Professional image consulting extends beyond personal style analysis and outfit curation, including verbal and non-verbal aspects, such as communication skills, etiquette, grooming, etc.
In this article, we’ll detail expert image consultants’ services and how we help clients enhance their image through science-based analysis of seasonal colours, body shapes, face structures, and much more.
You’ll see our approach to special event preparation, cultural protocol training, unique style development, and even post-transition image support.
By the end, you’ll know all about image consultants’ services.
1. Body, Face, and Natural Colour Services
Before selecting clothes or creating your personal fashion style, we need to understand your natural features as the foundation for all future image decisions.
We analyse four key elements that determine which colours, styles, and cuts work best for you. Like an architect’s blueprint, your natural features will guide our every future style choice.
Our extensive analysis will reveal why (and which) specific garments, footwear, and accessories enhance your appearance and why others detract from it, regardless of quality or price.
Body Shape Assessment
During the body shape assessment, we take precise measurements to identify which of the six main male body shapes you have:
– Inverted Triangle, defined by broad shoulders and chest, narrower waist
– Rectangle, with straight up and down for shoulders, chest, and waist
– Oval, with wider midsection, narrower shoulders
– Trapezoid, characterised by shoulders slightly wider than hips, with a gradual taper
– Triangle, with narrower shoulders and chest, wider waist and hips
– Hourglass, with broad shoulders, thin waists, and hips matching shoulders’ width
Understanding your body shape creates clear guidelines for selecting:
– Suit cuts that enhance your natural proportions
– Jacket styles that balance your shape
– Trouser fits that create visual harmony
– Silhouettes and pattern scales that flatter your frame
– Fabric weights that drape correctly on your body
We recommend you take our free Body Shape Quiz to find your unique body type and ideal silhouette.
Example
If you are an Inverted Triangle male, you’ll look best in suits with minimal shoulder padding and subtle waist suppression to maintain balance.
However, if you’re a man with a rectangular body shape, you’ll benefit from structured shoulders and tapered waists that define your silhouette.
Face Shape Analysis
We measure your facial features – the width of your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length – to create a personalised guide for all face-framing elements, such as hairstyles and facial hair, that will enhance your features.
Oval faces offer the most versatile hairstyle and beard style options, while square faces benefit from hairstyles that soften strong angles while maintaining masculinity.
Rectangle faces need styles that create width to balance the face length, while round faces require cuts that add angles and definition.
Diamond faces look best with styles that add width to the forehead and jaw, while triangle faces need volume on top to balance a broader jaw.
Your face shape analysis creates specific styling guidelines such as:
– Haircuts with exact proportions and styling techniques for your barber
– Optimal beard styles with detailed maintenance routines
– Precise glasses frame shapes and sizes that complement your features
– Collar styles with ideal spread widths for your face
– Hat shapes with proper brim proportions for your features
We recommend you take our free Face Shape Quiz to discover your face shape and receive personalised recommendations for hairstyles, beards, and accessories.
Example
If you have a square face shape with a strong jawline and broad forehead, you’ll be suitable for a textured quiff, messy pompadour, or tousled side part.
A Medium-Length Layered Cut with side-swept bangs will particularly complement your strong bone structure.
However, if you have a Round face shape with soft curves and similar width and length, you’ll benefit from angular styles like a Disconnected Undercut, Modern Faux Hawk, or High and Tight Fade.
Seasonal Colour Analysis
We use seasonal colour analysis and professional colour drapes against your face to determine your exact colour palette.
We analyse how each colour affects your skin tone, eye brightness, and overall appearance.
This process reveals your seasonal colour type and creates your personalised palette for every clothing category.
Your personal colour palette will include the following and more:
– Core colours, as in your best neutrals for suits and key pieces
– Accent colours, such as impactful shades for ties, pocket squares, and knitwear
– Metal tones, and whether gold, silver, or bronze best suits your colouring
– Intensity levels, and find out how bright or muted your ideal colours should be
– Contrast levels and how to combine colours in your outfits
We recommend you take our free Seasonal Colour Quiz to find your unique seasonal colour, core colours, accents, intensity levels, contrasts, and more.
Example
If your analysis reveals a Dark Deep Winter colour palette, you’ll look most powerful in pure white shirts, charcoal grey suits, and chrome accessories.
However, if you have a Soft Autumn palette, you’ll appear more harmonious in ivory shirts, tobacco brown suits, and warm gold accessories.
2. Fashion and Styling Services
After understanding your natural features, seasonal colours, body shape, face shape, and aesthetic preferences, we focus on building your perfect wardrobe.
This second stage transforms your image by ensuring every garment serves a clear purpose.
We examine your current wardrobe to understand your style preferences and identify areas for improvement.
Based on your professional requirements, lifestyle needs, and budget, we create a strategic plan for building a versatile collection of garments.
Your unique colour palette guides all fabric choices, your body shape determines the ideal silhouette, and your aesthetic preferences influence personal style details and outfit combinations.
Every new garment, footwear, and accessory we choose must coordinate with at least three existing items to maximise your outfit possibilities.
Personal Fashion Style Analysis
Before tackling your wardrobe comprehensively, we’ll run several tests to identify your unique fashion aesthetics and preferred look and match them with your lifestyle requirements.
Whether you’re drawn to Old Money’s timeless elegance, Dark Academia’s intellectual sophistication, Minimalist’s clean lines, or Street Style‘s urban edge, understanding your aesthetic preference shapes all future style choices.
During this consultation, we’ll explore:
– Your lifestyle requirements and daily activities
– Fashion aesthetics that resonate with you
– How to blend multiple aesthetics seamlessly
– Ways to incorporate your preferred aesthetic into professional attire
– Aesthetic-appropriate fabric choices and combinations
We look at your lifestyle, profession, and personal preferences and discuss silhouettes, fabrics, patterns, and fashion styles that match your personality.
We recommend you take our free Fashion Style Quiz to find your ideal personal style and way of dressing based on your lifestyle, colour preference, job specifics, and much more.
Example
If you like the Old Money aesthetic and work in a creative environment, we’ll blend cable knit sweaters and penny loafers with contemporary cuts, colours, and textures.
If you love Dark Academia and work in corporate finance, we’ll infuse your business attire with the scholarly aesthetic through subtle textures, darker palette choices, and vintage-inspired accessories.
Wardrobe Audit and Planning
A wardrobe audit serves as the foundation for any style transformation.
Most professionals accumulate clothes without a strategy, resulting in a closet full of unworn items, mismatched pieces, and outdated styles.
Understanding what works, what doesn’t, and why becomes crucial for building a practical wardrobe.
The audit process reveals patterns in your purchasing habits, identifies gaps in your wardrobe, and helps eliminate items that no longer serve your image goals.
Most importantly, it creates a clear strategy for future purchases based on actual needs rather than impulse buying.
We’ll conduct a thorough wardrobe audit, checking every garment, footwear, and accessory to understand your current dressing and style and create a strategic improvement plan.
The wardrobe analysis will reveal the clothes that enhance your image and those that need replacement or alterations.
We’ll be focusing on the following key aspects:
– Current fit of your garments and needed alterations
– Quality and condition of fabrics and materials
– Relevance to your age and profession
– Harmony with your seasonal colour palette
– Potential for versatile combinations
– Alignment with your chosen aesthetic
– Match with your lifestyle requirements
Quality garments in your seasonal colours and desired fashion style should become the core of your modern wardrobe.
Example: If you’re a creative professional who likes the Dark Academia aesthetic, we’ll keep your charcoal herringbone blazer but remove the light blue pinstripe suit.
We’ll then list essentials like burgundy knit ties, brown tweed trousers, and cognac leather brogues to build your scholarly-inspired professional wardrobe.
Suppose you’re a legal executive drawn to the Old Money aesthetic. In that case, we’ll keep your navy worsted suit but suggest waist suppression for a refined silhouette matched with Bengal stripe shirts, dark green Madder ties, and black cap-toe Oxfords.
Capsule Wardrobe Building
A capsule wardrobe represents a carefully curated collection of versatile pieces that work together seamlessly.
While most professionals own extensive wardrobes, they wear only 20% of their clothes, so a well-planned capsule wardrobe eliminates waste while ensuring the most appropriate outfits for any occasion.
The concept focuses on quality over quantity, selecting pieces that coordinate effortlessly and serve multiple purposes.
Most professionals struggle with overflowing closets yet still face daily “nothing to wear” dilemmas.
A capsule wardrobe solves this by providing clear outfit formulas for every situation.
We’ll help you build a versatile capsule wardrobe of 20-30 essential pieces that match your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
Each piece must earn its place through versatility, quality, and alignment with your personal style.
A good business capsule wardrobe should include:
– Two suits in navy and charcoal
– Five dress shirts in white and light blue
– Two blazers in navy and brown
– Three pairs of trousers in grey, khaki, and navy
– Two pairs of dress shoes in black and brown
– Three ties in classic patterns
– Three pocket squares in complementary colours
A well-planned capsule wardrobe reduces decision fatigue and ensures you always have appropriate outfits ready for any occasion.
We’ll focus on acquiring these key pieces through guided shopping sessions that follow these principles:
Example: If you’re a tech guy preferring Minimalist style, we’ll build your capsule around charcoal wool trousers, white Oxford shirts, navy Merino sweaters, and black leather sneakers to create a modern look suitable for an office environment.
If you’re an architect drawn to Beatnik style, we’ll focus on black turtlenecks, slim-cut dark jeans, Chelsea boots, and leather jackets to create an artistic, intellectual wardrobe that bridges 1950s counter-culture with modern professionalism.
Seasonal Wardrobe Creation
Adapting your wardrobe for different seasons is crucial for maintaining a polished image year-round.
Many professionals wear the same clothes throughout the year or make costly mistakes when transitioning between seasons.
The key lies in understanding fabric weights, layering techniques, and seasonal colour adaptations.
Seasonal changes affect not only temperature but also dress codes, social expectations, and professional events.
A well-planned seasonal wardrobe ensures you remain appropriately dressed while maintaining your style across different weather conditions and occasions.
We’ll help you adapt your capsule wardrobe for different seasons while maintaining your signature style and professional image.
Our approach ensures your wardrobe remains functional and stylish throughout the year.
Your seasonal wardrobe update focuses on these critical aspects:
– Fabric weight and texture adjustments for temperature
– Layering pieces for transitional weather
– Colour palette shifts between seasons
– Footwear changes for weather conditions
– Accessory updates for seasonal appropriateness
– Special occasion wear for seasonal events
– Storage solutions for off-season items
A well-planned seasonal update ensures you maintain your style while adapting to weather changes and seasonal dress codes.
Example: If you work in finance with an Old Money aesthetic, your summer update might replace wool suits with lightweight cotton-linen blends, heavy Oxford shirts with Sea Island cotton versions, and add Suede loafers for casual Fridays.
If you’re a creative director who loves Dark Academia, your winter update might introduce thick tweed blazers, chunky cable-knit sweaters, and weatherproof Chelsea boots while maintaining your scholarly aesthetic.
3. Expert Grooming Services
Personal grooming forms the cornerstone of a polished professional image.
While many focus on clothing and style, immaculate grooming often determines how your overall image is perceived.
Even the finest suit loses impact when paired with unkempt hair, poor skin, or unmanaged facial hair.
Many professionals struggle with creating and maintaining effective grooming routines.
Time constraints, travel schedules, and lack of proper guidance often result in inconsistent or inadequate personal care.
Understanding product choices, application techniques, and maintenance schedules becomes crucial for sustainable grooming practices.
This third stage of your image enhancement focuses on creating sustainable grooming routines that match your lifestyle.
We develop specific protocols based on your skin type, hair texture, face shape, and daily schedule.
Our approach ensures your grooming enhances your professional presence while fitting seamlessly into your busy life.
Your grooming transformation addresses four key areas: skincare, hairstyling, beard maintenance, and fragrance selection.
Each component builds upon the others to create a complete, polished appearance consistent throughout your professional activities.
Skincare Routines
Healthy, well-maintained skin is fundamental to a polished professional appearance.
While many men understand the importance of grooming, skincare often remains overlooked or oversimplified.
Poor skin conditions can age your appearance, affect your confidence, and impact how others perceive your professionalism and vitality.
Creating an effective skincare routine requires understanding your specific skin type, concerns, and how environmental factors affect your skin.
Many men either avoid skincare altogether or waste money on inappropriate products that don’t address their specific needs.
We’ll create a personalised skincare regime based on your skin type, concerns, and lifestyle needs. Our focus is on establishing simple yet effective routines that deliver visible results.
Your skincare consultation addresses these essential aspects:
– Morning and evening cleansing protocols
– Appropriate moisturising techniques
– Sun protection strategies
– Anti-aging treatments, if needed
– Specific problem area solutions
– Travel skincare adaptations
– Product recommendations within your budget
A proper skincare routine ensures you maintain a healthy, professional appearance regardless of stress or environmental factors.
Example: If you have combination skin and travel frequently for business, we’ll create a minimal routine using multi-purpose products like a cleanser that doubles as a shaving cream and teach you how to adapt this routine for different climates.
Suppose you have mature skin and attend regular client meetings. In that case, we’ll focus on anti-ageing products that work overnight, ensuring you look refreshed for early morning presentations without requiring extensive preparation.
Ideal Haircuts/ Hairstyle Services
Your hairstyle forms a crucial part of your first impression and can significantly impact your professional image.
While many men visit barbers regularly, few understand how to choose and maintain a hairstyle that complements their features and professional identity.
The right haircut not only enhances your appearance but also suits your lifestyle and maintenance capabilities.
A successful hairstyle strategy goes beyond just getting regular cuts. It requires understanding your hair type, growth patterns, face shape, and how different styles affect your professional appearance.
Even the best haircut can look unprofessional without proper maintenance and styling knowledge.
We’ll design your ideal haircut and styling routine based on your face shape, hair texture, and professional image requirements.
Our guidance ensures you communicate effectively with your barber and maintain your style between visits.
Your hair consultation covers these key elements:
– Exact haircut specifications for your barber
– Daily styling techniques and timing
– Professional styling product selection
– Between-cuts maintenance schedule
– Hair care product recommendations
– Travel-friendly styling solutions
– Seasonal style adaptations
A well-planned hair strategy ensures you maintain a polished appearance with minimal daily effort.
Example: For a Diamond face shape with a thick, wavy hair we’ll recommend an Ivy League textured cut and show you how to style it for a professional yet natural look.
If you have fine, straight hair and an Oval face shape, we’ll create a shorter, structured cut that adds volume.
You’ll learn how to use lightweight pre-styling products and minimal finishing paste to maintain height without looking over-styled.
Beard Grooming
A well-groomed beard can enhance your facial features, convey maturity, and complement your professional image.
However, many men struggle with proper beard maintenance, resulting in unkempt facial hair that detracts from their professional appearance.
The difference between a polished beard and a neglected one often lies in understanding proper grooming techniques and following a consistent maintenance routine.
Facial hair requires specific care beyond basic trimming. Issues like patchiness, uneven growth, or skin irritation can significantly impact your professional appearance if not adequately addressed.
We’ll create your optimal beard strategy based on your facial hair pattern, growth density, and face shape. Our guidance ensures your facial hair enhances rather than detracts from your professional image.
Your beard consultation addresses these crucial aspects:
– Ideal beard length and shape for your features
– Weekly trimming and maintenance schedule
– Essential beard care tools and techniques
– Proper washing and conditioning methods
– Styling product recommendations
– Solutions for common beard issues
A well-maintained beard becomes an asset to your professional image rather than an afterthought.
Example: If you have patchy facial hair growth and a Round face shape, we’ll show you how to maintain a shorter, well-defined beard that creates the illusion of stronger jawline definition.
You’ll learn to use precision trimmers and growth-enhancing products to achieve a fuller appearance.
If you have thick, fast-growing facial hair and a Rectangle face shape, we’ll develop a maintenance routine that keeps your full beard looking intentional rather than unkempt.
You’ll master using beard oils, balms, and proper trimming techniques to maintain width at your jaw without overwhelming your face shape.
4. Professional Image Creation
Your professional image extends far beyond your wardrobe and grooming.
It encompasses every aspect of how you present yourself in the business world: your behaviour, communication style, body language, and overall presence.
Each element must harmonise to create a consistent, powerful professional identity.
In today’s competitive business environment, technical skills alone don’t guarantee success. Research shows that career advancement often depends more on professional presence and social intelligence than technical expertise.
Many highly qualified professionals hit career plateaus because their image doesn’t match their capabilities.
This fourth stage of your image transformation ensures every aspect of your professional presentation aligns with your career goals and industry expectations.
We focus on four key areas: business dress, professional etiquette, body language, and communication skills.
Each component builds upon the others to create a cohesive, authentic executive presence.
Dedicated Business Attire
Your workwear choices significantly impact your professional credibility and career progression.
Each industry and company level has specific dress codes and unwritten rules.
Understanding and mastering these nuances helps you command respect, build trust, and move up the corporate ladder.
Professionals struggle with interpreting dress codes correctly or adapting their wardrobes as they advance in roles.
What worked at entry-level might not suit a management position, and what’s appropriate in one industry may be too formal or casual in another.
We’ll create specific outfit formulas for your professional environment, considering your industry’s dress codes, company culture, and position requirements.
Your business dress consultation covers these precise elements:
– Industry-specific dress codes (banking suits vs. tech casual)
– Position-appropriate attire (junior analyst to C-suite)
– Daily outfit formulas by meeting type
– Client presentation wardrobing
– Business travel capsules
– Office-to-evening transitions
– Casual Friday guidelines
A well-planned business wardrobe establishes your professional authority while respecting organisational culture.
Example: We’ll create suit combinations using heritage brands like Zegna for power meetings (charcoal shadow stripe suit, spread collar white shirt, burgundy geometric tie) and Loro Piana for client lunches (navy solid suit, light blue hairline stripe shirt, silver grenadine tie).
If you’re a tech startup founder, we’ll develop a modern business casual wardrobe mixing Brunello Cucinelli knit blazers, James Perse t-shirts, and Ralph Lauren chinos for investor meetings, while keeping APC dark denim and Common Projects sneakers ready for team days.
Business Behaviour and Etiquette
Professional etiquette forms the foundation of successful business relationships and even minor etiquette mistakes can damage your professional reputation and credibility.
In today’s global business environment, understanding and practising proper business protocols can make the difference between winning or losing clients, partnerships, and opportunities.
Mastering business etiquette becomes especially crucial when dealing with international clients or partners, as customs and expectations vary significantly across cultures –Â what’s acceptable in one business culture might be offensive in another.
We’ll refine your professional conduct to match your visual presentation, focusing on industry-specific protocols and international business customs.
Your business etiquette training covers these crucial areas:
– Meeting behaviours (entry timing, seating positions, device usage)
– Dining protocols (formal business meals, cocktail events, buffets)
– Introduction sequences (hierarchy respect, title usage, handshakes)
– Cultural sensitivity (Asian, Middle Eastern, European customs)
– Email and messaging etiquette (response timing, formality levels)
– Virtual meeting conduct (background setup, camera angles, lighting)
– Gift-giving protocols (appropriate occasions, value limits, presentation)
Proper business etiquette turns every professional interaction into an opportunity to reinforce your executive presence.
Example: For international business dealings, you’ll master Asian business protocols, such as presenting cards with both hands, facing the recipient, and making proper appreciation gestures when receiving others’ cards.
We’ll practice appropriate seating arrangements and specific dining customs for different Asian cultures.
You’ll learn precise dining etiquette for formal business occasions, such as holding stemware properly, mastering Continental and American-style cutlery usage, and managing conversation flow between courses.
You’ll also perfect the art of formal introductions and professional small talk across different cultural contexts.
Perfect Body Language
Body language accounts for over 50% of communication impact in professional settings.
Your gestures, posture, and facial expressions can reinforce or undermine your verbal message and overall image.
Many professionals unknowingly send negative signals through poor posture, defensive gestures, or inappropriate facial expressions.
We’ll optimise your non-verbal communication to ensure your body language projects confidence and competence in every professional situation.
Your body language training focuses on these key elements:
– Power postures for presentations and meetings
– Facial expressions for different business contexts
– Hand gesture placement and meaning
– Standing and walking techniques
– Seated positioning for various settings
– Eye contact duration and intensity
– Personal space management across cultures
Mastering body language ensures your non-verbal signals align with your professional image.
Example: For public speaking and presentations, you’ll learn precise stage techniques: standing at a 45-degree angle to appear more dynamic, using open palm gestures at chest height to convey honesty, and mastering the “speaker’s triangle” movement pattern to maintain audience engagement.
For one-on-one interactions, you’ll perfect meeting room dynamics: the optimal seating angle for collaboration (120 degrees) versus negotiation (across the table), strategic use of lean-in gestures to show interest, and appropriate nodding frequency to demonstrate active listening.
Speech and Communication Mastery
Effective verbal communication directly impacts your professional success.
While many professionals excel in their technical expertise, they often struggle with articulating their ideas clearly, speaking with authority, or adapting their communication style to different business contexts.
Poor communication can undermine your credibility and limit your career progression.
Studies show that it’s not just what you say but how you say it that influences your professional impact.
Voice tone, pace, pronunciation, and vocabulary choices contribute to how your message is received and how your expertise is perceived.
We’ll refine your verbal communication to match your professional image, focusing on voice control, language choice, and presentation techniques.
Your communication training addresses these specific elements:
– Voice tone and pitch modulation
– Speaking pace and strategic pausing
– Pronunciation clarity and emphasis
– Filler word elimination
– Professional vocabulary building
– Storytelling structures for business
– Question handling techniques
Example: For high-stakes presentations, you’ll master executive speaking patterns: dropping your voice tone at sentence ends for authority, using the 3-8 word rule for impact statements, and employing the “headline-evidence-example” structure for precise message delivery. We’ll eliminate fillers like “um,” “basically,” and “you know” through recorded practice sessions.
For daily interactions, you’ll learn conversation control techniques: using measured speech (120-150 words per minute), incorporating strategic silence after crucial points, and matching your language formality to different professional contexts – from boardroom presentations to team discussions.
Fragrance Selection
Fragrance forms an invisible but powerful part of your professional presence.
The right scent can enhance your confidence and memorability, while inappropriate choices can distract or offend others in professional settings.
Many professionals either avoid fragrances out of uncertainty or make the mistake of wearing overpowering or unsuitable scents.
Understanding fragrance families, concentrations, and proper application techniques is crucial for professional environments.
Different occasions, seasons, and business contexts require different approaches to fragrance.
We’ll guide you through selecting and wearing fragrances that complement your personal brand and professional environment.
Our approach ensures your scent enhances your presence without overwhelming others.
Your fragrance consultation explores these essential aspects:
– Specific scent families (citrus, woody, oriental, fresh, leather, tobacco)
– Fragrance concentration levels (Parfum, EDP, EDT, cologne)
– Seasonal scent rotation (light citruses for summer, rich ambers for winter)
– Strategic application points (neck, wrists, chest, behind ears)
– Fragrance layering (matching shower gel, deodorant, aftershave)
– Professional-size options (2ml samples, 10ml sprays, 50ml bottles)
– Building your signature collection (day, evening, special occasion)
A carefully curated fragrance wardrobe enhances your professional presence while respecting others’ sensitivities.
Example: If you work in conservative finance, we’ll select subtle fragrances like Acqua di Parma Colonia for summer (crisp citrus-herbal) and Tom Ford Grey Vetiver for winter (refined woody-citrus).
If you’re in creative advertising, we’ll explore distinctive scents like Le Labo Santal 33 (woody-spicy) or Maison Margiela Jazz Club (tobacco-vanilla).
5. Styling by Special Occasions
Your professional image extends beyond daily office wear into various social and business occasions.
Successful professionals understand their regular dress code but struggle with occasion-specific attire.
The ability to dress appropriately for different events, locations, times of day, and seasons significantly impacts your social and professional relationships.
Common challenges include overdressing for casual events, appearing too informal at formal occasions, or failing to consider cultural and social nuances.
Each occasion has its unwritten dress codes and expectations, which, when mastered, enhance one’s presence and credibility.
Your occasion-specific styling ensures you confidently navigate every professional and social event, from morning business meetings to evening galas, from summer outdoor events to winter formal occasions.
Styling by Event Types
Event-specific dressing forms a crucial part of your professional image arsenal.
Many executives master their daily attire but struggle with varied event dress codes.
The difference between being appropriately dressed or slightly off can impact your confidence and others’ perception of your professional competence.
Understanding event-specific dress codes goes beyond simply knowing what to wear.
It requires considering factors like timing, audience, industry expectations, and the event’s purpose.
Many professionals either overdress from anxiety or underdress from misunderstanding the event’s significance.
We’ll create precise outfit formulas for every professional and social event you attend, ensuring you maintain your personal style while meeting each occasion’s specific requirements.
Your event-specific styling covers the following occasions:
– Formal business functions (conferences, award ceremonies)
– Semi-formal networking events
– Business-casual gatherings
– Client entertainment occasions
– Industry-specific events
– Professional celebrations
– Team-building activities
Example: As a conference speaker, you need an outfit that photographs well and commands authority: a navy wool-mohair suit for stage lighting, a light blue herringbone shirt for camera presence, and dark brown Oxford shoes for extended comfort.
We’ll avoid distracting patterns or reflective accessories that might interfere with presentations.
For an evening charity gala, we’ll select a black dinner suit with peak lapels, marcella cotton shirt with traditional studs, patent Oxford shoes a vintage watch and a hand-rolled silk pocket square.
Styling by Specific Locations
Location-specific dressing significantly impacts your professional success, especially in international business.
What’s considered appropriate business attire in London might appear overdressed in Silicon Valley or insufficient in Tokyo.
Even within the same country, dressing for a Manhattan law firm differs from a Miami creative agency.
Cultural understanding becomes crucial when conducting international business.
Many professionals make the mistake of applying their home country’s dress codes globally, unaware that details like colour choices, fabric selections, and levels of formality carry different meanings across cultures.
For instance, a standard charcoal suit in London might need to be adapted to lightweight wool in Mumbai or complemented with a traditional Bisht in Saudi Arabia.
We’ll guide you through location-appropriate dressing that respects cultural norms while maintaining your professional image.
Your location-specific styling addresses these environments:
– Regional business districts (Wall Street vs. City of London)
– Cultural zones (Western, Middle Eastern, Asian markets)
– Climate considerations (tropical to Nordic)
– Local formal wear traditions
– Religious dress code requirements
– Industry-specific regional variations
– Venue-specific protocols (private clubs, religious sites)
Example: For business meetings in London’s financial district, we’ll wear a traditional dark worsted wool suit, crisp white shirt, and conservative silk tie with black Oxford shoes – the expected City uniform.
However, we’ll adjust to darker suits, white shirts, and subtleties for Tokyo meetings, ensuring your appearance respects Japanese business formality.
For business in Dubai or Riyadh, we’ll adapt your wardrobe to include lighter-weight suits in appropriate colours (avoiding bright or flashy patterns), ensuring comfort in the climate while respecting local customs.
Styling by Time of Day
Professional dress codes evolve throughout the day, yet many executives apply the same styling approach from morning to night.
Understanding time-specific dressing traditions helps you navigate breakfast meetings to evening functions without appearing out of place.
What works for a 7AM board meeting might look inappropriate at an 8PM client dinner.
Traditional business dressing follows specific time-of-day protocols that many modern professionals overlook.
For instance, morning dress tends to be more conservative and structured, while evening business attire allows for more refined elegance.
Many professionals ignore these distinctions or lack the knowledge to transition their looks effectively throughout the day.
We’ll create time-appropriate outfit formulas that maintain your professional image from early morning to late evening events.
Your time-specific styling addresses these periods:
– Early morning meetings and presentations
– Standard business hours attire
– Afternoon casual transitions
– After-work functions
– Evening business events
– Formal night occasions
– Multi-event day planning
Example: For a breakfast meeting, we’ll select a sharp navy suit with subtle pinstripes, crisp white poplin shirt, and regimental stripe tie – traditional morning business attire that photographs well in natural light.
For an 8 PM dinner, we’ll switch to a darker suit, possibly in charcoal, with a softer twill shirt and a darker, more sophisticated tie.
For a day transitioning from office meetings to evening client entertainment, we’ll create a flexible outfit based on a tailored suit that works across contexts.
We might start with business accessories for day meetings, then transition to elegant evening pieces like a silk pocket square or dress watch for dinner.
Styling by Season
Seasonal dressing poses unique challenges beyond simple temperature adjustments.
While many professionals understand fundamental seasonal changes, they often struggle with maintaining consistent polish across weather conditions.
Looking professional in summer’s heat or winter’s layers requires specific knowledge of fabrics, colours, and layering techniques.
Each season brings distinct challenges: Summer demands lightweight professionalism without appearing too casual, while winter requires warmth without bulk.
Many executives either compromise their comfort for appearance or sacrifice their professional image for practicality.
Understanding seasonal fabric weights, appropriate colours, and layering strategies becomes crucial for year-round elegance.
We’ll create season-specific wardrobe strategies that maintain your professional presence throughout the year.
Your seasonal styling addresses these elements:
– Fabric weight and composition by season
– Temperature-appropriate layering techniques
– Seasonal colour palette adjustments
– Weather-specific footwear solutions
– Seasonal accessory adaptations
– Trans-seasonal piece selection
– Climate-specific tailoring requirements
Example: For summer business meetings, we’ll select lightweight suits in high-twist wools or wool-silk blends (7-9 oz) paired with breathable cotton-linen shirts and unlined suede loafers.
For winter presentations, we’ll layer effectively with a flannel suit (11-13 oz), merino wool cardigan, and cotton twill shirt, completed with storm-welted Oxford shoes.
6. Styling for Media Presence
In today’s digital age, your professional image must translate effectively across various media platforms.
Many successful professionals excel in person but struggle to maintain their impact through photos, video calls, or social media.
Understanding how colours, patterns, and styles translate differently across media becomes crucial for a consistent professional presence.
What looks polished in person might appear distracting on camera, and what works for photographs might look flat in video calls.
Many executives ignore these distinctions or make common mistakes that diminish their digital presence. Each media format requires specific adjustments to maintain professional impact.
Your media presence strategy ensures you maintain a consistent, professional image across all platforms, from professional headshots to virtual meetings.
Professional Photos
Professional photography requires specific styling considerations beyond everyday business dress.
Colours, patterns, and textures that work well in person can create unwanted effects in photographs.
Many executives are either underprepared for photo sessions or make choices that photograph poorly, resulting in images that don’t reflect their professional stature.
Understanding how different elements translate to the camera helps avoid common pitfalls, such as moiré patterns in fine stripes, washing out in light colours, or losing definition in dark fabrics.
Professional photos often serve as your first impression across multiple platforms, making their impact particularly crucial.
Your professional photo styling covers these crucial elements:
– Camera-friendly fabric selections
– Colour choices that translate well to both colour and black-white photos
– Pattern scale adjustments for digital reproduction
– Neckline and collar positioning
– Accessories that enhance rather than distract
– Grooming techniques specific to photography
– Posture and angle optimisation
Example: For corporate headshots, we’ll select a navy suit in matte-finish worsted wool to avoid light reflection, paired with a light blue royal oxford shirt that provides subtle texture without creating moiré effects.
The shirt collar will sit at the perfect height above the suit lapels, and we’ll choose a burgundy tie with a medium-scale pattern that remains clear in digital formats.
For full-length professional photos, we’ll ensure your suit fits impeccably with no pulling or creasing at stress points, as cameras emphasise fit issues.
We’ll select medium-contrast combinations, such as a charcoal suit with a soft white shirt, that define your silhouette without creating harsh lines in photos.
Video Call Appearance
Virtual meetings present unique challenges for a professional image.
While many executives understand in-person presentations, video calls require specific adjustments for lighting, background, and camera angles.
What appears professional in person might look unclear, distracting, or unprofessional through a webcam.
The rise of remote work has made video presence as significant as physical appearance.
Many professionals focus solely on their attire while overlooking crucial elements like lighting, camera positioning, and background setup.
Understanding how colours and patterns appear on different devices and in varying light conditions becomes essential for maintaining executive presence virtually.
We’ll optimise your video call presence across these critical elements:
– Camera-friendly clothing choices
– Background styling and organisation
– Professional lighting setup
– Device positioning and angles
– Screen-specific colour selections
– Pattern and texture considerations
– Movement and gesture adaptation
Example: For high-stakes virtual presentations, we’ll select solid-coloured garments in medium tones like French blue or steel grey that remain clear across different screens.
We’ll avoid bright white shirts that can blow out on camera, opting for a soft white or pale blue that maintains definition.
Your background will be styled with minimal, professional elements and lighting positioned at 45-degree angles to eliminate shadows.
For daily team video calls, we’ll create a collection of video-friendly business casual pieces in saturated mid-tones like burgundy, navy, or forest green that look professional while providing enough contrast against standard home office backgrounds.
We’ll ensure all patterns are scaled appropriately to prevent strobing effects on digital cameras.
Social Media Audit
Your social media presence serves as a digital portfolio of your professional image.
While most executives maintain their LinkedIn profiles, they neglect other social media platforms and how that presence affects their professional reputation.
Every posted photo, shared update, or professional announcement contributes to your digital brand.
Many professionals either maintain outdated profiles or present inconsistent images across different platforms.
The gap between their professional accomplishments and their digital presence can undermine credibility.
Understanding platform-specific requirements and maintaining consistent professional imagery across networks becomes crucial for career advancement.
We’ll assess and optimise your digital presence across these areas:
– Profile photo consistency and quality
– Professional background imagery
– Content style and tone
– Visual branding elements
– Platform-specific image requirements
– Digital colour palette cohesion
– Post type and frequency guidance
Example: For LinkedIn, we’ll create a comprehensive visual strategy with a professional headshot in business attire that matches your industry standards, a banner image that reflects your professional environment, and consistent, high-quality images for posts that align with your personal brand.
For a professional Instagram or Twitter presence, we’ll develop a cohesive visual theme using a specific colour palette and consistent photo styles.
Business casual shots might show you in tailored separates against clean backgrounds, while industry event photos will be selected to demonstrate leadership and expertise.
7. Specialised Image Services
Professional image needs often exceed standard consulting services to address specific life changes or career transitions.
While many image consultants offer general advice, specialised situations require targeted expertise.
Age, weight, career direction, or cultural environment changes demand specific image adaptations that maintain authenticity while meeting new requirements.
These specialised services address crucial transition periods that many professionals face, but few know how to navigate effectively.
Each situation requires unique considerations for maintaining professional credibility while adapting to new circumstances.
Cultural Protocol Training
Professional success in global business requires understanding and respecting cultural differences in dress and behaviour.
Many executives excel in their home markets but struggle when dealing with international clients or relocating to new cultural environments.
A navy suit that commands respect in London might appear overdressed in Silicon Valley, insufficient in Tokyo, or inappropriate in Riyadh.
Cultural missteps in dress or behaviour can damage business relationships and limit professional opportunities.
For instance, wearing bright green in some Middle Eastern countries could be seen as sacred, while certain colour combinations in Asia might be associated with mourning.
Understanding these nuances becomes crucial for international business success.
We’ll guide you through these essential cultural considerations:
– Business attire conventions by region (European formality vs. Asian subtlety)
– Religious dress codes (head coverings, sleeve lengths, trouser lengths)
– Cultural colour meanings (white for mourning in China, green’s significance in Islam)
– Traditional garment protocols (when to wear a Bisht, how to incorporate local elements)
– Meeting-specific dress codes (government officials vs. private sector)
– Gender-specific considerations across cultures
– Seasonal and festival dress requirements
Example: For business in Japan, you’ll learn specific suit protocols: charcoal or navy suits in conservative cuts, white shirts only, minimal accessories, and Oxford shoes that can be easily removed.
Your wardrobe will include suits with natural shoulders (avoiding strong British structure), ties in solid blues or burgundies (avoiding bright patterns), and shirts with moderate spread collars.
For Middle Eastern business, we’ll adapt your wardrobe to include lightweight wool suits in appropriate colours (avoiding bright patterns), longer jacket lengths, and looser fit respecting local modesty.
You’ll learn when to wear traditional dress like a thobe for certain occasions, and how to incorporate subtle elements like mother-of-pearl cufflinks that resonate with local appreciation for refinement.
Age-Appropriate Styling
Professional image evolution through different age stages requires careful consideration.
Many executives either cling to outdated styles from their peak years or attempt to dress too youthfully, undermining their senior status.
The key lies in adapting your wardrobe to reflect your experience while maintaining contemporary relevance.
Common mistakes include wearing overly trendy garments that diminish authority or sticking to dated styles that age your appearance.
Balancing classic elements with modern updates becomes crucial for maintaining professional credibility through different career stages.
We’ll guide you through age-appropriate style adaptations:
– Suit silhouettes by decade (30s fitted vs. 50s elegant drape)
– Fabric choices that complement mature features
– Colour adjustments for changing complexions
– Pattern scale progression with age
– Accessory selection by career stage
– Grooming adaptations for greying hair
– Casual wear evolution by decade
Example: For a professional in his 40s transitioning to executive level, we’ll shift from slim-fit suits to more elegant cuts in premium fabrics like Loro Piana wool, replacing skinny ties with 8.5cm classics in rich textures, and upgrading from fashion brands to heritage manufacturers like John Lobb for footwear.
For a CEO in his 60s maintaining modern relevance, we’ll select softly structured Kiton suits in contemporary colours, pair them with Thomas Mason shirts in subtle textures, and add refined details like hand-rolled pocket squares from Brunello Cucinelli, ensuring authority without appearing dated.
Post-Weight Change Styling
Body transformation significantly impacts professional image, yet many executives struggle to adapt their wardrobes effectively during or after weight changes.
Whether the change is intentional or health-related, maintaining professional credibility during this transition requires strategic wardrobe planning.
Wearing ill-fitting clothes, even temporarily, can undermine executive presence.
Many professionals either delay wardrobe updates, hoping to reach their final size or waste money on intermediate pieces that don’t serve them well.
The key lies in building a flexible wardrobe that accommodates changes while maintaining professional standards, using specific construction details and fabric choices that allow for size fluctuation.
We’ll create strategic solutions for these areas:
– Adaptable garment selection (natural shoulders, adjustable waists)
– Strategic fabric choices (forgiving wool blends, flexible knits)
– Alteration-friendly construction details
– Transitional piece investment planning
– Proportion-balancing techniques
– Style elements that flatter changing figures
– Temporary wardrobe optimisation
Example: For weight loss transition, we’ll select suits with side adjusters and high armholes from makers like Canali that can be altered multiple times.
We’ll focus on single-breasted jackets with moderate shoulders that remain flattering through size changes and trousers with the proper rise that can be taken in without losing shape.
For weight gain adaptation, we’ll choose garments in structured fabrics like Dormeuil’s high-twist wools, which maintain shape while providing comfort.
We’ll incorporate knit pieces from brands like John Smedley, which offer elegance with natural stretch and focus on proportion-balancing pieces like well-cut sport coats from Boglioli.
Career Transition Image Adaptation
When professionals undergo a career transition, their image needs to adapt seamlessly to their new roles and environments.
Transitioning from technical roles to leadership, corporate to entrepreneurial spaces, or traditional industries to creative fields requires tailored image modifications that communicate credibility and alignment with the new position.
We’ll design a professional image that combines your past accomplishments with the expectations of your new role, ensuring a cohesive and authoritative appearance.
This transition-specific consultation addresses:
– Role-appropriate attire: Choosing garments that align with the expectations of your new industry and role.
– Industry-specific aesthetic shifts: Moving from conservative to creative styles or vice versa, with appropriate style adjustments.
– Professional identity reinforcement: Enhancing personal branding elements, including attire, grooming, and communication styles that support the transition.
– Customised wardrobe update: Identifying versatile pieces across different professional settings.
– Enhanced grooming practices: Adapting grooming routines to fit the culture and expectations of the new work environment.
Example:
If you’re moving from a structured corporate setting to an entrepreneurial tech role, we’ll retain professional elements such as fitted blazers and polished footwear but incorporate more relaxed, innovative pieces, like premium denim or high-quality knitwear.
For someone transitioning into a high-profile executive role, we’ll recommend heritage suit brands, custom-made shoes, and timeless accessories that convey authority without ostentation.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and you must ensure that each hue complements your natural colour.
To do that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste –Â the first styling assessment is on us!