SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You a Weekend Slob?

SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You a Weekend Slob?

This week’s article is dedicated to the guys. When the weekend rolls around, do you turn into a slob? Just because it’s Saturday doesn’t mean your image has to change dramatically. If you look great all week long, is it really necessary to look like you just rolled out of bed and pulled on clothes from the hamper? I had an interesting experience this weekend while at Patriot Place in Foxboro.

A friend and I decided to check out the shops, have a little lunch and do some people watching. If you are familiar with Patriot Place then you know the stores and restaurants are a bit more upscale. Knowing this, I was a bit surprised to see the type of attire while walking around. I saw more men in old shorts, worn-out tee shirts and baseball caps. I guess I just must be old school even though I am not that old. I was even more shocked when a young sales woman at one of the stores asked me and my friend if we were going to lunch because we were all dressed up.

Mind you I had on white jeans, sandals and a red sleeveless top and my friend was wearing a golf shirt with pressed khakis and casual shoes. I told her, “Yes we are going to lunch but we always dress this way!” Times have changed to the point where people just don’t care if they look like they just rolled out of bed. What’s funny is you can be extremely comfortable and still look good. So for those of you who care and want to maintain a consistent look as you never know whom you might run into while dining or shopping, check out these tips below.

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Buy casual clothes that fit your body shape and size in fabrics that are soft, breath and move with you. Soft cotton, knits, and jersey are all good choices. Cargo shorts that go well below your knee paired with a worn out tee shirt don’t scream success.

Take off your baseball cap when entering a restaurant or any building for that matter. It is rude to wear a hat inside period.

If you think that big tee shirt hides your growing beer belly, think again. It only makes it look bigger! Instead try a dark colored shirt with a bit of texture or small pattern that fits your body shape. If it has a collar it will help offset some of that heft.

Update your casual wardrobe especially if you have been out of college for a while. It’s time to let go and move forward.

Make sure your clothes are free of stains and holes. Nothing says lazy and sloppy like a big stain on the front of your shirt.

If you plan on taking your wife or girlfriend to lunch or dinner at an upscale restaurant show her that you care by wearing a collared shirt and dress shorts.

Find a casual shoe besides your old sneakers or flip flops.

Presenting yourself in a polished manner says you care about yourself and you respect others. Your visual image tells a story in less than 6 seconds. Don’t you want to tell a positive story? There is really no excuse for looking like a slob. There are many choices for casual clothes and the good news is they are very affordable. So next weekend, do yourself a favor and take your casual look to the next level.

Margaret Batting is the Corporate Style expert for GoLocalProv.com. Margaret is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.