Why does a girl have to be so silly to catch a client?
I have so many insights from this conference that I hardly know where to begin — perhaps the bottom up will work. Today’s topic — why do people give a flying flip about shoes!??!
I went to an excellent session on building your personal brand, and speaker Randy Siegel offered 7 Brand Builders.
Number Six:
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to those you are trying to impress. Pay particular attention to how your boss dresses, and don’t forget details, especially your shoes. After our smile, they are often the first things people notice.
My reaction: Are you kidding? I never notice shoes. Who the hell cares about shoes?!?
So I asked the speaker and the audience: Do people really notice shoes?
The answer? A thunderous YES!
Not just a quiet yes, or a yes or two… I mean a real YES from every corner. Was I supposed to take Sex in the City more seriously? Am I fully ignorant of true American culture?
By this time I had tangled myself up into a pretzel so no one would see my shoes, which I had thought were perfectly acceptable when I left the house that morning. I had no idea this was really a high priority. Even though I think this is the most ridiculous thing in the world to worry about, I suppose it’s something I need to consider when I dress to meet clients. I promise myself that I will add new shoes to my fall budget.
PS — Anyone know the movie that inspired the title of this post?
More conference session insights to come….
Beth on 20 Aug 2008 at 8:09 am #
Just for the record, before this session, I had two techniques for being confident about wearing shoes and clothes I wasn’t sure about.
1. ACT like you’re wearing exactly the right thing. If it looks like you are wearing a fashion disaster because it’s actually in style, you can get away with it.
2. MOVE fast when you’re walking by people. That way they can’t see the shoe scuffs and other flaws.
No, really. That’s what I used to do.
Claire on 20 Aug 2008 at 8:41 am #
Well, I’m sure that’s all true. The guidance of dressing for the job you want, however, is as old as the hills. That dude is just recycling the same ol’ info. However…maybe if I’d have invested more in shoes, I’d be CEO somewhere by now. Or retired. Ya, I think not. It might have helped me along a little bit, but you still have to have brains to get the job done. I worked with a girl that always had nice shoes but she was dumber than a load of bricks. She was kept around because she dressed hoochie (short skirts, cleavage, nice shoes) but she couldn’t speak a coherent sentence, let alone write one.
Beth on 20 Aug 2008 at 9:09 am #
The whole shoe thing was just a side note. He actually was a great presenter with lots of ideas that I’m excited about.
But it really made me think about the two pairs of black shoes that I’ve been wearing with dress clothes for about 5 years straight.
Kimberly on 20 Aug 2008 at 12:26 pm #
Last winter we hired a new receptionist. The first thing I said was, “She seems really nice and she has great shoes.”
I also happen to notice handbags. And when people wear clothes that are too big for them. You should ask Meg about her pants that I threw away. It was a mercy move for the sake of her butt. She has some darling pants now.
Beth, you live in the city near wonderful stores that have big sales. You have no excuse for bad shoes.
Beth on 20 Aug 2008 at 12:29 pm #
Oh… handbags, too? I’m in so much trouble. Especially since I just gave up a retainer job and a nice monthly check. Good thing I work at home.
Sarah on 20 Aug 2008 at 1:01 pm #
I agree with you, Beth…SHOES???
Mine are comfy, low, and way out of style.
I am on my feet now 5 hours a day – who can think about style?
Maybe teachers are in a class by themselves!
chris on 20 Aug 2008 at 1:22 pm #
beth — my father-in-law once told me a man’s (or a person’s) shoes indicates a lot about a person as it is the foundation on which you stand. I used to buy $40 dress shoes in my early years and they looked like it… now I spend $100+ on dress shoes. I spend time each month polishing them so they look good and so they last. I don’t tell people what I spend, I just don’t want people to judge me for my shoes. I look at what people wear starting from the feet up. If they take care of their feet, they most likely take care of themselves (like an investment vs an expense).
— keep in mind this is coming from a guy who wore addidas flip flops at the ASAE gas lamp street finale. Yes, there’s nothing better than a little air on the toes — keeps me happy.
: )
Beth on 20 Aug 2008 at 1:36 pm #
Dude… Chris, when we were hanging out during the conference, you dismissed one of my comments about my shoes with something to the effect of, “Oh, Beth — you’re always worried about that stuff…”
Right now I’m again wearing Christmas socks and a sundress. I’m never leaving the house again.
John Hewitt on 21 Aug 2008 at 4:54 am #
Wow, I need to go buy some new shows. Perhaps thats why I didn’t get that promotion at work. My VP wears thigh-high boots. Is that a good look for a man?
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Sherri on 21 Aug 2008 at 8:57 am #
Well, admittedly as shallow as it seems, I do notice shoes, clothes and accessories. It’s nice to look polished in the workplace. Let me quote a Philly bum who occasionally shines shoes when loitering outside the building.
You can’t be perty if your shoes are dirty. ~ Anon Philadelphia Bum
Sherri on 21 Aug 2008 at 9:27 am #
and wait, here’s one of my favorite movie lines:
Hannibal Lecter: You know what you look like to me, with your good bag and your cheap shoes? You look like a rube. A well scrubbed, hustling rube with a …
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/quotes – 61k -
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