When Image Gets In The Way

WOW! Six days later, and people are still buzzing about Jennifer Lopez's New Year's Eve catsuit outfit. That might be a good thing. All publicity is good publicity because the public is talking about you, right?

From an image perspective, her outfit didn't work. It distracted from her performance instead of enhancing it. As a viewer, you spend the whole performance wondering...is she naked?... is she wearing underwear?... is she wearing some concealing garment under the suit to cover all her private affairs? ...or is something going to pop out unexpectedly? You don't remember anything about the performance. What she said? What she sang? The dance steps? The other dancers? Her connection with the audience? Nothing.

Here's a video, if you want to watch it for yourself.

Your image can support you or get in your way. You might not be J-Lo, but what you wear effects other people's experience of you. No matter how fantastic you are, if your outfit is distracting in any way, people can't pay attention to you, what you say or what you contribute. Watch out for loud jewelry, loose threads, stains, lot's of busy patterns, revealing clothing, etc. Of course you shouldn't remove your personality from your image, just be sure that YOU shine through (figuratively, that is!).

Want more info about what works and what doesn't? Here's another example. Thanks for stopping by!