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Image Construction - Creating a More Appealing You

People often ask how are you doing, but you have to ask yourself, "how am I looking?" It's the first step in constructing, managing, or upgrading your image.

This article touches upon some of the basics of evaluating and overhauling your visual image to create a more appealing you that will enhance your chances of succeeding, open the door to greater opportunities, and increase your attractiveness.

FOR WOMEN
Either you have an "Apple-shape" or a "Pear-shape," according to Dr. Marie Savard, author of Apples & Pears: The Body Shape Solution for Weight Loss and Wellness. Dr. Marie Savard explains how body shape can forecast health destiny.

A woman's body shape depends on the type of fat she carries most - and all fat is not created equal, she says. So with a tape measure you can determine what shape you are. Just measure your waist circumference and your hip circumference, add them together to calculate your waist to hip ratio. If you are .80 or above you are an apple. Below .80 you are a pear.

It's important for me to point out that image construction is not just about superficial appearances: it's about feeling good on the inside, looking good on the outside. There are health issues associated with both body types and I'd be remiss if I did not share them with you here.

Dr. Marie Savard goes on to explain that Apple-shaped women who gain weight around their middle are more likely to develop disorders like heart disease, diabetes, or breast cancer. They're also more likely to have anxiety, depression, menstrual irregularities and fertility problems.

Pear-shaped women who add pounds around their hips, butt and thighs - are more susceptible to problems like osteoporosis, varicose veins, cellulite, and eating disorders. They're also more prone to lower self-esteem due to a poor body image and likely to have a rough transition through menopause.

Can this be combated? Of course it can. Apple-shaped women need to commit to consistent aerobic exercise for at least thirty minutes daily to reduce fat stored in the waist/abdomen areas. Pear-shaped women need to engage in regular resistance training to reduce pear zone fat cells and build bone density.

FOR MEN
Men essentially have 3 body types. They are the following:

Ectomorphs: Skinny men with a linear appearance, small muscles, ultra fast metabolism, low body fat, narrow shoulders, hips and waist.
Endomorphs: Naturally "big boned" men with round faces, soft and flabby bodies in general, wide hips, bigger waist, and a slow metabolism.
Mesomporhs: Naturally muscular men with athletic physique, wide shoulders, small waist, athletic build, low body fat percentage, and increased metabolism.

FIT FOR FASHION
Once you determine what your body shape is, you have taken a major step toward creating your own visual awareness. The next step is to find clothing that will fit you properly. When it comes to constructing your image, fit is just as important as fashion. Clothes that do not fit properly communicate the wrong messages such as lack of attention to detail; sloppiness; carelessness; and lack of critical thinking. Would you want to do business with someone who conveys these qualities?

The right fit will accentuate your positive physical attributes and camouflage your negative ones. People who wear properly fitting clothing command more presence and attention than those who do not.

YOUR EPICENTER
The epicenter of power for both men and women is the midsection of the body. A trim waistline is associated with youthfulness and sex appeal in both genders. It's the one area that men and women have the most difficult maintaining over time due to slowed metabolism and the accumulation of fat cells.

You can camouflage these flaws with the proper clothing! Ditch the shirts that bunch and gather around your midsection; they can add as much as 2- 3 inches to your waistline! Women with extra fat around the middle should favor shirts and dresses with designs that have a "slimming" effect. These would be vertical (never horizontal) stitches (never patterns), or strategically placed fabric which de-emphasize "pouches" and creates a desired streamlining illusion. Large belts and vests also create this effect.

YOUR TRUE COLORS - A SEASONAL THING
Colors which complement the natural hues of your skin tone are preferable. Even though human beings come in a kaleidoscope of colors, there are two skin tones that you should be most concerned with from a fashion standpoint: warm and cool, or winter and summer...of course there's also spring and fall in between, so let's shed some light on them all.

Your complexion and coloring determines which colors work best on you. Look at your hair, eye, and skin color (the inside of your wrist is preferable). If your skin is warm, you should feel best in warm toned clothes such as cream, coffee, chocolate, olives, apricots, pinks, and brownish reds like burgundy, etc. If your skin is cool, you should feel best in cool colors like white, ice blue, baby pink, mint green, jade, purples and navy, etc. All of these colors represent seasons. Once you know your season, you will have a personalized guideline of colors and shades that work best for you.

Justine Kim created one of the best descriptions of colors I've read in a recent article posted on The Soko.com. She writes:

Winter: Winter is a cool tone. People with winter complexions have blue or pink/rosy undertones. Skin can be pale and porcelain white, yellowish-olive, or dark. Winters are generally brunettes with deeply colored eyes. Many Asians and African Americans fall into this category. Natural white-blondes may also be winters.

Best Colors for Winter
Winters should wear hues that are sharp, stark and clear. You will look best in intense, rich colors, like black, navy blue, red, and hot pink. These powerful shades will complement your coloring. For lighter colors, wear bright white or icy pastels, such as like cool blues, pinks and yellows.

Worst Colors for Winter
Avoid dressing in earthy tones and subdued colors like beige, orange and gold. They will make you look faded.

Summer: Summer is also a cool tone and like winter complexions, the summers among us have blue or pink undertones. Skin is very pale and pink. Summer coloring usually occurs in natural blondes, and even pale-skinned brunettes with pale eyes. If you're a trying to discriminate between winter and summer, winters are usually brunettes and summers are mostly natural blondes.

Best Colors for Summer
Summers have a low level of contrast between their hair, eye color and skin tone. For you to look your best, choose soft neutrals and pastels, as well as muted colors with cool undertones. Powder blue, dusty pink, mauve, lavender, plum, and pale yellow are all great color choices.

Worst Colors for Summer
Avoid intense, vivid hues because they will look harsh and drown you out. Nor should you wear earth tones. Stay away from black and orange.

Autumn: Autumn is a warm tone and people with this complexion have golden undertones in their skin, like a pale peach, golden beige or golden brown. Many redheads and brunettes with golden brown eyes fall into this category. However, golden blond and black hair coloring can also fall into this range.

Best Colors for Autumn
You have a lot of depth to your coloring and skin tone. Rich golden, spicy and earthy colors will accent your complexion. Therefore, look for a warm undertone when selecting a color. You can wear both muted and rich warm colors that are seen in autumn leaves and spice colors, such as camel, beige, olive, orange, gold, and dark brown. You will also look great in a rich warm grey.

Worst Colors for Autumn
Stay away from clear, bright colors and black and white, which will make your look tired and faded. Also steer clear of pastels and blue tones, which will look cold against your complexion and give you a pale appearance.

Spring: Spring is also a warm tone. People of this complexion have subtle golden undertones and are usually creamy white or peach. Springs have extremely light, ivory skin color. People of this coloring are usually natural golden blonds, auburn, or strawberry blond redheads. Springs also have very clear, light blue and green colored eyes. Freckles and rosy cheeks are also characteristics of this group.

If you can't decide whether you are an autumn or a spring, springs tend to have pale eyes while autumns have dark eyes.

Best Colors for Spring
Springs can wear very pale, soft colors, such as peach, camel, golden yellow, golden brown, and aqua. You will also look fabulous in ivory, bright greens, true reds, clear blues and coral. Your colors may be particularly hard to find because they can never be too muted or too dark.

Worst Colors for Spring
Avoid black and white, which are too contrasting for you. Also stay away from dark, dull colors.

PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS
When choosing wardrobe, there are three primary considerations which will not lead you astray: 1) The weather - what's the forecast? Are you going to be in or outdoors? A combination of both? Will you need a hat (sunny), or should you not wear a hat (wind)? The weather also can dictate the choice of fabric you wear. That wool jacket is probably not the answer for staying cool in August (unless you live in Australia).

The venue in which you will be wearing your clothes is also important. Will you be at a conference taking place at a hotel? If so, they are notorious for cranking up the air conditioning, which means that you can achieve comfort in a lightweight blazer. Women may achieve comfort in layers. Is the venue seated? If not, those high stilettos may not be ideal for the standing-only concert you are planning on attending.

And what's the occasion? A summer house party and summer party on a boat both will require different wardrobe selections. Is it formal or semi-formal? Casual or business casual? Will there be photos taken? If so you may want to avoid wearing busy patterns and bright colors.

In addition, all professional considerations must be prioritized. That form fitting dress with the plunging neckline that you like to wear to swanky social events should be jettisoned in an office setting. Likewise for the Elton John-like jacket that you picked up on sale at Macy's. They both have their place and one should exercise discretion when wearing them.

POLISHING UP YOUR IMAGE
Keep in mind that fashion is like music - it's very subjective. The one point that everyone who is fashion conscious will agree upon is this: once you have developed visual awareness, your own fashion sense can then be developed. You are dressing for yourself, not anyone else. That entails knowing what works best for you, not necessarily what you like best. There's a difference.

How do you know what works best for you? By paying attention to the clothes you get the most compliments on while wearing them. We all have a shirt, a jacket, a dress, shoes - some article of clothing if not an entire outfit that we have received compliments on. Take note of the fit, fabric, and designer and make similar purchases. Most of my dress shirts are by the same designer.

The final phase of image construction: fashion honesty. This is the stage where you can make sound fashion decisions most of the time. Trust me no one makes the right fashion decisions all of the time. That's not the way creative endeavors work. Flair is born from making bold, daring moves that sometimes fall short. It's also important to remember that these are all guidelines - not rules - so have fun and don't pressure yourself.

Once you've constructed an image that works for you, you will begin to notice that the world looks different to you, because you look different to the world. Your image, when constructed from the inside out, is an indestructible platform from which many of your successes can be launched.

Feel good. Look good. Be good. The rest will take care of itself.

About the Author

Gian Fiero is an educator, speaker and consultant. He is affiliated with San Francisco State University as an adjunct professor, and the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) as a business advisor where he conducts monthly workshops on topics such as business development, career planning, public relations, and personal growth.

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