You only get once chance to make a first impression, writes Becca Choules – and this is more true now than ever in business.
And if you’re unsure about how to make that impact, personal stylist Polly Harris-Gorf makes it her business to help.
Polly knows just important it is to be confident and happy. As a former council planning officer, Polly had to stand up in front of people. She said: “Often I had to walk into a meeting room full of grey suits, so one day I wore red. That got me noticed. I came across as confident.”
Polly is part of image consultancy Colour Me Beautiful, and area stylist for Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Watford.
Operating from her home in Hemel Hempstead’s Polehanger Lane since January, she is relishing the freedom of working for herself.
Different careers require different images. A personal assistant would need to dress according to what they had in their schedule.
That might mean being more forceful or nurturing and calming – and clothes can reflect that.
“If a man stands in front of you wearing a red shirt, you’re probably less likely to listen to him than if he wore a lilac coloured shirt. Lilac is much more calming and less threatening,” she said.
“Women, and men, can look groomed and fabulous in the right colours. Wearing the right clothes appropriate for their age and size – and the occasion – means absolutely anyone can feel confident in their own skin.”
Polly is set to qualify as a life coach and this will go hand-in-hand with the image consultancy.
She said: “With the recent recession, people have lost their confidence through unemployment, and I want to help them regain that confidence and help them be the best that they can be.” Visit www.boxmoorimageconsultancy.co.uk for more.