First of all, how are you?
Sheltering in place has been an experience for everyone. I miss my stylist. Lord knows I need hair color, a manicure and pedicure. Those are the little things we have taken for granted. Even celebrities have been criticized for letting their roots show. Women on Zoom calls have been criticized for not wearing makeup. We could go on and on. The bad news is it may take a little longer before we achieve normalcy — but we will get back.
Being a super-extrovert myself, sheltering in place has been a particularly different time for me. Wow — what an adjustment! When I look back at my calendar before shelter-in-place, I say to myself, “Girl you should be tired!” So, I am using this time specifically to reconnect with the people I love and with friends I’ve been too busy to call. This is time well-spent.
Now that many of us are returning to a more public life, let’s talk about owning the room. It’s about being comfortable with who you are as you enter the room in the first place. Here are a few tips to get you there:
• I love color, and you should too. Audiences respond to color. Find your signature color and wear it. I’m not saying give up on black, but think about it. Look around. Everyone wears black. If you do wear it, add some color with bold accessories. According to color psychology research, the best colors are cool blues, purple, and natural hues. You can start small, using a red or hot-pink tank, blouse or button-down under your black suit. You can own a room with the passion and confidence you exude and, of course, the right outfit.
Remember — when you look good, you feel good.
Brenda Blount, of A Better You Image Transformation, is a seasoned retail and fashion merchandising executive, image consultant, pageant coach and former model. She’s also director of development for the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art. Reach her at development@georgeohr.org.