Do you think dressing casually costs you points in the business world? Is business dress a dying breed in the corporate culture of today?

A recent article published in MSNBC, talked about Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg and how his “casual” way of dressing was losing his company investors on Wall Street:

Mark Zuckerberg’s shaggy, baggy, haute-hoodie Manhattan appearance this week to launch the campaign for his company’s initial public stock offering didn’t induce any “likes” from Wall Streeters or fashionistas — only the kinds of catty critiques that typically season Facebook’s chatter.

But some style gurus believe Zuckerberg calculatedly donned his normal dorm-frumpy garb to send New York’s financiers a crisp message: “The West Coast techies truly fuel this economy, and you will now live by our rules (and our dress codes).”

“He sort of thumbed his nose at that establishment, essentially saying that high tech is now moving into Wall Street. They’re young, they’re hip and they’re here,” said Joseph Rosenfeld, a San Jose–based “image mentor,” who helps rising dot-com stars and established Silicon Valley tycoons carve out personal styles.

But Zuckerberg is not alone. There are many high-profile CEO’s that dress down and don’t sport a business suit.

The Facebook CEO’s scrappy duds certainly reflect a wrinkled “we’re-typing-code-all-night!” look common at the hustle-and-sweat startups of Silicon Valley and beyond. Other notable followers include entrepreneurs like Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist), Dennis Crowley (co-founder of Foursquare), Andrew Mason (founder of Groupon) and Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn).

The untucked look has been the high-tech fashion norm since the days when Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak tinkered with their first prototypes in Jobs’ garage. When Apple hit the big time, Jobs didn’t change his look. For major launch events, he always strolled stages wearing his trademark black turtleneck and blue jeans.

“At one time, that black turtleneck was a very striking, nonconformist look,” Bryant said. “But if we leap from business suit to black turtleneck to hoodie, you can easily see that Mark Zuckerberg’s cohort doesn’t feel that dress makes a strong statement. (Hoodies, T shirts and jeans are) just what they’re comfortable wearing. That’s really become their uniform.”

What do you think? Do you think dressing casually is okay today or does business dress still matter?

In all my experience, I can safely say business dress does count in the corporate workplace. How you dress affects how you are perceived. Understand that the people mentioned above ‘want’ to be perceived in a certain way. But show up like that for an interview and it won’t be perceived well.

Although business casual dressing is accepted by many companies today, there are still some rules to follow at work, and I can guarantee you’ll be taken aside by your boss for a one-on-one if you sport a “don’t care” attitude and don’t adhere to those rules.

The bottom line is if you’ve made it then you can get away with ‘casual’ or whatever your preferred style is. But if you’re still making your mark (like most of us) business dress plays a critically important role in getting ahead in the business world.

Summer is just around the corner, and cities across the country have already benefitted from a preview of what’s to come: sunny skies, blooming flowers, and unusually warm days. Once the temperatures start to climb, many of us are inclined to bring out our favourite sandals and sundresses, in preparation for spending as much time as possible outdoors. Caution: while breezy tank tops and flip-flops are appropriate for the beach and the park, they should not be worn to the office. Business attire is still the protocol for corporate and professional settings, even when the heat is on and we are tempted to shed layers. Here are some do’s and don’ts for summer attire in the office, with a few tips to keeping cool – even when looking your professional best.

Office-appropriate summer footwear can be tricky, because different corporate cultures have varying expectations. In some business-casual offices, elegant and simple sandals or peep-toe pumps are permitted. If this is the case, before breaking out the open-toed shoes, make sure that your feet are sandal-ready (a pedicure may be in order!). Flip-flops are never appropriate in the office; these should be left as beachwear only. For corporate or professional settings that require more formal dress, sandals of any kind should not be worn. Sling-back pumps are a great option that allow for more breathing room, while maintaining a tasteful style. You can also wear sandals or casual shoes on your way to and from the office, as long as you have a pair of pumps or closed-toe ballet flats waiting for you when you arrive.

In terms of attire, dressing in light colours and materials is key. For tops, stick to cotton or linen shirts: a crisp, white shirt keeps cool in summer and is a classic option. Blazers or jackets are also made in summer-friendly materials: linen or seersucker for both men and women provide a lighter alternative than a wool blazer. Or, a standard navy blazer over a white shirt also allows for a fresh look. Short-sleeve or three-quarter-length sleeve dresses in a lightweight material make for a comfortable alternative; if you choose a sleeveless or thin-strapped dress, a cardigan or light blazer would be necessary to cover bare shoulders.

With regard to bottoms, khaki pants or dress pants made from a lighter material are reliable options. Skirts should still maintain a modest cut around the knee, but switching up a more breathable fabric in lieu of a wool skirt will help to keep cool. The question of whether pantyhose is necessary in summer is again subjective to varying office cultures and different levels of attire: however, as stockings are the norm year-round in business formal and as well as in some business casual settings, I would recommend continuing to pair tights with skirts – opting for the sheerest and lightest versions in the hotter months. In any professional context, denim and cutoff shorts are inappropriate, though in more casual environments, well tailored Bermuda shorts or Capri pants are acceptable.

Luckily, air-conditioned offices during the summertime make it more comfortable to don standard suits and jackets when necessary. The trick is finding an easy transition and balance between professional attire and breezy summer fashion. And if you’re going to head to the beach right after work, bring your flip-flops, swimsuit, and beachwear in a tote to change into – after hours!

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We all know how important body language is when appearing for an interview or communicating in the corporate world.

But here’s something to think about: can you predict the outcome of a political race by looking at candidates’ body language?

A recent video interview on CBS of body language expert, Don Khoury by political analyst, John Keller revealed that body language and non-verbal communication says A LOT more about politicians than what they actually say in words.

The way they’re dressed, the way they move and carry themselves speaks volumes.

Keller and Khoury examine 4 leading candidates, President Barack Obama, Republican candidate Mitt Romney, and two leading candidates in the US Senate race, Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown.

Click here to watch two short videos and see the four candidates in action, as their body language is analyzed by expert, Khoury.

Body language is critical, and at Corporate Class Inc. we take it seriously.

Since 1981, we’ve been advising Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, universities, associations, politicians and private clients on body language, business etiquette and more.

Our long-established reputation of providing quality training, services and products has earned us the distinction of being a North American leader in all matters of image and etiquette.

We provide individual, as well as group and company-wide solutions through consultation, audits, customized programs, seminars and keynote speeches.

Contact Diane for more information – today!

Image: Chris O’Meara/AP Photo|Steven Senne/AP Photo

Do you travel to exotic lands for business? With the increase of globalization, outsourcing, and foreign investments – international travel has become a must these days for the corporate executive.

Being sensitive to the traditions and customs of other nations and accepting the corporate dining etiquette of foreign cultures is key when it comes to building global business relationships.

Dining out and sampling the foods of other countries is always exciting but as an article from the Economic Times explains, many a times, “Business persons have horror stories to share about the foods they were offered when dining overseas.”

Here are some of the most common examples:

Snake soup: Taiwanese dish, accompanied with a shot glass of snake’s blood
Sannakji: Chewy Korean dish of squirmy whole octopus (freshly killed) with sticky tentacles
Tarantulas: Fried spiders consumed as munchies in Cambodia
Tuna eyeball: A delicacy in Japan and China
Balut: Boiled fertilised duck embryo, a specialty from Philippines
Maggot Cheese: Pungent Sardinian cheese which uses fly larvae’s digestive action to ferment sheep’s milk
Insects: Fried crickets, spiders, scorpions and worms are sold as protein snacks by street vendors in Thailand.
Pork Chitterlings: This strong-smelling dish from Europe/Latin America/USA is cleaned pigs’ intestines soaked in Lye Haggis: Scottish savory pudding, made of minced heart, liver and lungs of a sheep
Fugu: Japanese poisonous puffer-fish

As a non-vegetarian, what should you do when offered meats you’ve never eaten before?

For starters, it may be a good idea to try them – who knows; you might like it and carry an interesting story back home!

If you aren’t adventurous enough, politely refuse without offering reasons for doing so. Never look at a food item in a foreign land and in a shocked voice utter ‘you eat this?’

If you’re a vegetarian, inform your hosts when they extend the invitation – don’t wait until you are seated in the restaurant. Unlike India, where vegetarian options are plentiful, most nations don’t interpret vegetarianism as strictly as we do – you may be offered eggs, fish or even sea food!

It’s essential to respect the corporate dining etiquette of other cultures, without compromising on your own beliefs and being pulled into something you are extremely uncomfortable doing.

Being prepared to know how to handle any international etiquette or global dining etiquette situation with poise is a must if you’re an avid business traveler.

How has your corporate dining experience been when travelling for business? I’d love to hear from you! Please share your comments below…

Image: mrpuen / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In your university years you may be used to shorts, a T-shirt and sporting a pair of flip-flops – but what happens when you’re close to graduating and want to land a job that you’re interviewing for?

A professional-looking business suit is a must for selling yourself, as the pitch to get the job starts with the first impression.

Recognizing that dressing for success is crucial, UTSA (The University of Texas at San Antonio) has come up with a new initiative called the Career Closet where panicked students can borrow a business suit for 2 weeks for FREE! All they need to pay for is the cost of dry cleaning before returning the suit.

Here’s the full story on KSAT news:

“They say anywhere from 55 to 70 percent of non-verbal communication is looking the part, so we thought we could help out students by really letting them look good,” said Barbara Jackson, UTSA Career Center counselor.

Using a $2,000 grant from the UTSA Family Association, folks with the Career Center went shopping, buying several men’s and ladies’ business suits in a range of sizes, a few shirts and neckties.

Students check out the suit for two weeks for free. Their only cost is to have it dry cleaned before returning it.

“We’ve already had several students come in and shared with us that their suit helped them get the job or interview,” Jackson said.

The university is accepting gently used donations to add to the new Career Closet.

Dressing for Success is as important to land the job as the interview itself. And the excerpt above proves one thing I’ve always known to be true as a Toronto image consultant – you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on your wardrobe to look good.

When it comes to dressing for success creativity and making smart choices goes a long way. UTSA’s initiative is a perfect example of just that.

If you’re a top college or university, running a short course to teach students how to dress for success can be a great idea!

In our 60-90 minute Business Dress course, students will learn why image is a powerful tool that relies on appearance, specifically dress and grooming. Projecting executive presence and the right impression improves both stature and reputation, with increased confidence as a byproduct. Participants in Business Dress learn to manage and improve their image through training to develop a heightened sense of self-awareness.

Contact Diane Craig for more information today!

Image: FrameAngel / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you get nervous when you walk into a room full of people you don’t know? Sure, we’re all used to networking via social media – tweeting, posting to LinkendIn and sharing on Facebook- those don’t seem to intimidate us much, do they?

But when it comes to a one-on-one business networking event, professional meeting, workshop or seminar, why do some of us end up with sweaty palms and an uncomfortable feeling in the gut?

Agreed, attending an event without any familiar faces can be scary, but NOT if you go with a goal in mind BEFORE you arrive. This will help you “avoid wandering around aimlessly or trying to strike up forced conversations with people who don’t interest you.”

Here are 10 great tips offered by Forbes on “How To Work A Room Like You Own The Place”:

1. Go with a purpose. Remind yourself why you are there. You are using your precious time to network and to make some useful connections, so make sure you aren’t wasting energy. Set a couple of targets like: speak to three new people; or try to learn at least two new pieces of information or gossip.

2. Use inside contacts. If you know the event organizer and he or she is around during the event, ask for an introduction to key people who you ought to meet there. Having a warm overture will make the process of networking easier. It will also save you the time of trying to find people who you don’t know.

3. Be a lone ranger. If you’re attending the event with people you already know well, such as colleagues and friends, don’t fall into the trap of sticking together for the whole event. Talking to people who you already know will lessen your chances of meeting new ones. To extricate yourself, deliberately sit next to someone you don’t know during a talk or a meal that takes place during the event.

4. Get the lay of the land. Observe group formations before choosing whom to approach. Look for people who are most likely to respond positively. These would be individuals standing alone who are waiting for someone to talk to, or groups of twos and threes that are open to new participants. You can see this in their body language: if they are facing outward, chances are they are having a casual conversation and would be happy for others to join in.

5. Be aware of your own body language.Folding your arms in front of your body and looking at the floor forms a barrier between you and the other person and gives the impression that you don’t want to talk to them. In contrast, leaving your arms unfolded and maintaining eye contact will make them feel welcome.

6. Break the ice. Don’t feel like you have to say something profound. Breaking the ice can be as simple as commenting on the venue, the program or the food; asking people where they’ve traveled  from or whether they’ve been to the event or place before; or expressing an interest in why they are attending.

7. Mind your handshake. Most meetings start with a cordial handshake. Put out your full hand, avoiding the half-handed (and halfhearted) grip, which can feel like a cold fish. Shake firmly, but don’t make it a bone crusher. Maintain eye contact and smile as you greet your new potential contact.

8. Ask open-ended questions. These are questions that ask who, what, where, when and how – as opposed to questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Your goal is to explore ideas and opinions and also to show your listening skills.

9. Go easy on the business cards. Make each one count, rather than handing them out like a meaningless pamphlet. It’s not about volume–it’s about quality contacts. Be ready to hand out a business card if someone requests it or you think that you have a made a good solid new connection. Forcing it on someone who doesn’t seem to want it just makes you look desperate.

10. Be generous. Offer to help where you can and don’t expect anything in return. Most people appreciate a favor and want to reciprocate. In time, your virtue may turn out to be its own reward.

If you want to master the art of working a room, look no further than Corporate Class’s Working a Room workshop.

Maximizing networking opportunities at meetings, conferences and trade shows is the nucleus of this session. Participants cover a full range of techniques to make connections and build relationships including: making an entrance, mastering the art of introduction, successful mingling and small talk, remembering names, handling food and drinks, plus, advance prep and final follow-up pointers.

Watch a video and learn more about our exclusive 60-90 minute Working a Room workshop here!

Travelling abroad for a business trip? You might feel overwhelmed when it comes to practicing international business etiquetteor settling in and adjusting to local customs. But, don’t fret – just yet.

Travelling globally for business can actually be a rewarding experience if you’re open to learning about the traditions and practices of the country you’re visiting. In fact, showing enthusiasm and interest in your host country’s culture can actually be very good for business.

Here are top six tips offered by Fox Business, to help you adjust to a new country and come away with the business deal you want:

Observe
The best way to adjust to a new culture during business is simply through observation. Patrick Gray, president of the Prevoyance Group, has lived and worked across numerous continents.He suggested, “Watch how others dress, greet each other and interact with other locals.”

Local customs are often formed over many generations so you will certainly make mistakes. As long as you’re a conscious observer, people will know you’re trying and forgive the occasional (and inevitable) missteps.

Practice business etiquette
When you travel for pleasure, you don’t just represent yourself. You become an ambassador for your country and your company. Therefore, proper etiquette should be at the forefront of your mind. This means wearing the proper attire, being punctual and not being distracted by your smartphone when in the presence of an important business associate.

Learn about the country
Since the United States’ culture and politics reach many corners of the globe, chances are that the people you encounter on your business trip will know the name of our president, have an opinion on government and may even have a favorite American television show. You cannot be an expert on every country (nor should you pretend to be), but you should research the country to develop a basic understanding. This simple gesture will communicate that you are an open-minded individual who thinks globally.

Research differences in manners
You shouldn’t just learn about the country in general. You should also research how you should operate in the culture specifically. You are, after all, a visitor and should extend respect, as your host country conceives of it. Just a little research can go a long way in learning what your host country thinks is and is not appropriate.

Think beyond your way 
Doing business in a different country can be frustrating because you may perceive flaws in the way they execute their business affairs, just as they may perceive flaws in the way you execute your business affairs. Sometimes there are preferred methods for a particular task, but the optimal approach to a specific business maneuver won’t exclusively exist in one country or the other. This is where both cultures can learn from the other. However, since you are a guest in their country, adopt their business manners, at least at first. Enter the culture from a position of humility.

Deal with culture shock
For extended business trips, you may experience culture shock, which often manifests itself in different phases: honeymoon, negotiation, adjustment and acclimation.

During the honeymoon phase, you might see the new culture in a romantic light. The negotiation phase (which can begin after about three months) is when you start to sense the differences between your home culture with your new location in a way that creates anxiety or loneliness. During the adjustment phase (which can last as long as a year, if not longer) you slowly start to feel as if your new culture is normal and any negative feelings may decline. If you reach the acclimation phase, you will feel comfortable and sense that you can be a full participant in the new culture.

While going through the sadder, more difficult phases of culture shock, remember not to take out your frustration on any business clients. On the other hand, when you feel enthusiastic for their culture, feel free to share this with them.

Corporate Class Inc.’s International Business Etiquette module presents essential techniques and strategies for doing business with international clients. The program consists of  four linked modules:

1. Understanding cultural differences Be able to recognize the main stumbling blocks facing North Americans abroad. Assess your ability to adapt to another culture and be aware of the dangers of stereotyping.

2. Become familiar with the different categories of culture Become acquainted with how people from different parts of the world value hierarchy, status, performance, legal agreements, scheduling, deadlines, business relationships and personal ownership.

3. Learn different communication styles Assess your own communication skills in personal meetings. Learn the main communication differences: context, styles, intonation, space, gestures and humour. We will offer guidance showing you how you can enrich your communication with international counterparts.

4. Excel in international business interactions Learn the business etiquette of your target country. These include forms of address, introductions, body language, handshaking customs, business card exchanges, appropriate conversation, gift giving and dining.

If you want to land your next business deal abroad, learning  proper international business etiquette is essential. Contact Diane and get started today!

Did you know it’s not necessary to use words when communicating? Your body language at work can say a lot about you. In fact according to many leading psychologists who research the art of body language, they believe that almost 60% of all communication is done through body language – and in my many years of learning and training on the subject, and specifically on how to use the right body language at work – I would say that’s pretty right on.

Body language at work is critical to understand. It can not only change the direction of a conversation but it can transform the way others perceive you.

Here are 5 body language tips offered by Inc.on how you can shift a conversation by not saying a word:

Symmetry

Symmetry is basically your position to the person you are communicating with. Let’s say you and the other person are sitting in chairs. They are facing toward you, but you are facing 45 degrees from them. Your symmetry is off. If your head is cocked to one side, or one side of your body does not match the other then the symmetry is off.

By shifting to face the other person and leaning forward with an open posture you can indicate acceptance and interest and encourage the other person to follow this line of conversation. By turning away and closing your posture you can get them to shift the focus and communicate your lack of interest in this line of communication.

Height

Some executives use height to demonstrate their dominant position buy raising their chair higher while making the chairs on the other side of the desk lower. This is wrong because during open communications you want to be at the same height as the person with whom you are communicating.

I frequently use height to politely end a conversation. We have all worked with someone who frequently interrupts and drones on. When they entered my office and sat down, I would stand up. This generally ended things pretty quickly so I could get on with my day.

Posture

Posture can convey interest or disinterest. You can slouch or sit up straight. Each of these actions conveys something to the other person.

Open and closed positions

If you fold your arms across your chest it is generally viewed as a closed posture. You are communicating that you are not listening. Arms at your sides communicate a willingness to listen.

Facial expression

I love this one. Many of you that are parents use this on a regular basis.  One of my children will ask a question or make a statement and they can read my face like a book. A scowl, squinting the eyes in an “I don’t understand” way or just shaking the head can convey much more than the spoken word.

I have heard people coach on body language. They say sit up straight to maintain an open position and use positive body language always. I think that’s like signalling a landing aircraft on a carrier with all positive signals. Bad idea. Sometime you need them to do something different. So the next time you speak with someone, use the information here and gauge the response. You might be surprised.

Use the right body language at work and you’ll have conversations going your way, and you’ll be giving people the respect they deserve as you communicate with them. This will all help shape how others perceive you at work and will help you get ahead and reach higher levels in your career.

If you’re an organization, talk to Diane Craig about doing a 60-90 minute lunch and learn session, educating your employees about the importance of the right body language at work. Effective communication can lead to only one thing – increased productivity. Contact Diane today!

Proper office etiquette is something you must be aware of and adhere to, to be successful at your job.

Office etiquette can mean alot of different things depending on the company you work for. Generally speaking however, it is “a set of norms widely accepted as appropriate behavior” in most workplaces. Some behaviours include, dressing appropriately, being courteous and respectful of others, displaying good manners and other things like using technology at work appropriately.

According to Careerealism, here are 3 Essential Office Etiquette Tips to help you get ahead at work:

1. Dress Appropriately

If the dress code is business casual, make sure you clarify what is and isn’t appropriate. Business casual has become the norm for many employers, but many people are still unclear on what this means. For some, it means khakis and polo shirts, casual pants, casual dresses, etc. Some companies have a business casual policy that excludes jeans or open-toed shoes.

Some companies have one dress code when you’re working in the office and another when you’re meeting with clients. The generally accepted rule is to dress like the client or one step above, but double-check with your supervisor.

One of my first managers always told me to “dress for the job you want.” This is good advice and has been helpful throughout my career. If you’re dressing like your manager or the people in the next hierarchical level of the company, you are probably appropriate for the workplace.

2. ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ Are Still Magic Words

When we were children, “please” and “thank you” were referred to as “magic words” that were to be used when we were asking for something and then, in turn, receiving something. Although we’ve all outgrown the reminders from our parents, these words have certainly not lost their enchantment. In fact, these words are so important almost every language has some equivalent with similar meaning.

Please and thank you still have a prominent place in the business world and you should use them at every opportunity.

By using common courtesies, you demonstrate you respect the people with whom you are dealing. Even if you don’t work in a customer service job, keep an attitude of customer service. Your colleagues and, more importantly, your superiors will begin to realize you are a go-to person if you’re almost always pleasant.

3. Be a Team Player

In many workplaces and career fields, there is an expectation you will work with other people on projects during the course of your employment. It’s sometimes tough to get along with varying personalities and that is precisely why clear communication is so important. Part of office etiquette is working well with others and communicating effectively. Take time to listen to other people’s points of view. You may not always agree, but it’s likely you can learn something new by being open to other perspectives and respectful of other people’s opinions.

It’s essential to keep up with the above tips, and the code enforced by your workplace. Remember, quite often proper office etiquette codes are not really written so it is something that you’ll have to judge for yourself and come to understand.

If you’re an organization wanting to lay down some office etiquette rules to gain increased productivity, or if you’re an employee trying to decipher the unwritten office etiquette code at your job to get ahead – Contact Toronto Image Consultant, Diane Craig, today and see how she can help you!

In the year of her Diamond Jubilee, it goes without saying that HRH Queen Elizabeth II has had to dress up for quite a few occasions, for quite a while now. Like any great style icon, she’s carved out a style of her own – one that has been unique to her, one that she doesn’t deviate from and sticks to religiously.

As an image consultant in Toronto, I enjoy the rewarding experience of helping men and women find a foolproof approach to getting dressed. Recognize that what might work for someone else might not work for you. They key is to develop your own style. If you’d like to get pointers from someone who has mastered her style, here is a guide published by The Wall Street Journal on how to dress like the queen:

Below the knee. Please. Her Majesty (HM) never deviates from this one; neither can I find any pictorial evidence to suggest that, since being crowned, she ever has. Hemlines may have risen and fallen, but the queen’s skirt and dress length has remained resolutely and strictly the same. Very sensible: flattering and safe in one go. Hoik it up an inch and it could work for you, too. For the best skirt and dress lengths this season, try Jil Sander (pictured).

Get a day coat—same length as your dress or skirt, sometimes matching (see Jil Sander), often coordinated, always demure. The best summer coats are, hands down, Prada (pictured). OK, so Mrs. P (another style icon) showed hers mostly with crop tops. The queen won’t wear that and the chances are, neither should you, but you get my drift.

Wear sugary or strong colors. Go for something that looks deeply unfashionable and stands out. It’s a hard one this season, because everyone seems to have followed the queen’s lead (hence most colors that would have looked outmoded now appear to be the last word in style). Try Bottega Veneta’s deep purple or Chanel’s prawn-cocktail pink (pictured) for maximum standout.

If you must wear a print, make it a standout. A recent British Vogue pictorial survey of the queen’s sartorial year suggested the monarch wears prints roughly 13% of the time. And what prints they are. Think garden parties on acid. So, naturally think Christopher Kane or Marni (pictured).

White only for evening functions. OK, HM sometimes also wears a bit of ivory, but, generally speaking, keep it pale and work the older debutante look. I like what Valentino did this season—note the long sleeves. Very E II R. The queen would never do sheer, of course, but she might consider Louis Vuitton’s tweedy coat and silk/satin ¾-length dress combo for cocktails.

Black shoes, with EVERYTHING. Yes, even sometimes for the evening, the queen wears a sensible, slightly blocky heel and an oval or slightly squared toe. It works when you get your head round it, though some fashion commentators would tell you that black shortens the leg, especially when worn with a knee-length dress or skirt. But then the queen, like so many of us, requires a uniform, and shoes are almost always a punctuation mark, underlining what goes on top. Just buy black Louboutin “Pigalles” (pictured) or some Roger Vivier “Belles Viviers” and be done with it.

Sensible handbag (also black for day). Boxy, short-handled and discreet, the queen’s handbag is almost always the same shape—sometimes with a gold buckle or clasp, and sometimes in patent rather than what looks to be calfskin. Go for something English, like the bags of the newly crowned business woman of the year, Anya Hindmarch (try the “Carker,” pictured, or “Lautner”), or Mulberry’s “East West Bayswater.” At night, HM ventures into silver and gold; try Lulu Guinness’s gold, snakeskin “Fifi” clutch, or Hindmarch’s “Maud” clutch, created especially for the Diamond Jubilee, complete with a paper crown and instructions for queenly waving.

Always wear a color-coordinated hat. Nowhere is it more apparent that the queen commands the sort of style leeway that everyone else can only dream of than with HM’s hats. She has sported everything from fur, to turbans, to weird spaghetti and floral numbers—and, frankly, many of them have been hideous. No matter, because the queen is, in modern-day parlance, “rocking a regal look” and for that we will forgive her anything. You will not be afforded the same luxury. You could try Rachel Trevor-Morgan or Angela Kelly, two of the queen’s favorites, but really you should simply head to Philip Treacy (pictured), because he’s still the only milliner to whom one can totally entrust one’s headdress.

Wear a brooch, on the collarbone. The location is more important than the content; the queen switches from right to left, but she is rarely without one (if she’s being really snazzy, she clips it onto her collar). This is as far as the queen will go in terms of daytime “bling.” It’s a shame more of her subjects don’t follow her lead on this one. Brooches are best from S.J. Phillips (pictured), www.broochesstore.com, junk shops and your elderly relatives.

Red or pink lips, forever. A definitive beauty statement from which the queen rarely wavers. The red looks like a Helena Rubinstein and for the pink, which varies from sugary to fuchsia, I would try NARS or MAC (pictured)—but I bet HM wears Estée Lauder (pictured).

So what can you learn about your own sense of style from the Queen? Well, for starters if you find a style working for you, a style that people are actually commenting on and praising, you know you’re doing something right. If you’ve got a few close friends there is no harm asking for their feedback on your dress sense, or if you really want to take it to another level and make sure you’re dressing the best you can, a few sessions with an image consultant can make all the difference.

Top Toronto image consultant, Diane Craig, has helped everyone from politicians to leading executives. Contact her to see how she can help you discover your own sense of style.