Dress with Intention

Express Your Style with a Personality Pyramid

By SHARON WHITE | Illustrations by SARAH JO WHITE

Did you know that your face is the communication center of your body? The area from the top of your head to your shoulders can be considered “a personality pyramid.” And it’s the easiest place to create a focal point for your signature style.

Think about the events and activities you’re involved in every day: work, meetings, sitting at your computer, eating, socializing at cocktail hour. If most of us spend the majority of our time sitting down, doesn’t it make sense to pay attention to dressing and accessorizing from the shoulders up?

What if you are a student in class, having lunch with friends or speaking with co-workers at your desk? Others consistently view you at eye level, too.

Determine what you want to communicate with your appearance. This is called “dressing with intention.” Do you want to look authoritative, demure, sophisticated, alluring? Then dress accordingly.

Think “head first,” using makeup, hairstyles, accessories and color to communicate with others—without ever saying a word.

Style is all about combining clothing and accessories to create a one-of-a-kind look that completely defines the individual.

Decide what you want to communicate and experiment with your own personality pyramid. This pyramid is the area of your body that others will view the most.

Here, a boring work uniform can be transformed with a patterned scarf. And glasses can act as an accessory and completely change your look.

These statement earrings and a bare shoulder (no necklace needed) steal the show, for an alluring feminine look.

A sophisticated up-do, small earrings and a shimmering necklace add color, texture and shine to the classic little black dress.