How Words Can Affect Your Personal Style

Today, I want to talk about “words” and how they can influence being seen with confidence.

Whether you're stepping into your closet, giving a big presentation, or shopping for a great pair of jeans, the words you use to describe yourself, your personal style, or how your closet feels will affect how you see yourself.

If I took you shopping to Neiman Marcus, styled you in the most AMAZING outfit, and you looked in the mirror and verbalized your annoyance of your “poochy tummy,” you will always be disappointed with the outfit.

Are you aware of the “words” you use to talk about yourself?

Are you guilty of referring to yourself as dowdy or your closet is chaotic?

Does your day miraculously unfold just as you described it?

Or maybe you go out of your way, not to be seen?

When I was a young girl, my mother used to tell me, “Annette if you can’t say anything nice about anyone, don’t say it at all.”

That teaching has never left me. 

What if…you stopped talking to yourself that way?

What if…you began using empowering words to describe your personal style, your closet, how you want to experience your day?

Would you then feel more confident to be seen?

Style Tip #1

• Become aware of your self-talk 

• How is it affecting you emotionally when you refer to yourself as dowdy?

• One-by-one eliminate words that don’t empower you to feel beautiful and seen

Style Tip #2

• Become aware of how you want to be seen, choose a word for the day as you choose your outfit 

• Notice how you feel as you embody your word of the day

• Your word + your outfit = Ready to Be Seen

I can guarantee your confidence will elevate instantly as you become more intentional with the “words” you use to describe yourself. 

Your inner radiance will shine brighter as you embody your words.

Others will notice as you are stepping forward to BE SEEN. 

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

Being Seen with Confidence

Have you recently noticed that prior to an upcoming event, whether it's in-person or online, speaking, or you're presenting at an important meeting, that you have this not-so-good feeling deep down about showing up fully?

And then you begin to blame it on the last couple of years, weight gain: Covid-20.

Your age is creeping up, and it’s affecting your psyche about being seen? 

Or maybe it’s your outfit – it doesn’t feel professional and put-together?

You're noticing yourself doing a lot of comparison with women in your circle? 

And it's really starting to mess with your mind about being seen.

If this is you, you are not alone. 

If we haven’t met, I’m Annette Bond, certified image consultant. And I work with successful, amazing women, just like you who are not feeling 100% confident in being seen and it’s starting to erode your self-confidence.   

It's holding you back from showing up fully.

I have worked with women for 30 years; it's truly been a lifetime passion. The one common denominator that I find with the clients I work with, “Annette please help me to show up more confidently.”

Welcome to Being Seen with Confidence Series where we are going to discuss what it looks like to show up confidently. 

We’re going to begin by focusing on what you can do today. 

Several small steps. 

They may feel small and trivial, but I guarantee these small steps are going to elevate your confidence when it’s your time to be seen.  

One thing I know for sure as women, you compare yourself to other women.  

She’s prettier. She’s skinnier. She speaks better. 

You’re worried about being judged. 

STOP RIGHT NOW!

You are in a losing battle and not alone.

I remember so clearly, four or five years ago, when I was told, “Annette, you need to go LIVE on Facebook.” 

I was so terrified. I can remember the pit in my stomach thinking EVERYONE was going to be watching me. 

What were they going to think? 

My message was not good enough. 

Who cares about what I have to say. 

Funny thing is….no one was watching me. 

I’ve discovered that life is too short to continue down that path. 

What another person thinks is none of my business. 

Life is too short to continue hiding.

God gave me a gift and I am going to share it and you should too.  

BEING SEEN Style Tips!

#1 What do you LOVE about YOU?

• It might be that you love your eyes. 

• When was the last time you wore make up?

#2 What makes you feel beautiful?

• Is it a beautiful new blouse that brings out your eye color? 

• Or maybe you have a stylish chic blouse anxiously waiting for you in your closet, that you haven’t worn in 2 years?

#3 What makes you feel like having fun?

• Creativity. Curiosity. Femininity. 

• How might you express that in your clothing choices. 

What you have begun to do is; focus on your inner beauty and what makes you feel beautiful on the outside. 

Next step, how might you express that in your clothing choices?

In business we all know, what you FOCUS ON…EXPANDS. 

I want you to begin focusing on what makes YOU feel amazing and watch it expand. 

Feel Beautiful, Dress Up, Be Seen.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

10 Perfect Pieces to Creating a Dressy-Casual Wardrobe

Are you really good at what you do whether you're a corporate professional or an entrepreneur, but when it comes to your dressy- casual wardrobe, you question, how do you create a perfect dressy-casual wardrobe?

What are the pieces you need?

Where do you go shopping?

Welcome to the dressy casual wardrobe series, part 4 as we bring it all together with pants, shoes, and jacket options for creating your perfect dressy-casual wardrobe.  

Life has changed over the last 24 months; it’s gone more casual. 

Adding the 10 Perfect Pieces to your wardrobe will allow you to dress with ease, be on-brand, and confidently ready to be noticed. 

Step ONE / 2-3 Pants

• 2-3 pants that fit your lifestyle

• Make sure your pants fit your body type

• Can you wear each pant style with 2-3 other pieces in your wardrobe

Step TWO / 2-3 Jackets

• Think of your jackets as a layering piece

• Choose 1-2 neutral colors

• Find a signature jacket that presents a polished put-together look

Step THREE / Shoes

• Think 3 levels of shoes – casual, dressy casual, sophisticated/fashion forward casual

• Focus on your lifestyle and how you want to feel when you show up

• What shoes are missing in your current wardrobe?

As you are shopping and creating your dressy casual wardrobe, think about your lifestyle. By incorporating the ‘right 10 pieces’, it allows you to show up confidently put-together, feeling polished, and ready to be seen and noticed. 

Stop fussing with your clothes. Edit them out or alter them. 

If you are ready to take the next step and know you can’t do this on your own, let’s chat. 

Book your ‘Get Dressed with Ease’ call

Click here to learn more about my head-to-toe transformation, 90-day Reveal Your Radiance program.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

How to Style Your Dressy Casual Jackets for Weekend Play or Casual Work Environment

Jackets are my thing. Whether it’s for work or play. 

You may be more of a sweater girl. Either way, they are both great layering pieces and add an extra layer of style to any outfit. 

As a Seattleite, I feel there is always a need for a tad of warmth in both the summer and fall. (ok, yes I’m always cold)

Today, I’m sharing 3 dressy casual jacket options that you can wear in a casual work environment or weekend play, elevating your simple casual look to a put-together and polished one. 

I talk about lifestyle and having a wardrobe that supports you. 

So, what does that mean really?

Being able to go to your closet, and instantly know you have the perfect jacket for the event or occasion you’re attending. 

And of course, with some style. 

#1 The Most Versatile Jacket

• Why? Because I can wear this black and white gingham jacket with three levels of dress. 

• It is a jean denim fabric that is relaxed yet elevated, never feeling underdressed or overdressed

• Whether I wear it with my pearl earrings or white sneakers, it just works beautifully for my elegant casual lifestyle

#2 The White Track Jacket

One of the trends for spring and summer 2022 is the “great white out”. Lots of white, whether that is shoes, dresses, and eyelet blouses. 

• The beauty of white, it’s crisp, clean, and organized. (aka; the personality of white) 

• It is a neutral that goes with just about EVERYTHING. 

• Not just for working out, in fact, this jacket never makes it to the gym. Have fun with the versatility and choose your right color. 

#3 The Running Jacket That is NOT Just for Running

There are times when you need a casual jacket to throw on with your cute joggers, jeans, or skort. This is that jacket. (ok, yes you can definitely wear this jacket for running and you will look sooo good!)

• Fall in love with the color and feel of the fabric 

• A hood, brings more casual to the jacket

• Quality, brings more elegance to your style

As you are shopping and creating your dressy casual wardrobe, think about your lifestyle. 

• What are the various events in your life that you never have the right jacket?

• What do you love on other women or see online, and wonder if you could pull it off? 

• Begin making a list of your needs and missing links. 

• Shop with more intention and make new decisions. 

If designing a dressy-casual wardrobe feels like too much work and you need help, let’s connect so that I can learn more about your lifestyle needs and personal style challenges. 

I would LOVE to help you. 

Click here and let’s chat.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

3 Shoe Options to Wear with Your Favorite Pants

Have you just bought a new pair of pants that you can’t wait to wear when you suddenly realize you don’t have the right shoes?

Or maybe you are questioning what style of shoes are appropriate? 

Having a variety of shoe options, definitely makes getting dressed more fun. 

The good news, is you have options.

I’m going to share 3 Shoe Options to Wear with One Pair of Pants.

Shoe Option #1 – The White Sneaker

The White sneaker was made popular back in 2014 by fashion bloggers and street stylists, the simple white trainers.  

It’s now 2022, and they are not going anywhere. They are here to stay, and I personally love my white sneakers.

If you’re a girl with a little sportiness or enjoy a little comfort, a white sneaker is a must. 

• They provide a clean classic vibe. The color white denotes refined and elegant. 

• You are elevating your sneaker game with a minimalist white sneaker. 

• Wear your white sneaker with a jean, a casual summer dress, or a skort.

Shoe Option #2 – The Patent Leather Sneaker Shoe

Personally, I love patent leather. It’s that instant splash of shine and dressy combined. 

Patent leather might not be your thing but think about a sneaker sole with an added dressier shoe combination. Or for you, maybe it’s casual flats. The perfect Dressy Casual Shoe. 

• Elevate the everyday with comfortable and chic.

• Experience versatility of dress sneakers for work.

•  Wear with jeans, Ponte pants, or cotton twill.

Shoe Option #3 – The Mule Shoe

I remember my first pair of mules, 20 years ago. I loved them. 

They are back with a vengeance with style and ease. 

• The easiest pair of shoes to slip into and feel instantly dressed up in a casual chic way.

• The block heel gives the dressy casual pant an elevated look and feel. 

• Short legs? Pair your pants with a pointy toe mule, it’s going to give you an elongated leg.

Looking to keep connected? Download my FREE Get Style Confident Now Guide!

Stepping down from your stilettos doesn’t mean taking a step down in style with these flashy kicks.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

3 Pant Silhouettes to Create 3 Three Levels of Dressy-Casual Style

Have you found your professional attire moving toward a “dressy casual” look and feel?

And notice that you tend not to wear professional trouser pants like you used to?

You know you need another option in pants, but are not sure what to purchase?

Today I’m going to share three pant options to add to your professional wardrobe that will give you the dressy casual look and feel yet sharp and polished.

#1 Dressy Casual Level One – the Joseph Ribkoff Trouser Pant

• What I love about these pants is you can dress them up or down, which gives you versatility and ease when getting dressed.  

• The pant has elastic at the waist. There is something so comfortable about elastic, as it allows you to move and breathe in your pants with ease. Gaining a few pounds around the middle gives you some wiggle room to still feel comfortable and confident. 

• It’s an ankle-pant. You can wear an ankle-pant with various shoe styles. A traditional pump. A sandal. A fancy sneaker.

#2 Dressy Level Two – Dark Wash Black Jeans 

• The straight-leg silhouette is classic and timeless. It is always in style and does well with most body types. 

• The dark wash black jean gives you the visual appearance of a pair of trouser pants but the look and feel of approachable and understated. That is dressy casual. 

• The black jean has a professional yet stylish appearance that can be styled with jackets for a crisp sharp presence.

#3 Dressy Level Three – 5 Pocket 4-Way Stretch Fabric Pant

• Here I am introducing a lululemon pant but there are so many options available in this level of dressy casual.  Looks like a jean silhouette but with more polish and elegance.

• Personally, I love the polished fabric with a 4-way stretch fabric that is ultra-comfortable and allows you to move with ease.

•  This pant also gives options to wear with multiple shoe styles.  From a dressy sandal or pump to a dressy casual sneaker.

BONUS: The Skort – Skirt with Benefits

• Dressier than a pant but not a professional skirt style. 

• Benefit of the spandex short underneath so you can move with ease. 

• Personally, I wear my skorts to work in front of zoom to riding my bike to the winery and then to dinner.

As you may have noticed, all my pant options are black. 

Yes, black is versatile and easy to mix-and-match. 

To expand and optimize your wardrobe, I encourage you to ‘try on’ and consider other neutrals like navy, khaki, or white. 

Join me next week for part 2 of the dressy casual wardrobe series as we chat about shoe options. 

If you haven’t already, please come join us in the Style with Significance Private Facebook group as we continue the conversation. 

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel