Image Consultant | Personal Shopper | Business Image Consulting, Dublin, Ireland

So sad to see that the fabulous Aura Boutique in Sandymount has closed its doors recently.  I  brought many a client there over the years for retail therapy – you  were always sure to find a gem and in recent times their costume jewellery pieces were only stunning.  Spent a great morning there not so long ago  with the lovely Stephanie from News4 magazine who we transformed in no time at all.  Another happy client.  Read more http://www.news4.ie/dec07/frame3/15make.html

Many people feel guilty and stupid about their shopping habits during the boom according to a recent report from PricewaterhouseCoopers.  I have found this more and more over that past 18 months or so with many women comfirming what we knew already – they are wearing 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time having over indulged hugely during the boom.  We’ve all made mistakes, but the scale of the spending was pretty amazing.  Shoppers are becoming a lot more savvy with the recession bringing about a new way of shopping with many of these changes likely to be permanent.  One of the most interesting findings was that price is no indicator of quality.    According to a variety of tests carried out by the company, often the cheaper items tested were the better quality.  If you would like some help or guidance on where to start with your wardrobe weeding or smart shopping, or to hear more about ‘Recession Proof your wardrobe’ programmes, contact us on  frances@imagematters.ie

Many of my male clients during their image consultation ask  ”how do I put my look together”?  Every man has asked themselves about matching their socks with their trousers and other assorted questions at some point in their lives. Here I have listed 10 tips which should at least clear up some confusion about a few things.

1. Belts should as a general rule always match your shoes. Make sure you don’t economise on your belt - worn belts and belts that are too small or too large should be replaced immediately.
2. Short sleeved shirts don’t really project the right image and ideally you should stick to long sleeved shirts that are a safer classier option.

3.  Scruffy shoes are one of the most undervalued areas of a man’s wardrobe and one of the main items of clothing a women looks at first!  Your shoes should be in good repair, well kept and shiny. If you are wearing a suit, lace-up shoes are normally the safest option.
4. The more official rule on socks is that they should match the color of your trousers,  though preferably not the exact same shade unless, of course, you are wearing black in which case it’s okay.

5. Watches are the single most important accessory a man can own. I really suggest investing in one good watch that suits your lifestyle and taste.  Cuff links too really look the business and can really finish off a look.

6. Trousers that are too short is not a good look!  Trousers should be long enough to cover your socks, and socks should be long enough so that NO shin skin is showing!   Your trousers should just cover the heel of your shoe.

7. Make sure your tie hangs  correctly.  Ties should always reach your belt line and be tied correctly. A tie that is too short gives a bit of a school boy look.

8. The colours you wear should complement your natural features such as your eye color, skin tone and body shape.  Pastel type colours give a lightweight impression in business.   Keep this in mind when choosing your clothes.

9. Clothes that are too loose indicate a sloppy look and that’s exactly the type of fashion mistake you can’t make in a business environment.

10. Impeccable grooming every day is essential!

Risk awareness over risk taking.  Teamwork over power struggle, inclusivity over heierarchy and striving for the common good, not bonus-based greed.  Yes, meet the lipstick entrepreneurs.  According to the ECSP Europe Business School,  over the next decade, there will be tenfold increase in the number of female CEO’s in the FTSE top 100 companies.  The recession necessitated enterprise – there has been a significant growth in the number of women starting their own businesses.  Ladies, are you ready for it? In the aftermath of what has also been called a man-made recession, enter the right-brain revolution!

Following on the success of our ‘fashion fix’ event  in Elm Park Golf Club, Dublin, very much lookiing forward to bringing “Get your fashion fix” to the  Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel  on February 11th, 2010.  All proceeds  in aid of CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. www.cry.ie

Check out kilkenny flyer 2010 for further details.

It’s a widely recognised and proven fact that your image plays a huge part in what people think of you when they meet you for the first time and what assumptions they make of you.

On meeting someone for the first time, what ever the circumstances, statistics show that your image is 55% on how you dress/present yourself, followed by 38% being how you speak and then only 7% is the content of what you actually say!

We live in a highly visual world.  Think about the assumptions the world made last year when Susan Boyle first appeared on Britain’s got Talent?  So, what is your image saying about you?   Your image is talking even when you’re not. You and your business may have all the substance in the world, but if you don’t project a strong, professional image to go with it, people aren’t going to respond the way you want them to.

To back up your image, you also need a good product, extensive knowledge, and strong communications skills. Your image creates the expectation. Your substance confirms it.   Make sure your’s is first class.

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to my new style blog.

Glad in many ways to see the back of 2009 although I have to say that from a personal and professional viewpoint it was a challenging though rewarding year!   A new decade has arrived and I’m really excited by the opportunities and possibilities of what’s to come.

This blog is intended to cover all thing image related – style tips,  seasonal trends, product reviews, beauty tips and advice and of course the latest looks from the catwalks.  Most of all it is intended to help you make the most of how you look. How many times a day do you look in the mirror or into your wardrobe and feel disappointed with what you see?  So many of my clients over the years had spent so much time, money and negative energy beating themsevles up about how they looked.   What a liberation to discover their own true style, wear the clothes they enjoy buying and love how they look!

I am a firm believer that there is a strong connection between looking great and feeling fantastic no matter what your size, age, lifestyle or budget.   So what are your resolutions for 2010!   Why not decide to make this the year to really start looking after you?  It might be a new hair-style, lose a few unwanted pounds, get some exercise,  learn a new skill,  join a club, try a new beauty regime or experiment with your make-up.  Whatever you decide,  go for it and enjoy it – as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained!