To tie or not to tie?

Having bemoaned at a recent dinner party modern etiquette when meeting someone for the first time – does one shake hands, kiss, and if so how many times or does one simply grin and keep hands off?  We were left still none the wiser. I feel it follows a trend for a general relaxing of the status quo – dress down Fridays an example, which is seeping into the working week, with one’s glasses making more of an impression than one’s tie and rejecting the latter for a more entrepreneurial look.

But what does one do if one is having an interview – one wants to show that you can tow the line (aka wear a tie) at the same time you want to show you are original, untapped raw genius ready to bring a dynamic new edge to a company - so either no tie or a fancy John Snow-esque bright number. So much can be said for a tie – it says who you are and frames you and what you are saying in a moment, so make sure you love it and it says what you want to say – but no monkey motifs please! 

Alternately, I favour a strong pair of glasses, perhaps with an interesting colour on the undersidet that reflects gravitas, creativity and authority all at the same time. What more do you want? That coupled with a decent pen (modern day sword) and briefcase (shield) and suit (amour) and you are a knight for the noughties. Your glasses (viser) are a function and a flourish at the same time leaving you well guarded yet dandy.

www.alexmoorestyle.co.uk

Wedding dress fever

“Every wedding (dress) is a royal wedding (dress) – we are all kings & queens of Creation”

From the Bishop of London’s sermon at the Marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, April 29^th 2011 (with blogger’s bracketed additions!)

And what a creation it was, That Dress, from the house of McQueen, no less. Sarah Burton’s beautiful masterpiece of ivory & white satin gazar with 9 ft train emulating an opening flower & laced bodice impressed all and left us sartorially sated.

But having watched the Royal Wedding on TV & listened to the commentary of the reporters, it strikes me that THE most important aspect of the whole day was, IS in fact, The Dress. But why is this so? Surely the wedding vows – the promises that the couple make to each other are of most import? Well clearly not.

But perhaps there is good reason for this. The promises are spoken word, but the presentation of oneself is word in action: the physical embodiment of one’s promises. You are what you wear – your attire speaks volumes. A woman’s wedding dress is like a modern day dowry displaying wealth (hence often voluminous skirts) and a symbol of fecundity: a physical promise of childbearing to continue the line of the Groom. But a Royal wedding dress gives weight to the promise of the nation to the world.

What then was Kate’s wedding dress as a statement? A promise of a marriage between tradition & modernity, sex appeal & reverence, and careful deployment of resources (as, by contrast, Diana’s train was 25 ft). 

Yes clothing is the ultimate promise, and it is why people make up their minds about you in the first 10 seconds of your meeting. So what statement then are you making to the world about yourself? Spend some time in front of the mirror to honestly assess yourself, & get some honest opinion from trusted friends and ask what they see your image as. An image consultant can also unbiased opinion, and aid you in creating the image you would like to convey, underpinned by analysis of your colouring and body shape. We all have an image – is yours serving you and the people around you the best? If not then it’s time to refresh.

www.alexmoorestyle.co.uk