Article - ‘Clothes Make The Man’

‘Clothes Make The Man’

On 18^th of this month (September 2014) I was to engage a Belbin Team Role Workshop for Emircom at Abu Dhabi and had to reach there by 9’O Clock (UAEST) in the morning. I usually pack up my executive suit in which I have to appear for my sessions and smarten up just before the sessions to look my best. But this time it almost seemed impossible given that I’d reach there only a few minutes before the session. Any delay on the way can gravely rob me off my time and patience. So I decided to deck up in my formal outlook rather than opt for casuals for the journey. My only relief was that I’d be in AC throughout the journey and took extra care that my outfit remained crease-free. My apparel was a perfectly coordinated array of expensive suit and tie topped off with a highly expensive Swarovski pen, which was gifted by my friend Mr. Shaji George from Ahmedabad, India, shining in my pocket; a very palatable appearance on the whole.

When I arrived the Airport at 3.00 am (IST) for my 04.20 am flight the crowd at the airport was far enough to deflate me. The Hajj season was on and there were almost six flights ready to take off that morning. The airport was a sea of travelers and visitors and the length of the queue was a thunderbolt on me. Lacking options I moved up to the end of the line dragging my two trolley bags after me incessantly praying for a miracle. I did a mental calculation of the time I’d lose on this everlasting line and peeped through the side to inspect the progress.

Did I pray for a miracle? Because here it was! I saw the security guard, a Sardarji, signaling me to advance to the counter and I got entry bypassing that outstretched queue. “May be they were all in a single group and might take a long time”, I justified to myself.

Inspecting my surroundings I realized that there were only a few people clad up for business and the majority was off to Hajj. This came to my advantage again when I got through two other sets of such enormous lines. It wasn’t long before an officer from Air India approached me with high respect and inquired which flight I was going to travel in. When I replied I was to take the Etihad, he signaled a lady who helped me evade all other possible hurdles that would have swallowed my valuable time. “This isn’t about the Hajis flooding the airport, this is my guise!” I realized with a shock. My outfit and deportment had done the trick, I was a well-preferred customer. What swept me away was the humble behavior of a security guard who has once had a clash with me. He was desperate to offer his help.

The magic cast by my attire was not yet over. After all the security checks were smoothly and pleasingly dealt with, the personnel from the Etihad approached me inquiring if I’d like to upgrade from the economy class to the executive class. I’ve always preferred the economy class to the executive for shorter journeys and so I declined the proposal.  The lady who had help me escape the grueling crowd now came to me with the most pleasing news,

“Sir, we are taking the privilege of upgrading you to the executive class, a superior version. We are happy to do this for you free of cost”.

“Not bad”, I thought and readily accepted the offer. And to think, all this was because of my impeccable grooming! This impeccable style of grooming, we term as “Power-Dressing” and my experience serve as a perfect example to define the term. Quoting from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “the apparel oft proclaims the man”.

 I intend to extend this post to elaborate on the science of “Power-Dressing”.

A WELL GROOMED MAN

One should dress to convey a feeling of strength and dignity. It is a business tool and skill, which sets the emotional and physical climate for success. The way we dress affects the way people perceive and treat us. Dressing has long been a symbol of the role of status that an individual enjoys in a particular society, obtaining for them the rewards of recognition, approval and identification. By understanding impression management through appearance you can begin to plan your appearance and package yourself to generate an automatic positive response from those you meet in business and social situations.

Hair

·         Clean, neatly cut, not extending below the ears

·         Always well combed

·         Frequently shampooed

·         Kept in place and not oily

Face

·         Clean shaven

·         Moustaches well-trimmed- above the lip level and not drooping

·         Teeth: clean and white. Free from foul odour

Hands

·         To be washed regularly

·         Must wash with soap after every meal

·         No marks or stains

·         Nails: short, even length and clean

• Wrist watch should be a formal one and with appropriate size

Personal Hygiene

·         Bath daily and use a deodorant under arms

·         Brush twice and use a mouth freshener to keep your breath fresh

·         Avoid use of cheap perfumes and colognes.

·         Use a light perfume during the day

·         Wash face frequently to look fresh

·         Adequate rest at night adds to your good looks

Basics of Dressing

·         Dress should be clean and not crumpled

·         Your clothes should suit your body

·         Dress should be appropriate to the time, place, occasion and age

·         Fabrics, fit, quality, style and the like should be carefully considered

·         Latest fashion trends should always be kept in mind

Details

·         Well-coordinated, conservative colors

·         White/blue shirts with navy blue, grey or black trousers

·         Cream/beige/light brown shirts with dark colored trousers

·         Light colored shirts with dark colored trousers.

·         Well ironed and proper fitting should be ensured

·         No loose ends, threads open seams or missing buttons at the cuffs and on the shirts; the stitching below trouser pockets need special attention

·         Well colour coordinated and well knotted ties

·         Shirt pockets should remain empty

Shoes

·         Colour coordinated with the clothes

·         Conservative styles-Oxfords/brogues

·         Clean polished

·         Well repaired heels

·         Laces tied neatly and Socks clean and colour coordinated

A WELL GROOMED WOMAN

 

Hair

·         Long Hair

o   Should be left open only if it is shoulder length. It should not come on the face while at work

·         Avoid the following

o   Elaborate coiffures, knots or coils

o   Low loose knots tied at the nape of the neck

o   Oily hair

·         Short Hair

o   Should be cut in an elegant contemporary style which is manageable and looks neat throughout duty hours

Personal Grooming

·         Arms and under arms should be kept hair free

·         Always s use a deodorant

·         Perfumes should be of light and pleasing odour. Light eau-de-colognes are appropriate at work

Face

·         Eyebrows should be neat and well-shaped

·         Skin should be well cared for

·         Facial hair should be bleached or removed regularly

·         Use small and pleasing studs instead of ear rings

Make-up (Light and carefully applied)

·         Day makeup

o   Light subtle and carefully applied using shades like pink, peach and russet

·         Eye makeup

o   A light application of mascara, a light shade of eye shadow or alternatively a kohl application

o   Dark shades of eye shadows should be avoided

o   Dark circles should be covered with under-eye makeup

Blush on

·         Blush-on on the cheekbones along the neck is a must as it enhances your best features

·         Medium shades of pink and rust should be used during the day. Darker shades of blush-on e.g. red should be saved for the night. A soft orange looks beautiful on Indian colouring

·         If you are using a Bindi, it should be a small and simple (no designs and not oversized)

Hands

·         To be washed regularly and manicured

·         Must wash with soap after every meal

·         No marks or stains, henna designs are out

·         Arms should be hair free, with regular routine to ensure this

Nails

·         Should be well shaped with a light to medium color application of nail polish

·         Extremely long nails with enameled with very bright or dark shades of nail polish should be avoided

·         Nail polish should never be chipped. A good rule is to remove nail polish every three days. Of course nail polish need not be used at all, but nails must be well filed and clean at all times

Feet

·         Heals should appear clean and not cracked

·         Toenails should be well shaped and if you like, polished

Shoes/footwear

·         Low/high heeled shoes or sandals

·         Heals should not be more than 1.5 inches

·         Shoes and sandals should be in good condition. Foot wear in poor condition spoils entire image

Jewellery

·         Light authentic jewellery like a thin gold chain, a light gold bangle, small earrings (gold/pearl/diamond)

·         Artificial or costume jewellery in oxidized silver or plastic should be strictly avoided

·         Bangles should not jangle

·         Wrist watch should be a formal one and with appropriate size

Clothes (for Indian environment)

·         Saris must be well ironed. For cotton saris add a little starch.

·         The falls must be well stitched. Fabrics like kota-doria and organdy stay crisp all the day and need almost no starch

·         Avoid pompous and extravagant fashion dress.

·         Salwar Kameez should be of good fabric and well stitched

·         Western trousers suits or skirt/jacket of coordinated colors

There are many ways to groom and stylize yourself. I hope some of these guidelines will help you in some ways.