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Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success
Attire in Arts AdministrationQuestion: I work in arts administration. I have worked in second-tier positions but am now in the top executive position—as an interim. I want to stay at the executive level in this organization or with another organization when my interim contract is ended. I need to project professionalism but also keep an artsy flair. Traditional business suits look dowdy among my colleagues.Linda Answer: The arts industry certainly allows for more creative expression in your clothing than typical corporate positions. A creative-power look should work well for you, especially considering your goals. And just what constitutes a creative power look? The range is vast, but for clarity's sake let's focus on the power aspect first. Power colors are rich and dark in tone. Lighter colors and pastels can express power when worn in combination with dark colors or in a monochromatic fashion. Moving on to the creative aspect, monochromatic dressing creates a great backdrop for art-like jewelry and other accessories that show artsy flair. Some people think that wearing an odd mixture of colors properly reveals their creative side. Beware of that line of thought as too many colors worn at one time can make you appear clownish, downgrading your overall professionalism. Instead, choose clothing that suits your coloring, flatters your body type, fits well, and has unique—yet simple—lines. View a garment as a whole, without focusing on any ornamentation or pattern designs, to see its real lines. Since you want to keep the first-tier executive position on a permanent basis, powering up your image on a daily basis is quite important. You can dress with flair and style and look empowered. Jackets are still the best way for a woman to convey authority. Check out some of the cropped pant outfits (not capri pants, cropped pants) with matching stylish jackets. While those are not appropriate in traditional business environments, they look terrific in the arts arena. Be sure to wear high-style shoes, such as mules. On the days when you are not wearing an outfit with a jacket, wear long sleeves to maintain the visual authority of an executive. It's challenging to describe precise outfits without knowing your body type or style preferences. You really have the option of long skirts, short skirts, or pants. You can go with more of a flow-y look versus a severely tailored one. The trick is to look authoritative—in charge—and exceptionally chic. With that, your hairstyle, makeup, and accessories all play an important role in your overall image. Dressing with an artsy flair is not an overly casual look. Do not err on the side of too casual, even though it's summer, to win this job on a permanent basis.
Best of luck to you,
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