Going away on business? Image Counts!
By Janice Wee
Especially if you are meeting existing clients or prospects!
Looking professional means grooming is paramount. Look immaculate. Clothes should be well pressed and fall flatteringly when you move. Nails should be well kept and makeup should not be overdone.
First impressions count. The way you look, the way you carry yourself, and the image you project makes a difference in the direction the meetings might take. You want to impress your contacts, don't you?
Showing up in a crumpled outfit, no matter how expensive it might be, will not make a good impression. So unless there will be an iron in the hotel room you will be staying, or you intend to lug along an iron to press your clothing, or the hotel offers laundry services you can count on to get you in well pressed clothes before the meetings, avoid clothes that crease easily.
For your jacket, skirt and pants, avoid 100% linen or 100% silk clothing. Although they look and feel fabulous when well pressed, they wrinkle easily. Instead, pack jackets, skirts and pants that travel well.
By the way, the most important piece of clothing you can pack into your suitcase for your business trip is a great jacket. That one jacket can smarten up anything, be it a dress, tank top and pants, or camisole and skirt.
For this all-important jacket, go for one made of wool or at least a wool blend which falls flatteringly on your figure, yet travels well. A wool or wool blend jacket will not crinkle like 100% linen or silk. Even artificial fibers like polyester and rayon travel well as they don't crinkle easily. A blend that is made of wool and synthetic fibers would travel well and may be just what you need for that business trip. Pick at least 2 jackets in neutral shades. Black, navy, brown, white and gray are business-like colors that are easy to match. You jacket should be feminine, yet work worthy.
Next, pick camisoles and tank tops in colors you love. These can be worn under your jacket, paired with skirts or pants. Get a skirt and a pair of pants to go with those 2 jackets. Then add a dress or two. Make all these wool or at least a wool blend so that they will look great when you finally get to your destination. You can also get away with lycra blend tank tops and synthetics, as these travel well too.
Still, if the weather permits, go for wool as natural fibers look and fall much better than synthetics. They look more expensive too, which makes them great for your image as a successful professional!
You can get wool clothing at http://www.buyclothing.net
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