Welcome to another episode of the Style and Strategy podcast.
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So, today's episode is really going to cover something that I say a lot. I want to talk about five key areas that are impacting your brand and style when it comes to fit.
We've all been there, right? Wearing an outfit that just doesn't quite hit the mark. You know, maybe it's the way your blazer fits, or maybe it's the bottoms that just don't sit right. But what if I told you that there are probably five common fit mistakes that could be quietly sabotaging your brand without you even realizing it?
Well, today I'm going to walk you through them, and just wait until you hear the last one. It's a really small detail, but it could actually be something that could unlock your best look yet. So stay tuned for that.
Now, you might be thinking, "Well, why is fit even crucial to your personal brand? And why does it even matter?"
So, let's just get really clear. Fit isn’t just about comfort. And, you know, I've talked about comfort and style before, but it's more about that initial impression that someone might have. It’s how you're first perceived because those first few seconds can really impact the authority and influence that you might have when you walk into a room, when you're on a Zoom meeting, or when you've stood up on stage. It can really start to affect your authority, your influence, and potentially impact how you want to be seen.
So, let me dive into this now.
Mistake number one: Oversized pieces. Now, don't get me wrong, I know what’s on trend, and obviously, oversized has played a massive role when it comes to styles and trends of late. But if the oversized piece is so big that it's completely swimming on you to the point where it no longer looks like a trend but actually looks like the outfit is way too big for you, then it can start to lose structure. And so you might unintentionally be creating a really sloppy, relaxed look, which might undermine your professional presence.
You might be thinking, “Yeah, but I might be going for that relaxed look.” Well, that’s totally different. What I’m talking about here is where you're unintentionally doing that, which could actually give the perception of “I didn’t care,” or “I don’t take it seriously.” It could also show a bit of a lack of polish around the outfit that you've put together. And in environments where first impressions matter, you really want to dial up the structure. It is really important because it’s in those types of environments that you gain a bit more elevation in the way that you’re presenting yourself from your brand perspective. In those cases, tailoring is always going to be your best friend. Whether it’s a well-fitted blazer that hits your shoulders just right, it can really elevate the entire look.
If you think an oversized blazer or something like that may be the only culprit for a lack of structure, think about a common wardrobe piece that could also be sabotaging your look. So, wait until I get to that.
Mistake number two: Your pants, for example. You might have seen your tailored pants, and they could be too long or too short. I love a wide-leg, long-line pant because they’re very comfortable, and it also creates the sense of a longer leg. Now, what you just need to be careful of is that Victoria Beckham might be able to get away with a really long pant that drags on the floor, but in an environment where you want to consider your personal brand and how you want to represent it, that pant leg dragging on the floor, especially if you're walking on concrete pavements or similar surfaces, can not only damage the garment but also give the impression that maybe you didn’t have time to go to the tailor or that some small details were potentially overlooked.
This can detract from your professionalism because that person, from their perspective, might think your outfit wasn’t fully thought through from a practicality standpoint. Maybe you’re going up on stage, and you might trip. It’s something that could impact how you're perceived. So, make sure that you're considering how your pants are tailored to your height, especially when switching between heels and flats to get more return on investment from your wardrobe.
Mistake number three: Button gaps on shirts and dresses. Whenever I am styling a client, I look at those finer details. How is the item fitting when they sit down? Is it pulling and creating gaps between buttons? Does it look too fitted when standing up? Button gaps can be distracting, and they can hurt your credibility. The purpose of nailing your style is so that people focus on your words, not on what's happening with your outfit.
If the buttons on your top are popping or creating gaps, it can be a major distraction. Looking at the stretch of the fabric and maybe even adding some hidden snaps can help make sure everything is sitting smoothly. Testing how your clothes fit when standing, sitting, or moving is key to avoiding this issue.
Mistake number four: Shoes that are too tight. I recently saw a documentary about Celine Dion where she mentioned that she would fit into any shoes, no matter the pain. While I love a great pair of shoes too, if they’re too tight and hurting your feet, you’re going to get distracted.
When you're uncomfortable in your outfit, it will show. Your posture will suffer, and instead of walking tall with your head held high, you might find yourself scrunching your feet or limping. This impacts how you present yourself. So, I absolutely recommend that you prioritize comfort and fit equally.
Mistake number five: Waistlines that don’t sit right. This might seem like a subtle issue, but it can make or break your overall look. Whether it's a skirt, trousers, or where the dress line sits, if it's positioned too high or too low, it can create an unbalanced appearance. I focus on this a lot, especially when working with speakers who are getting up on stage. I want to ensure that nothing is distracting from the message they are delivering. The waistline plays a massive role in creating a balanced and polished look.
If the waistline is off, it can make an otherwise professional outfit look unfinished and take the edge off your authority. So, ensuring the waistline suits your body type and tailoring the outfit if necessary is really important.
I’ve covered five key fit mistakes that I’ve seen time and time again, which could potentially impact your personal brand more than you think. Fit is more than just looking good. It's how you project your authority, give you confidence, and give you that professional edge you're looking for.
If you’ve noticed any of these fit issues in your wardrobe, don’t worry—they’re easy to fix. Adjusting them or keeping an eye out for them going forward will help elevate how you show up both personally and professionally.
So, if you got value out of today’s episode and want more insights like this, make sure you hit that follow button on your podcast provider. Reach out to me if you’d like more guidance on mastering both your personal brand and style.
Thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of Style and Strategy. I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode.
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