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

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

Going Back to Work: Style Tips to Simplify the Great Return

Are you a corporate professional who is going back to the office and you need to transition from your zoom tops to professional in-person outfits?  

And you've looked in your closet, wondering, is what you have hanging in your closet even in style? 

And the next question you're probably asking yourself is, oh my gosh, what fits?

Of course, you are, you haven’t worn a large portion of your pants in 24 months. 

Maybe you've gained a little weight, maybe you've lost a little weight?

And you're feeling a little bit hesitant, a little bit nervous about what are you going to wear? 

Let’s chat about getting your wardrobe prepared so that you will look put-together, confident, and feel ready to rock your world as you reenter.

My #1 Style Tip for Going Back to Work: Begin Going Through Your Closet and Editing What Makes You Feel 100% Confident NOW!

Step One: Pants

• Begin with your pants because if you've gained weight, if you've lost weight, the first place that we really notice it is in a pair of pants. And so go through your pants and figure out what fits. 

• What do you feel confident in? 

• What do you want to keep moving forward? So preparing yourself before the you know, the weekend before and realizing oh my gosh, my pants don't fit. 

• So do you need another pair of trouser pants for all your beautiful jackets or your blouses that fit really well? 

• Look at a pair of jeans, maybe you're in a more casual setting. Maybe going back to the office, I have heard that many employers are saying that you can dress down, but maybe you want a nice pair of fitting jeans that fit well. 

• Why? Because they're polished, you can put them on with a beautiful blouse or wear a pair of white jeans, and possibly add a jacket. So get your pants in order that's really important.

Step Two: Jackets

• The next is maybe you do want to make sure that the jackets that you have, what are you going to keep?

• Are some of the jackets too traditional that maybe you need to go down a notch in a little bit more of a kind of dressy casual kind of feel?

• So I believe in having a handful of put-together polished outfits that you feel confident in, and having them ready to go at a moment's notice.

• This could be a couple of pairs of pants, one of your favorite blouses, a great jacket, and all those pieces can mix and match so that you aren't, you know, stressing out feeling overwhelmed thinking, oh my gosh, you know, I've been in front of zoom for 24 months, and now I need to go back to the office, and you need to get ready.

So I want to invite you if you are somebody who's listening and saying Annette, I am overwhelmed.

I am stressed.

I need help.

Because you're a different woman now than you were 24 months ago, right?

We evolve.

So I have a brand new offer that I'm so excited about.

It's called The Seven Day Signature Style Edit.

And what did you just design for exactly what I just talked about?

You are going back to the office, maybe you already have some great pieces. Maybe you have a lot of holes and you don't know how to put those pieces together so it's put together, polished confident, and I can help you with that.

So I invite you to go check out the Seven Day Signature Style Edit, and I would love to be your Personal Image Consultant and stylist so that you can show up oozing with confidence.

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 find the perfect fitting pants.

As a personal image consultant who has worked with 1000’s of women I have found that whether you are a size 2 or 22, pants can be difficult to fit.

I get it. Not all pants are created equal.

Before we continue to chat about fit, know that with Covid, shopping is different and it can be extremely difficult to find what you need with in-person shopping.

Shopping for clothes online has become our new norm.

As a professional stylist who now shops for her clients online 99% of the time, I am going to help you with my best personal styling tips and advice.

Something no one talks about when shopping for pants.

Personal Styling Advice Tip #1:

Decide on your preference. Do you know what styles and cuts look best on you? Are you aware of your body type and what styles flatter you? What styles make you feel most confident?

If you are a professional, powerful woman, knowing the answers to these questions will empower you to show up as the best version of you every time.

·       Straight

·       Wide leg

·       Boot cut

·       Skinny

·       Crop pant

Instead of getting overwhelmed with ALL the silhouette choices, begin with one look.

Personal Styling Advice Tip #2

Think about your measurements. When was the last time you measured yourself? Get current measurements so that you can easily make choices when shopping online.

·       Waist

·       Rise -waist to crotch

·       Back rise

·       Hips

·       Thigh

·       Inseam

Personal Styling Advice Tip #3

Stop wasting time ordering pants and that are not going to fit you perfectly and give you the confident feel and look you deserve.

Remember just because a particular brand is the perfect fit for your friend Emily, doesn’t mean they are going to fit you perfectly.

Personal styling is unique to you.  

The goal is for you to love what you are wearing while feeling ultra-confident as a professional businesswoman.

When you have a strong self-image of how you are walking into the room or zoom room, others feel your self-esteem and success.

Style begins with the woman, not the clothes.

HERE ARE 4 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 to Feeling Confident and Empowered with Ease.

2. Join my upcoming FREE 60-minute Style Strategy and Confidence Masterclass. Register at: https://www.annettebond.com/masterclass

3. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 60-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, dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

4. 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!