Loose with tight
E.g. a blouson top with a fitted skirt

Follow these “yin and yang” rules of dressing and your outfits will have a sense of congruence. Style is not all about fashion and top brands: what’s in, what’s out, what’s covetable…Well-balanced lines, designs, scale, proportions and color are fundamental to creating a great outfit and the starting point to developing your own personal style!

Learn More » read ‘Dress Sense for the Style Challenged‘

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal and corporate image, offering advice on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color, grooming, etiquette and protocol and communication skills. She is President of the AICI South Asia-Singapore Chapter, a global professional association of image consultants.

I commend to you the work of IMAGO IMAGE and in particular the talent and professionalism of its principal, Denise Ng… Anything that can be done to enhance the appearance of an elected representative increases the chances of political survival! It seemed like a good investment to place myself in Denise’s hands. I am now confident that, by applying her suggestions, I will not only enhance my appearance, but also improve my effectiveness within my community.
— Peter Chin, Mayor, City of Dunedin, New Zealand.

The reason I came to Denise is because I know I can trust her. I like the fact that she did not promote radical and immediate change even though some of my dressing choices were not appropriate. She encouraged a gradual switch. The whole work not only helped to refine and enhance my look as an individual, it added confidence to my whole outlook. It made me aware of the different communication styles, thereby helping me improve in communicating with my advisors and customers.
— Donahue Tan, Insurance Sales Manager, Singapore

I have just got to know one professional, experienced and certified image consultant (IMAGO IMAGE). Personally, after attending one session, I find it very useful for business professionals…As you know, soft skills are very important in the corporate world and are important complements to technical, hard skills for the business executives. I already see the potential demand for such services and hence will like to recommend this service…
— Lay Peng Ang, MNC Freight-forwarding manager, Singapore

Previously I never knew the colours of your clothes could make such a big difference to your image. Denise taught me how to pick outfits that suit my skin tone, personality and lifestyle, and how to mix and match different pieces of garments. I also learnt a thing or two from her about dressing for the different seasons. Denise has a great depth of knowledge in image consultation, an eye for detail, is thorough and patient in her explanation, and understands her client very well. Thanks to Denise, I now have a better idea of what works for me and can step out in new confidence.
— Natalie Tang, Podiatry student, Southampton, England

Working in a hospital as a young, fresh, female therapist poses its challenges in many ways. Since I started work a few years ago, I have always found it increasingly difficult to command respect among doctors, nurses and even fellow therapists. They nicknamed me “little girl” because of my youthful looking exterior, and unfortunately, also regarded my professional opinions as “youthful”. However, things have taken a turn since my consultation at ImagoImage. Denise’s precious advice and skillful touch to my wardrobe has successfully provided me with the mature professional image that I have always desired. Thank you Denise for making me a better professional.
– Joanne Seah, Speech Therapist, Singapore

I am a firm believer that personal image plays an important role in one’s career, so I follow those advices given in the papers and magazines: I bought myself quite a number of “standard blue and black” clothes. But when I looked into the mirror I often found that it looked as though I am wearing something I borrowed. They don’t suit, I can tell this without consultation from anyone. I know I would need some professional help at that point. When I first time heard you mentioned that our look is a reflection of our inner self, I know I had found the right person who can help me. I would like to describe the color and the style consultations you had guide me through as an eye opening process, not only intellectually but also emotionally. I had discovered a lot about myself, which I always had a feeling that they are somewhere there, but with no way to explain. Thank you so much, Denise! -Rachel Wang Qi, Underwriter, Singapore

Working with Imago Image helped me break out of my “stuck in a rut” way of choosing what to wear. It’s great to know what actually suits me as it gives me more confidence on a daily basis as well as saves me time and money.
— Melodie Whittaker, Expatriate wife and mother, Singapore

After attending the IMAGO IMAGE talk “Colour, Image and You” I have a better understanding of myself, which colors are better suited to me and how to achieve the image I want. As a paediatrician, letting go of “black and white colours” and moving to pastel shades has made me more popular with my patients, as well as their parents! My nurses have been full of praise about my new “look” and “poise”.
— Dr Foo Ai Leng, Paediatrician, Singapore

>>Would you like to contact Denise Ng at IMAGO IMAGE? YES >>

Match your clothing shape to your body shape:
- Straight and tailored shapes for straight or angular figure types.
- Fitted silhouettes for curvy, rounded figures.
- Shaped outlines if you are in-between straight and curvy.

Match the style of your garment to your over all body line:
- Designs with straight or angular lines in stiffer fabrics for straight, angular figures.
- Styles with rounded lines in soft, fluid fabrics for curvy bodies.
- Straight cuts in softer fabrics or shaped styles in firm fabrics for in-between body types.

Match the internal lines of your clothing and accessories to your facial lines:
- If you have an angular face with sharp or straight features, opt for clothing details (collars, necklines, buttons, darts, fabric prints etc.) and accessories that are angular, linear or straight.
- If you have a soft face shape and curved features, choose curvy clothing details and accessories with rounded lines and detailing.

Complement the lines or design of your clothing with accessories that follow the internal or external shape of it
E.g. a filigree necklace to match a scroll print skirt

Restrict the focal points in your outfit to three
E.g. a strong color, a visually outstanding piece of jewelry, interesting spectacles

Complement the colors in the focal piece of your outfit (The interesting shirt, the outstanding piece of jewelry, the gorgeous shoes…) with:
1. Another garment that has one or more of its colors in it, or
2. Neutral color garments and an accessory that has one or more of its colors in it.

Accessories can:
1. Repeat at least one of the accent colors in your outfit, or
2. Be a neutral metal complementing the undertones of your outfit, or
3. Be in your skin or hair color — a body harmony color.

Combine clothing and accessory colors (including metals) with the same base-tone:
- Warm under-toned colors with other warm under-toned colors
- Cool under-toned colors with other cool under-toned colors

Ensure the colors of your outfit are either clear or opaque, not both:
- Clear, vibrant colors with other clear, vibrant colors
- Dull, muted colors with other dull, muted colors.

If you mix different prints in one outfit, keep the colors in the same tonings.

Wear your hair or skin colors as neutrals.

Wear clothes that fit:
- The correct size for your build
- The proper scale for your height and build (petite, average or over-scale)
- The proper fit for your shape (does not pull, squeeze, gape, bunch, pucker, ride-up, show a panty or bra line or create bulges)

Wear separates with the following hemline proportions for balance:
- ½ top : ½ bottom,
- 1/3 top : 2/3 bottom,
- 2/3 top : 1/3bottom,
- 7/8 top : 1/8 bottom

When an outfit comes together, your clothes, accessories and make-up will complement each other and you. Have dress-sense; follow the simple style and bodyline rules above and whatever your personal fashion direction, you will be dressed with style!

Learn More » read Influence with Color Psychology »

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal and corporate image, offering advice on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color, grooming, etiquette and protocol and communication skills. She is President of the AICI South Asia-Singapore Chapter, a global professional association of image consultants.

Each hue has a different psychological effect. Our body’s nervous and hormonal reactions to the magnetic energies of colors (their temperatures), and the way it physically senses and interprets color visually, result in different emotional responses to the various hues. Another words, there is a specific psychological reaction to each color. Because these feelings are due to the physical effects of color on the body, everybody will have the same subconscious reaction, despite the fact that people have individual color likes and dislikes.

The emotional effects of color can be used to psychological advantage in everyday life, particularly at work to improve and manage interpersonal relationships. It can even create a persona – a desired image. One of the easiest ways to employ color psychology is through clothing color. Wearing particular colors will influence the way others relate to you.

Hear are some tips on how to dress to influence with color. If you want to…

1. Appear friendly and approachable
Wear clear earth tones, light yellow and clear colors in warmer hues:

• Clear earth tones (in particular mid-brown, beige, camel and tan) are warm, friendly and approachable.
• Light yellow is highly visible and therefore sociable, but not as demanding as bright yellow.
• Clear warm colors (such as coral, sunflower yellow, peach) are non-threatening and open, particularly if they are light.

2. Look authoritative
Wear dark colors, in particular black, charcoal, medium to dark gray, midnight-blue, navy, dark blue:

• Appear stern and reserved. The darker the shade the more powerful, intimidating and threatening the effect.
• Create the impression of seniority.
• Create the impression of being in a position to make decisions.

3. Appear less intimidating
Wear earth tones, pastels, the colors yellow and pink:

• Earth tones appear friendly and approachable.
• Pastel colors are calm, gentle and non-threatening.
• Yellow appears positive and friendly.
• Bluish-pink is calming and appears non-aggressive.

4. Look Successful
Wear rich but subtle sophisticated colors (not strong or neon colors) such as camel, butternut, burgundy, salmon and blue-gray:

• Create the impression of having social influence and clout.
• Create the impression of prosperity and economic success.

5. Appear trustworthy
Wear clear earthy colors combined with navy or medium blue:

• Clear earth tones (such as tan, camel, yellowed beige) appear warm, open and down-to-earth giving the impression of dependability and credibility.
• Navy and medium blue suggest reasonableness and professionalism.
  

6. Appear professional
Wear medium to dark colors, in particular men’s traditional suiting colors: navy, charcoal, gray, dark blue, gray-beige, black in Asia:

• Appear serious and are therefore business-like.
• Suggest efficiency, strength and assertiveness.
• Give the impression of commitment and capability.

7. Attract attention
Wear bright, advancing colors such as orange-red, orange, yellow and lime that are visually and psychologically compelling (but not necessarily business-like).

8. Downplay attractiveness
Wear muted colors, dark colors, neutral colors and unflattering colors:

• Muted, dulled colors (such as stone, taupe, khaki) give the feeling of a lack of openness.
• Dark colors suggest reserve and seriousness.
• Neutral colors (black, gray, brown, white) lack character when worn on their own.

9. Appear creative and forward-thinking.
Wear strong clear colors, purple:

• Strong clear colors are expressive, extroverted and positive.
• Purple is the color related to higher intellect.

10. Appear calm and reassuring
Wear pastels, green:

• Pastel colors are unassuming, quiet and diplomatic, calmly deflecting criticism.
• Green is a balanced color which gives the impression of peacefulness and orderliness.
• Muted warm colors such as earth tones are centered and down-to-earth.

Manage the impression you give. Change the way you are perceived and let others to see the positive qualities in you. Color psychology is a simple but very effective tool to create or enhance your image!

Amazingly, the right colors can naturally improve your looks, making you appear younger, healthier and more energetic ! Learn More »

The writer, Denise Ng, is a certified image consultant in Singapore. A color expert who has worked in the area of psychology, she brings her passion for color psychology into her work with her clients, offering in-depth, authoritative advice on the effects and use of color for their appearance and image. Her consultancy Imago Image specializes in personal and corporate image, offering counsel on style, the art of dressing, wardrobe, color analysis, grooming, etiquette and protocol and communication skills. She is the President of the South Asia-Singapore Chapter of AICI, a global professional association of image consultants.