Email to a FriendWe have some brilliant and really knowledgeable members at our WIBN groups. It's fantastic to benefit from their expertise and know-how about so many different topics.
This month we sat down with London City member Stefania Bartolomei to ask her "What to wear for networking meetings?"
Meet Stefania
Stefania is a London-based Italian style coach, founder of One of a Style, and she loves helping people boost and refine their image to enhance their success. She has a passion for fashion, an eye for detail and a great sense of fun. Stefania has worked her magic with everyone from business leaders and brides to new mums and mumpreneurs.
So, whether it's helping you decide which of your clothes are keepers, or taking you on the most enjoyable shopping trip you've ever had, Stefania works with her clients to build a wardrobe that's everyday fabulous.
Networking Style
Stefania says "As a business owner, I find that the best form of marketing is word of mouth and recommendations, so I attend regular networking events with fellow business owners to help me extend my network of contacts that I can recommend to clients, and in return, they may also recommend my services to their contacts too!".
In these meetings, there is a variety of professionals: some running their own business (from creative to more executive, digital and technical jobs) or more corporate roles, like lawyers and financial advisors. And although these meetings are not so formal, when attending you still want to make sure you look professional enough and that your style helps you give the right message, showing your authenticity, your ethos, your values, and, especially, helping attract the right clients!
Despite the diversity of roles and professions, there is one questions that everyone asked rhemselves many times before attending one of these networking meetings, which is: "what do I wear?"
Stefania's Top 3 Tips
Wear your best colours
Whether it is through clothing, accessories, make-up..they'll help you shine, effortlessly.
You don't need to wear a suit...
or black, in order to look professional. And especially if your job doesn't require a formal dresscode, you need to find your own way to come across as professional.
Wear something that makes you feel empowered
When you feel confident, you look confident, and this is a powerful combination to win people's trust. After all, your final aim is to make people buy from you.
Make your choice
So, when deciding what to wear to a networking meeting, you should consider a few questions, that will help you pick the right clothes and outfit:
What do I feel most confident in?
What message do I want to convey with my style?
And finally, don't underestimate the power of colour! From colours that will help you look radiant on the outside, to those which help you share the right message (I'm sure you've heard of the colour psychology!), the choice of the colours you wear has a deep impact on your performance, success and, of course, on your look!
Now these are generic and universal tips, but when working one on one with clients, we take into account their features, their role, their personality and their brand values, helping them develop a personal style that is aligned with their brand!
So, if you often find yourself staring at your wardrobe and asking "what should I wear?" Before networking meetings, please contact ONE OF A STYLE, Stefania and her team will help you get clarity, by exploring and developing your personal style.