Personal Style: Many people wonder- What should I wear for my body type? How do I dress professional? What do I wear to an interview? These questions have many different answers, but what it comes down to is - what will look best on YOU! Just because a particular style is "In" does not mean it is a good style for you.

Finding your Personal Style may not be as easy as going to the mall and trying on a few outfits. There are multiple factors to consider. Personal Style for men and Personal Style for women are different, but the elements of an analysis are the same.

Determining what looks best on you can be discovered by:

1. Evaluate Body Type: This can also be called a figure analysis. Measuring different lengths and widths of your body can be calculated to see what type of body shape you are. Different cuts and styles of clothing are optimal for certain body types, and should not be worn by others.
2. Identify Skin Tone: Skin tone is more than just how tan you are. Slight undertones and overtones in everyone's skin can make a large difference between a color looking great on you, or color just looking drab.
3. Colors and their seasons - You must have a brilliant understanding of colors and how they can complement eachother before putting together an outfit. Knowing what matches and what doesn't can be determined by knowing Analogous, Complementary, Tetradic color schemes, as well as varients of their hues and saturations.
4. Line and Design - Different types of patterns can give you the appearance of looking taller or thinner. Different body types should wear patterns differently to acheive optimal appearance.
5. Lifestyle Dressing - Age, situation, and cultural environment factors should all be weighed in when chosing an outfit or wardrobe.

   In all situations, business and social, our outward appearance sends a message. Look around you at what people are wearing and see if you don't make judgments about who they are, their line of business, their personalities and their competencies.

   Think about how you feel when you are dressed in your usual business attire as opposed to choosing casual dress. Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility.

   Dressing for Business - It is important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your organization in a positive manner. How you dress depends on four factors:

   • The industry in which you work
   • The job you have within that industry
   • The geographic area in which you live
   • What your client expects to see

Why is Personal Style Important?

Professionalism is the embodiment of the how we should strive to act, whether we are being watched or not, and in a way that would make ourselves and others proud. Sophistication Sophistication is an acquired characteristic. People with sophistication have self-confidence and class and know how to act in many types of situations.

Intelligence is a word we use everyday. It is the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience.

Credibility is the quality of being believable or trustworthy and is defined by Webster's® Collegiate Dictionary as the quality or power of inspiring belief. When applied to an information source, credibility centers on three factors: opportunity (is the source in a position to know?) ability (does the source have the skill and competence?) dependability (is the source responsible and trustworthy?)

Your self-image affects every aspect of your life--it determines your self-esteem, how physically active you are, and even how you treat others.

Working with your body image is the number one way to improve your self-image. Through this site you'll learn how to improve your body-image by better understanding your good qualities and how to highlight those qualities to reveal a better you. We want you to take this first step in improving your self image, and in effect, improving every day of your life.

The most important point, whatever your size or shape, is to wear your clothing proportionally right for you. Just because a particular style is "In" does not mean it is a good style for you.

How can I find my Personal Style?

You can start by reading some of the basic information on this site on different body types, importance of self-esteem and more. Two eBooks on personal style are also available for you to download to read or print.

You may also want to consider either hiring your own personal style consultant, or even furthering your education to become one yourself. Becoming a Certified Personal Shopper or wardrobe consultant can be completed in as little as 24 hours of study time. With that knowledge you can work on developing yourself as a true professional.

Dr. Joyce M. Knudsen, AICI CIM is known worldwide for her development of the Home Study Mentoring Program and for becoming the first recipient of the AICI Master Status Award. Dr. Knudsen has now developed the Personal Shopper/Wardrobe Consultant Course to make it possible for everyone to look and feel good about themselves, while sharing their knowledge with others and derive an income at the same time.