Elevate Your Style Beyond Clothing

Is 2024 the year you embrace a new level of confidence and sophistication in your appearance?

Well since you’re here, I’m sure empowered style is something you’re curious about at the very least.

Whether you’re interested in taking control of how you are perceived, wanting to position yourself as the obvious choice for a promotion, make a lasting impression in a room filled with influential people or you just want to feel more confident in how you are presenting yourself, I’ve got you.

These are essential strategies to help you level up your style, boost your confidence, and position yourself for success in your career- that go beyond the clothing.

I. Setting a Higher Standard: The Foundation of Your Identity

The first step towards enhancing your professional style is to set a higher standard for your appearance. 

Dr. Benjamin Hardy, an organizational psychologist, emphasizes that your identity is shaped by your stories and standards. If you're considering a style upgrade, it requires a shift in your standards and commitment to personal presentation.

• Step 1. Assess Your Current Standard:The best way to assess your current standard is by tracking your current dressing behaviours, wardrobe choices and styling habits. One way to track this is by taking a picture of your outfit every day for 7-14 days for a good data set which will give you a clear snapshot of your existing standards and help you identify areas for improvement.
• Step 2.  Define Your Ideal Self:Consider how you want to feel and be perceived when getting dressed each day. Reflect on the time you're willing to invest in your appearance and the overall experience you desire throughout the day. Let the vision of your ideal self serve as a compass guiding you toward a style that aligns with your ambitions.
• Step 3. Take Baby StepsAvoid overwhelming yourself by trying to make drastic changes overnight. Establish small, achievable milestones that you can sustain. The goal is to create lasting changes in your identity and overall image so start by identifying your current baseline and gradually elevate it in alignment with your ideal self.

II. Using Your Clothes Intentionally: Quality Over Quantity

Dr. Hardy suggests that focusing on raising your floor, or doing things better (rather than doing more), is key to transforming your identity.

When it comes to style, this involves using your existing wardrobe more intentionally rather than acquiring more clothes- in other words, BEING better with the clothes you have rather than HAVING more.

Contrary to common belief, most individuals have sufficient clothing; the challenge lies in utilizing them effectively. 

Experiment with new combinations and play with your wardrobe. Identify what outfit combinations make you feel energized and confident. 

Explore how you may incorporate different elements of style into your looks; this could be interesting colour combinations, prints, texture, etc.

Learn from outfits that don't resonate with you.

III. Developing Habits for Effortless Style

Your habits play a crucial role in reinforcing your standards, ultimately shaping your identity. Dressing is a keystone habit that can be dialled-in by incorporating effective routines and practices into your daily life.

One of the best habits to get into is starting your morning at night.

Develop habits like putting away clothes, organizing your wardrobe, and building in a nighttime skincare routine. This ensures a much smoother and faster morning to start your day on the right foot.

Maintain an organized wardrobe is also critical. Every article of clothing, every shoe and every accessory should have a designated home. This make it 10X easier to find everything and create outfits effortlessly.

And finally, take care of your clothing properly to keep it in ready-to-wear condition and extend the life of every item. Pay attention to washing and drying guidelines to keep the integrity of your garments. 

Remember: These details polish off you appearance and demonstrates attention to detail with very little effort if you stay on top of it!

Conclusion:

Elevating your professional style goes beyond the clothes you wear; it's about embracing a holistic approach to personal presentation. 

By setting higher standards, using your clothes intentionally, and developing effective habits, you can make dressing a pleasant- and even joyful!- part of your daily routine.

Julie Murrell

Image Strategist & Career Growth Catalyst for Professional Women

> Behavioral psychology & habit nerd

>> Strangely satisfied by excellent clothing care

P.S. If you’d like to speak with me 1-on-1 for personalized guidance on how to create a confident professional image,

Book an Style Strategy Session and I’ll share the exact system I’ve used for myself and my private image clients to master their image & style.