A tie with specks shows that you’ve been sloppy. Too much pattern on a tie
confuses the eye and may draws negative responses. Keep ties clean, silk,
and simple.
Graeme struggles to understand the impact that his clothes have on people’s
perceptions and why some people find his choices unacceptable. He has a
preference for ties designed by a modern Italian artist whose designs would
be better framed on a wall than displayed on a man’s body. Their visual
impact is so overwhelming that I was asked to advise Graeme about his
clothes choices and the message they were sending. Because Graeme sought
to distinguish himself from the corporate crowd, he purposely chose clothing
items that made him stand out. We explored his values, needs, and belief sys-
tems and how he demonstrates them in his behaviour. Eventually, Graeme
came to understand his need to be seen as different and how that was nega-
tively manifested in the way he presented himself.
If you want to advance in your career, dress appropriately for your body
shape and colouring. Making an effort with your personal appearance, and
dressing appropriately for your environment, is a vital career skill. If you
want to move up the corporate ladder, look at the people who have the jobs
above you and note how they dress. An image consultant can help you find
the shapes and colours that suit you best.
Chapter 11: Playing with Props 191