The Image Architect

Office Attire Taboos

Sandy Dumont — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:45:37 +0000

Check out my recent article in the business journal INSIDE BUSINESS. If you are a woman who is in busines, you need to be aware of “what not to wear” to the office! I’d love to have your feedback.

Visit here for the article

Women discriminating against each other.

Sandy Dumont — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:50:13 +0000

The Ft. Worth Business Press recently wrote about it. If you have ever had this occur, it could be that you simply have a “mean boss,” but it is possible that your image provoked your boss to mistrust you. If you look even slightly provocative, You will not only lose credibility, but you will destroy the trust of all other female associates. Women have a strong “sisterhood” component in their DNA, and we fight tooth and nail for our sisters. However, if your image suggests (even faintly) that you might “steal someone’s husband” by way of décolletage of clothing that is too tight or too suggestive, you’re out of the sisterhood. Ask your best friend for feedback about your image.

Wall Street Journal: Ties Aren’t Necessary

Sandy Dumont — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:02:23 +0000

The Wall Street Journal recently noted that the future of neckties is very much in doubt. This highly unlikely projection arose from the fact that the Men’s Dress Furnishings Association, the trade group that represents American tiemakers, has just shut down, and it’s no wonder. No, it’s not because men don’t wears ties every day anymore. The truth is, the majority of ties are made overseas today. However, that’s probably not the main reason this association is defunct.

Would you trust a dentist who had bad teeth? Or a stockbroker who drove a broken down car and dressed shabbily? Apparently, a number of prominent members of the tie association came to meetings without ties. The CEO of Vineyard Vines tie company was quoted as saying, “We make ties for other people so we don’t have to wear them.” Marty Staff, CEO of a clothing conglomerate that includes the Joseph Abboud label declared that, “Power is being able to dress the way you want.” This isn’t power, it is arrogance. And it shouts that your comfort is more important than impressing your potential clients. It is an in-your-face stance.

So who wants to be a member of a tie association whose members don’t wear ties? It’s hardly a conducive environment for success, especially in tough times like today. You must believe in your product, or you will subliminally hate yourself for living a lie – and that’s according to social psychologists.

Read Sandy’s Article

Business Week article says female grads expect to earn less then men

Sandy Dumont — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:14:37 +0000

Check out this article
This article has nothing to do with what women actually earn when they get that first job, it is what they expect to earn. Somehow, women still see themselves as worth less than men. Consider this: The way you look and dress anounces how you feel about yourself, and you’ll be treated accordigly. Women need to dress more powrfully! Men traditionally wear dark (power) colors and sturdy substantial fabrics. Women choose pastels and soft fabrics all too often. If we dressed more powerfully, we could be accorded more credibiity, power and respect.

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Looking Younger

Sandy Dumont — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:56:03 +0000

Take a look at this recent Wall Street Journal article on the subject of looking “younger”. Here is what I’ve found – and my clients also. It is not about looking younger, per se. It is about not looking dated. If your hair is dated, in particular, you are judged to have dated skills or technology. This is the number one area where women let themselves down. The woman in the article today had dated hair, slouching shoulders and a “collegiate”(stuck in the past) turtleneck, so three strikes and you’re out). Most people don’t make the differentiation between looking dated and looking older. My clients look 10 – 20 years older without surgery or Botox.

Dress for Success

Sandy Dumont — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:22:20 +0000

If you want to learn how to dress for success, check out this new website www.dresssuccess.com

Wall Street Journal Quotes Sandy as Expert Image Consultant

Sandy Dumont — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Read Christina Binkley’s article about Business Casual (better known to Sandy as Business Casualty)

Check Out This New Website

Sandy Dumont — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:33:59 +0000

If you are intersted in becoming a certified Total Image Consultant, check out this website for The Impression Strategies Institute. They have the best course available! Here is the link to the website: http://www.impressionstrategiesinstitute.com/

Image Consultant Viewpoint: Spitzer, McGreevey Fashion Faux Pas

Sandy Dumont — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:38:35 +0000

Take a look at the New York Times Article

Amazingly, former governors Elliot Spitzer and James McGreevey were dressed nearly identically when they made their public apoligies, as you will see from the New York Times article by Michael Barbaro. Bad choice of ties, however. Wearing a power “boardroom” tie isn’t what I would suggest to a client who wanted to appear innocent. The light blue tie that is favored by President Bush would have been my choice. Pastels always convey either innocence, passivity and powerlessness. In fact, Bush needs a little education about ties, because he always gets them backwards. A red tie says, “Out of town by midnight, Osama” not a pale blue one!

IMAGE CONSULTANT’S VIEWPOINT: Hey check out this new article I just wrote

Sandy Dumont — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:33:53 +0000

You’ll get tons of insigt about Elliott Spitzer and more. You won’t believe what university studies have found. Click here to read this astounding article.