Wardrobe Angel Christmas Giftcards

Don't you just love the internet? This year the grand old world wide web brought me Betty Etiquette - Stationary for Storytellers. After a quick email exchange and a few design ideas tossed back and forth I excitedly ordered my new Wardrobe Angel Gift Cards.

A few days later I received these beauties:

Loving hand-created and wrapped in a vivid green ribbon which mirrors my brand colours, each gift-card comes in a thick black envelope which scream elegance and sophistication!

Buy now for the person and wardrobe you love this Christmas! Just drop me an email info@wardrobeangel.co.uk or contact me via my website by clicking here to order yours. I send the gift-cards first class signed for so no chance of your gift-card getting lost in the Christmas rush.

My thoughts on the Ofsted report slamming scruffy teachers

This morning I was invited to go on BBC Radio Humberside to talk about the Ofsted report criticising scruffy teachers at the Acland Burghley School in Camden, London. They had callers on debating whether what you wore was important or not in the place of work. The caller before me said that a more informal style of dress worn by a teacher would make the teacher more accessible and promote greater learning. Wrong. Ofsted had drawn a direct correlation between the state of the teachers' clothing, the presentation of the building and the poor standard of work - the overall lack of pride in the school - to the schools poor level of achievement. The head is stepping down in August.

So what was my opinion? That guidance on what to wear in any business has to come from the top down but in the article in the Evening Standard it says, "Sir Michael Wilshaw, the head of Ofsted, said that too many trainees are sent into schools without proper guidance on professional dress." If that is the case did the teachers even stand a chance against Ofsted? So what proper guidance do you give? 

A DRESS CODE which is the level of expectation you convey to your staff about their appearance: simply put it is what to wear and what not to wear.   

I talked to Burnsy on air about the importance of a Dress Code and the work I had done with Raynes Architecture. When the firm expanded, Lisa, the Director, contacted me to help shape their company image and write their Dress Code so that when a new member or staff that was taken on they would be in no doubt about what was acceptable dress in the Raynes work place. I mentioned a great quote on air from the E-myth revisited which talks about why some companies excel and others don't:

“Is it any wonder that McDonalds, Federal Express, Disney …and many more extraordinary companies spend so much time and money on determining how they look? It pays!” (E Myth Revisited)

Enough said! Even if you aren't running a multi-million pound business (and let's face it, how many of us are?!), or are running a not-for-profit business like a school, what your staff wear is a direct result of the management and leadership at the top and a direct reflection of how they feel about the job they are in.  After I bid Burnsy good day I remembered a Julie Walters programme called Ahead of the Class that was based on the failing school in London outside which the Head Teacher Phillip Lawrence was fatally stabbed in 1995. Do you know what the first thing she said  to her staff as the new "super head" brought it to ring the changes ? She  didn't ask them about the curriculum, the behaviour of the students, or what colour they wanted the staff room painting. No, she asked the teachers to dress smarter. 

(If you haven't read about what all the hoo-ha is about then check out the article in the Evening Standard by clicking here.)

A client's partner has a few kind words to say...

2 years ago my most gorgeous girlfriend (Ali) made the move to being self-employed. Although we had spent a great deal of time looking at the pros and cons of starting our own business we never really gave much thought how our personal image would be effected. From an early age society tells us what we should wear, whether that be in school or walking down the high street. We enter the world of work and although we have choices the expectation is clear, to look professional you must follow the corporate code. Suits, dresses, black, white & grey and although we all add our own little embellishments here and there no individual breaks the rules.So what happens when you take that away, no dress code… no one telling you what you can and can’t wear? Well, that is when you start thinking about your brand and what your clothes say about you.

Ali works in the learning & development industry and in in front of people on a daily basis, attending meetings and delivering presentations. In each of these circumstances your appearance is key. In meetings you must look business like and professional whilst in presentations you must also look approachable and relaxed. Having spent the last 15 years in a corporate environment makes it hard to get your head around your look and the impact that it has. Especially when someone takes away the rule book.

Enter the Wardrobe Angel!!

When Stephanie arrived Ali was not in a great place, business was slow ( as most new businesses are) and she was struggling to find her identity. The pencil dresses and suits just did not feel right anymore, we had tried shopping for new outfits but nothing seemed to work. Stephanie arrived at around 9am and spent the day with Ali going through her entire wardrobe, putting outfits together and advising her on what cut’s etc. best suit her figure. By the end of the day, there was light at the end of the tunnel.

It is all about colours and cuts. Wear the cuts/neckline’s that compliment your figure and the colours that compliment your skin tones and you are away. Within hours Ali had three or four outfits that were perfect for work, she looked amazing. Colourful, smart, professional and best of all created an impact that matched her values and beliefs.

A few days later and Stephanie had sent us a picture board of styles, colours and suggested outfits along with were to buy them. This made shopping so much easier, being able to understand that certain prints don’t work and that some designers actually specialise in making clothes to compliment your body shape. Seeing Ali looking through the Pepperberry website was like seeing a 6 year old on Christmas morning, a revelation!!

6 months later, I am stood waiting for the 5pm train from London to arrive at Wakefield train station. The train pulls in and I start to scan the platform looking for Ali. Through the hordes of grey and black corporate conformists I spy a splash of unexpected colour.  My jaw drops… walking down the platform in a blue Pepperberry dress that perfectly shows off her hourglass figure wearing a smile that would stop traffic was Ali. 

I cannot recommend the wardrobe angel experience enough. If you are struggling with your style and need help or just want to refresh your wardrobe, Stephanie is the one to call.