Communicate with Clothes

The message you send through your personal style may have nothing to do with your bag, boots or bangles, but it has everything to do with your confidence, panelists said at an event, “Fashion Statement - How Dressing for Success Makes You a Better Communicator," that I attended last night.

“True style is having the outside match the best of what the inside has to offer,” said Bobbie Thomas, TODAY’s Style Editor and author of the Buzz Column for “In Touch Weekly,” who served as moderator for the event sponsored by New York Women in Communication, Inc., an organization that supports writers, public relations, marketing and branding experts.

Panelist Nancy Berger, founder of Grace Group, an individual and corporate branding firm, said what’s on the inside counts more than what’s on the outside. “It’s all about the confidence. What’s going on in your brain is more significant,” she said.

But to be confident, it doesn’t help to wear a great dress or belt and to put on a bit of makeup, the experts said.

Some of their style tips include:

• “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” said Suzy Yalof Schwartz, panelist and Executive Fashion Editor at Large for “Glamour” magazine. “Collect dresses, then you only have to worry about shoes.” This Banana Republic dress will always be in style. Get it for $142.

• "Understand your audience...if you have an important meeting, don't wear flip flops," Berger said.

• “You wear your hair 365 days a year – that’s the best investment you can make,” Thomas said.

• Don’t believe the hype. “Celebrities wear Spanx and get facials to their heart’s content,” said Panelist Amy Odell, Editor, The Cut, NYmag.com.

• “Wear shoes you can walk in. If you don’t, it will show,” Berger warned. “Belts add a pop of color. A leopard belt is totally acceptable in a corporate environment.” This wide haircalf belt is available at Ralph Lauren for $450.

• “Add a third element – one piece that doesn’t have to be there,” Yalof Schwartz said.

• “Buy a good bra,” said Eve Pearl, panelist and Emmy Award winning celebrity makeup artist and consultant. “And learn how to put on eyeliner and basic lipstick. You are worth it.”

• “It’s not about size. It’s about shape,” Thomas said. “It’s about proportion and balance.”

• If you’re not sure how to dress during an interview, ask HR. It’s a fair question, advised Berger.

• If you have cleavage issues, draw attention way from the problem with a statement necklace or scarf, Thomas offered. This Emilio Pucci cotton and silk scarf is at Nordstrom for $120.

• Berger said everyone should have five go-to outfits.

• Thomas suggested that women should invite over a friend to put together outfits from your closet. “They will put together things you never thought to wear together,” she said.

• Odell suggested that everyone “invest in a tailor.”

• And Berger said she always keeps three items in her desk at work: static guard, which she said is great for winter mishaps, a lint brush and a hand steamer in case you have an unexpected after-work event.