Industry experts style insights

Style advice is sometimes served best from the people who walk their talk and not necessarily from the fashionistas of the world. The fortune of serving thousands of customers over the last 9 years has come with many a blessing. Often referred to as a go to for advice for style many an inspiration has come from the clients that frequent V and J Menswear. I would like to applaud the amazing movers and shakers, entrepreneurial minds and caring souls that pay it forward and share their knowledge.  

What does your clothes say about you? Have you lost your style mojo?

Covid19 for many has been an excuse to dress down because we are in the comfort of our home. Style is more than dressing for the part it is a way of life, an attitude. Developing a style doesn’t happen overnight. It evolves with age, life experiences and the social realm we play.

I would like to share insights of a small cross section of phenomenal people that enter V and J Menswear. Be inspired by industry experts that through habit have mastered being true to themselves and created an image that demands respect. Understanding presenting well, maintaining good hygiene and grooming fosters a healthy mind and attitude. Complicated dressing is for the fashion victim. Comfort, style and elegance is achievable, just make it habitual. Everything requires effort in life the more you put in the greater the reward. The following people understand the most important part of their style is not the label they wear but the one they represent, themselves! Enjoy some of insights and beliefs of some great men and women that may not be necessarily famous for their fashion but appreciated for their truth and expertise in their respected fields.

Sean Lyons

Vice President Financial Adviser at Morgan Stanley

"Despite the current Covid environment, I have found it important to keep it smart and presentable even when working from home. Gives you a sense of both respectability and worth in approaching not only work, but clients can also feel this aura. Take pride in your work, take pride in yourself. Plus, I’d prefer not to have spent the last three months in tracksuit pants!".

Tony Tardio

Newsreader and presenter at 3AW and Rete Italia at The Italian radio network

“I have been sporting casual Friday attire, (chinos, collared shirt) with comfort in mind and elegance as opposed to gym wear, track suit or hoodies. It’s not about being cutting edge after all most people are working from home and there is only me a couple of colleagues a desk filled with bottles of Glen 20 and hand sanitizer. None the less I try and look presentable because my colleagues are young intelligent stylish ladies.”

Michael Henry Digital Executive Speire Consulting

Digital Executive | Future of Work | Workplace Experience | Keynote Speaker University of Oxford Alumnus

” Even though you may be working from home it is important to physically and mentally prepared to “show up” and give your 100%. For me this means doing some exercise in the morning and dressing in my normal work attire for the day. Wearing my suit and shirt helps get me mentally prepared and it also provides a great way to transition from “work” to home” as you can change out of your work clothes in to your casual gear at the end of your day – this gives you a sense of transition and allows you quickly to become present with your family”

Alison McWhirter

Corporate Branding Portraits | Creative Portraiture | Commercial Photographer | Wedding Photographer

“With recent downturn in work activity I am stuck at home pretty much 24/7, circulating between pyjamas and activewear! One day I decided to re-do my portraits, something I’d been wanting to do for ages but never seemed to find the time in between fulfilling my client’s needs. I set up my equipment, I styled my hair, did my makeup and put on some nice clothes I felt comfortable in but that I also knew made me look pretty damn good! On that day, and in that moment when I was taking my self-portraits, I felt like the best version of myself. Suddenly there was a shift in my posture, I was standing tall and feeling great, despite what was going on in the outside world. I provide advice to my clients on attire and styling for their photoshoots and how feeling great in what you’re wearing translates to great expression in front of the camera, but this experience for really brought home how your sense of style is so important for your wellbeing and confidence, particularly when times are a little bit tough!”

Sam Deckert Owner Peak Insights

Driving effective collaboration | Unleashing tech investments Integration|Software|Support|Coworking

” My personal purpose, and the purpose of Peak businesses, is 'to make a difference'. To be the best we can be, professionally and personally, and then applying that growth to positively impact the people and organisations around us. Professionalism is key for us - dressing well regardless of the situation shows respect for our clients, for our team and importantly for ourselves. It shows attention to detail, a willingness to step up, personality (at times!) and is a reflection of how we operate."

Tony Nicholls owner Good Talent Media

Crisis Media Consultant | Media Training & PR Counsel | Former Live Broadcast Journalist with ABC, SBS & Ten Network

“Mind set and energy. Dressing well for me is no different to going to the gym or meditating. Sets the frame for maximum results. You help me do that!!!” 

Domenic Barba partner Integritas Group of Companies & Taxtalk Pty Ltd

Professional Accountant | Small Business Accountant | Tax Specialist

“You can tell a lot about a man by the status of their shoes.” 

Isabella Villani

GAICD | Director | International CX Expert, Author & Speaker

“Keeping up appearances at home includes your physical appearance as well as your surroundings. Video conferencing technologies such as Zoom, Skype and Teams allow businesses to conduct face to face meetings virtually. Personal branding is key. Making sure you're dressed for success in a clean, quiet and organised environment contributes to making your clients feel that you are still 'open for business' and will continue the same quality and professional outcomes as you would face to face” 

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Simon McCuskey

Award winning Master of Ceremonies (MC)|Marriage Celebrant| Event manager host and presenter.

“Keeping up appearances and waking up every day was simply to:

·        grow, learn, adapt and evolve both as a person. 

·        not stay still, or become stagnant.

·        push myself and explore where this season takes me.

·        refresh my business model and plan where I want to go post season;

and

·        not waste time. Life is a precious gift and time is a resource. Utilise it to your full potential.”

Ted Turner Partner Ashfords

Executive Director at Ashfords | Partner, Business Services | Certified Practicing Accountant

“In these challenging times, where clients want access to you in real time, it is difficult to keep your mind in the game. The discipline of preparation, assists your state of mind. Keep the routines, get up, switch on, put your battle suit on, and still maintain your professionalism and let it show in your appearance to your clients, be up to the challenge.”

Ashfords’ understand the importance of upholding standards for client engagement. They have communicated via email to their staff the positives of dressing smart and professionally. The message emphasises preparing your mind for the engagement, having a different mindset than just working at home…you can take calls on MS Teams and Zoom, and are ready to go just as you would be if you were in the office.

Catherine Gale owner Resolve Conflict

Family Lawyer | Mediator | Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner| Collaborative Lawyer | Family Court Litigator

“Why bother getting dressed professionally when working from home? I hear that many people who are in Zoom meetings all day are dressing from the waist up and otherwise are wearing their PJ's or track pants! It is so important to keep our spirits up in these difficult times and one way of doing that is to continue to take pride in our appearance even if no-one see us from the waist down! Choosing fashionable and stylish clothes and wearing them is a feel-good experience at any time, whether anyone else sees or not and is a great way to keep spirits up and maintain a positive sense of self while we are all locked up at home. My mantra therefore is wear your best gear, do your hair, put on your makeup and look and feel great every day.”   

Thankful for the contribution from the exceptional business minds above. There are a countless number of clients that visit V and J that would be able to contribute insights on this topic. I wish all could be include and encourage sharing any inspirations in the comments section of Linked In.

As an overview, it’s O.K. to sometimes feel sluggish and a little off during this Covid19 world. Uncertainty and isolation can all get the better of us. Feeling a bit low in self-esteem can lead to a lax in attitude toward ourselves and those surrounding us. Complacency can easily reset your standards that unknowingly become your new norm. If you need a little pick -me- up consider sharpening your look to ignite a new self-appreciation. In turn this may help achieve an overall feeling of positivity in effect encouraging an improved outlook. If you are looking in the mirror and not enjoying your current look discover the pieces in your wardrobe that makes you feel radiant. Transitioning into a better version of yourself could just be the right medicine to bringing your mojo back. Keeping up appearances in the long run can only be beneficial so back yourself and allow yourself to shine.

‘We are all a walking billboard, being noticed is part of the glory being remembered is the art.’ Enrico Miolo Owner/Founder V and J Menswear