How to Create a More Professional Appearance For the Holiday Season:

Taking the time and effort to create a more professional appearance for the holiday season may be more important than you realize. It will affect the way that other professionals and non-professionals, as well as your family and friends, relate to you. It may also be an important factor with respect to your future employment.

The article, “A professional appearance” suggests that “from head to toe, the details matter” and offers guidelines for improving professional appearance. 

Your appearance matters no matter where you are, at work or at home. If your employer was to come to your door, would you look like a professional or would you feel embarrassed? Is it possible that others you work with will show up, as well.

Are you a professional who takes pride in your appearance, at all times? You may be uncertain as to how you can become more professional looking, but be aware that most professionals can improve their appearance in one way or another, but it takes time and effort.

Consider the following tips for creating a more professional appearance for the holiday season.

Begin by looking in a full-length mirror. Do you dress for success and like what you see? If not, others may not like it either. Is it old-fashioned, stiff and stodgy looking? Is it too casual to make a good impression?

Make a proactive decision to change your appearance in a positive direction, so that you become more professional looking and pleasing to yourself and others. Consider your general comportment too, because that is something others will notice. Do you sit straight and stand tall? Do you hold your head high?

Evaluate your overall appearance, but not in a self-negating way. If your appearance has become shoddy, it may be partly because of the way you feel. Everyone has times of sorrow, sadness and even bouts of depression, which are relatively common during the holiday season.

Be aware that if you decide to upgrade your appearance, you will feel better and it may affect the way others feel about you, as well. If necessary, seek professional guidance or help.

Personal hygiene is important, so the basics are essential. Even though it is the holiday season and you are resting, you will feel more comfortable after taking a hot shower or a relaxing bath. Pamper yourself, just as you would to make others happy during the holiday season.

Take the time to have your hair done by a professional hairdresser, rather than just letting it grow out. Consider trying a new hairstyle. You may also learn new hair care tips that will help you look more professional when you return to work after the holiday. You could do the same in terms of your makeup, but avoid radical extremes like piercings, psychedelic hair colors, radical tattoos, etc. Remember that cosmetics, toiletries and perfume reflect your personal preferences, as well as your image.

What you are going to wear is invariably going to be a question in relation to holiday celebrations. Investing in a new wardrobe may appear to be the perfect solution, but during difficult economic times, doing that may not be too realistic for you. Examine your wardrobe carefully and see what you need, can use or change. Perhaps it simply needs updating.  

Watching for holiday season sales can prove beneficial. Even upgrading one or two items in your wardrobe can make a difference in your professional appearance and the way you feel. The same is true with respect to your shoes and boots. Plan to wear attire that is appropriate for the season and avoid over-dressing, as that can make you feel awkward and uncomfortable. Make certain that the clothes that you wear fit you properly.

Jewelry reflects personal style and can make a difference in the way you look. Good taste is always important, so do not overdo it.

Remember that the first thing that anyone will see is the smile on your face. They will respond positively to an appropriate holiday season greeting. If you are a happy person, others will be attracted to you. The words that you say and the things that you do are as important as your appearance, so always act like a professional.

Expect to see your efforts at improving your appearance rewarded in the future and they will be.