May 1, 2019 6:00:02 am

Amp up your style: Experts suggest ways to update wardrobes

Bill West, broker associate and partner with The Group Inc., poses for a photo at his office in Fort Collins. West can often be seen in a coat and tie. Joel Blocker / For BizWest

By Michelle Venus

Let’s face it: Colorado is not known for smart executive style. It’s not uncommon for C-level personnel — both men and women — to show up to the office sporting hoodies, t-shirts, jeans and the ubiquitous Nike running shoes. Like it or not, how you present yourself speaks volumes about your persona and professionalism, and you need to consider the subliminal message you’re sending out to the work world. First impressions are important, and studies have shown that people make a decision about you in approximately three to five seconds.

But what if you want to spiff up your look and have no idea where to start? Follow the advice of well-dressed executives and professional stylists for some first steps to a more fashionable you.

The Basics

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Feeling comfortable in your second skin is key. That doesn’t mean yoga pants and a sweatshirt. Wear clothes that make you feel confident, but not dressed in a costume

Certified image consultant Marian Rothschild advises her clients to set themselves apart from the crowd by carving out a personal niche. If jeans are the de rigueur in your office, wear a well-fitting polo or an ironed button down shirt — wrinkled from the dryer won’t cut it. But it doesn’t have to be tucked in anymore. You can set your shirt free, with or without a sweater atop it, and still present a professional front.

Women have a bit more latitude. Tops can run the gamut from a tailored shell to a bell-sleeved blouse to a tunic. If you leave your shirt untucked, it should skim your hips.

The Suit is the Thing. Or is it?

Bill West, a Realtor with The Group in Fort Collins, makes a point to wear a suit and tie. “I’d say it’s a classic business look that withstands the test of time,” he explained. “My clients are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate, and they deserve the best of me, including what I wear. They should have someone who is as serious about their purchase as they are.”

Amy Kolczak of Timnath, senior associate general counsel for UCHealth, dresses professionally in her job. She enjoys accenting her attire with shoes fit for the occasion. Joel Blocker / For BizWest

Amy Kolczak, senior associate general counsel at UCHealth, remembers the start of her career in Atlanta, when suits were obligatory for attorneys. “I appreciate that more flexibility has been embraced in terms of what can be worn in the workplace,” she said. “I am still required to look like a lawyer, but that doesn’t mean a navy suit and boring shoes. Today I am wearing a black dress and black cardigan for our board meeting. But I am also wearing black and pink glitter ombre stilettos. I do want to dress the part of an executive and business leader, but at the same time I want to express my personal style, and embrace current trends and wear fun shoes and accessories; it’s a combination of both.” Amy admits to having more than 100 pairs of shoes in her closet. “It’s a big closet. Shoes are my go-to for completing an outfit.”

“Suits may be trending in New York and LA, but I am not seeing them trending here in Colorado,” said Marian Rothschild. “For men, I’m seeing dark jeans that fit, rather than faded jeans that are too big and shirts that are well-fitting in the shoulders and the body, in colorful stripes or deep colors. Most people are walking around in the wrong-sized clothes. Wearing well-fitting clothes in shapes that flatter your body type actually make people look slimmer than wearing something baggy that they think might hide a few extra pounds.”

Laura Hansen, a stylist with bespoke mens fashion company J. Hilburn, said matching shoe color to pant color is no longer a not-to-be-broken rule, but matching your shoes to your belt pulls an outfit together. J. Hilburn stylists work with each customer individually to build a custom-made wardrobe, from business and casual-wear to golf clothing. Hansen points out that executives invest in themselves with expensive career coaching and other training, and often their outfits don’t reflect their business acumen. But when they invest in custom-made clothing, they’re making a statement that says, “Take me seriously.”

Shop Your Closet

Expressing yourself through trending fashion doesn’t require expensive trips to boutiques and specialty shops. Lisa Sharpe, owner of Stylish Sparrow, works with women who “want to find freedom in their closet by editing and organizing their wardrobes.” She helps them discover their personal style with what they already own.

“Most Americans wear only about 20 percent of the clothes they own. By paring down overflowing closets, I help my clients find their favorite pieces and how to combine them to create outfits they love and will wear,” she explained. She then takes photos of the different outfits and creates a custom Look Book to remind clients how to put their outfits together.

Lisa warned women to be aware of letting bra straps show. “It’s fine for the weekend, but at work it’s just unprofessional and distracting.” She also recommended sitting in a chair with legs crossed and taking a look in the mirror to see how a skirt looks under those conditions. Swing the chair around and take a peek from the side. You may be surprised at what you see.

In the long run, dressing for success isn’t about wearing a uniform as in days past. It’s about expressing your individual personality and style while presenting a professional front. It’s about comfort and confidence and saying, “This is me.”

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