Week 105: Look Good, Feel Good AKA Do Outward Appearances Matter? – #AlphaFemaleFriday

Week 105: Look Good, Feel Good AKA Do Outward Appearances Matter? – #AlphaFemaleFriday

“ WEEK 105 / 133 – 133 WEEKS TO SUCCESS “

I struggled with the idea that outward appearances should matter so much, especially since it can all be so subjective. Do we really want to keep on perpetuating this awful expectation that, as women, we must wear high heels, primp our hair, and wear red lipstick to help us get ahead? Do men need to don suit and ties with freshly polished shoes (or, in the case of Silicon Valley, the proverbial t-shirt and jeans)?

When I was younger, I went to Catholic school for a few years where all the students had to wear uniforms. Eventually I transferred over to the public school system where, despite a few rules and regulations, pretty much anything went as long as it wasn’t considered “too distracting”. As adults, in some jobs we have to wear uniforms where there isn’t much room for originality and leeway, but at least you can be sure about what you can put on in the morning in between your first cup of coffee and the start of your commute. Otherwise, if your job has that flexible but tricky “business casual” standard, there’s so much more room for creativity.

Given that there’s more creativity, there’s also more room for error and a fashion faux pas here and there. Even then, I find the idea of a fashion faux pas to be painfully subjective. As I occasionally thumb through a gossip magazine in a waiting room, I skim through the “fashion police” section and find myself wholeheartedly disagreeing with some of their commentary. Perhaps one style is too rigid and another is too far out there, but it made me think that no matter what you put on, there will always be people who love it or hate it, and as with everything else in life, you cannot please everyone.

As Yves Saint Laurent said, “Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.” Great fashion and style can contribute to one’s overall image, and I think it’s always better to overdress than underdress. When in doubt, always be bold—as long as it’s yourself and whatever makes you feel the most confident. Underneath it all, no amount of makeup or designer jewelry can mask lack of self-confidence.

Cheers,

Kelly

@AlphaFemSociety tweets by @KellyRGonzales

About:

Each week, I take a tip from Lois P. Frankel’s book, Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office, and explore how each of these tips affect myself and other women in similar positions on the road to becoming the women we want to be. There are far and few between who are a few steps behind me, and many more who are far advanced. I found that Lois P. Frankel’s advice applied to novice, intermediates, and experts alike. It helped me see that I was already doing right, served as a reminder to keep on doing what I was doing and how to keep that momentum going. The book also showed me areas where I could improve, and gave realistic tips to jump on board. There are a total of 133 tips, and explore one tip per week in a program I call: 133 Weeks to Success.

Join the movement using the hashtag #133WeeksToSuccess with posts which are posted every #AlphaFemaleFriday.