I’m super excited today, because I’ve got a guest post from a fabulous lady. I met Jennifer over the summer, and let me tell you she is one of the sweetest, most genuinely beautiful inside and out people I’ve ever met. She’s got an amazing website WithHEART, and she’s basically a DIY diva. I asked her to come over and talk today about balancing professional and personal style. Jen was a legit news reporter (like she’s won an emmy, legit), and she has amazing style. So excited to share her with you, cause she knows her stuff…
Throughout my career, I’ve dealt with a lot of opinions about my appearance. It’s the nature of television, I suppose. I’ve heard it all— cut your hair, keep it long, lighten it, keep it dark, you’re too thin, you’re too curvy, you look great in that color, don’t ever wear that color again, and the list goes on. I’ve learned that if I don’t feel 100% confident in my own skin and with my own personal style, it shines through on camera. I’ve had to really decide what my style is professionally, and I’m so flattered Cori asked me to share it with you.
I’ve come up with a series of “rules,” if you will. Of course, I do break them occasionally, as there are exceptions from time to time, but generally I stick with this formula. It’s worked for me, and I think it can translate into any professional atmosphere.
1) Keep it modest. Nothing is worse than A: showing too much skin, B: fidgeting all day long and trying to reposition your clothing because you are showing too much skin. If you can’t wear it comfortably and keep it classy, don’t wear it.
2) Invest in classic staples. I love a great trend from time to time, but I find I usually gravitate toward the classics: a great LBD, pearls, gold, pencil skirts, leather jackets, pea coats. If you have some great staples that are high quality, you can add in a trend and you’ll always look timeless and pulled together.
3) Go for a bold color, or a statement piece. Something memorable, but not overdone. I tend to be drawn to bolder colors. I also think I look better in them. I’m not one for a lot of accessories, but they can be done right, but my advice is that less is usually more. If in doubt, go minimalist rather than wear an accessory on everything.
4) Think about which women you admire, and analyze why. Then select pieces that make you look and feel the same way. When I was first starting out in my career, I watched a lot of network news and would pick out which anchors and reporters I liked the best. Why did I like them? Was it their hair? Was it their clothing? Was it their presence? Usually it was just something about them that I wanted to emulate. Make a list, tear out some pictures from magazines, and start formulating your own personal style.
5) If you feel like a million bucks, it will shine though. I believe true beauty comes from confidence, poise, and character. Every woman is so beautiful in different ways. Figure out your strengths and play them up. And never let someone else’s opinion shape your self image. You know when you look great, so do more of that and less comparing yourself to others.
This is AWESOME! I recently got a new job, and it is very fancy. Private Equity. Soooo I have really had to redefine my personal style to be more professional. I hate the formality of the clothes but I have some wiggle room because the other woman in the office is a little more bohemian. Anyway, this post was FOR ME. haha. Thank you!
Isn’t Jen the best! I tell you what she knows her stuff!
love her blog! So glad to see her over here as well. She’s spot on with this!
Such great advice! I am slowly learning to be comfortable with myself, inside and out. It’s a wonderful transformation.
I have also decided, after seeing that gorgeous purple blouse, that I must have one for myself! Adding it to my Black Frday list.
~Cheryl
http://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/
Thank you for the sweet words and feature, beautiful Cori! And thank you everyone for your kind comments. Makes a lady feel special:). xx
100% agree with Jen! She radiates beauty & confidence in every photo, too. I’m inspired to be more comfortable with who I am inside and let that shine. Now if only I had the same wardrobe as Jen… ;) Time to go shopping!
Great tips! Bold colors flatter Jen because her coloring is high-contrast (dark hair, dark eyes, comparatively light skin) and clear (not much brown or gray). Somebody whose coloring is low-contrast (e.g. all light hair, eyes, and skin; or all dark hair, eyes, and skin) or muted (has brown or gray) may find herself overwhelmed by wearing intense hues.