Styling Tips From The PR World

Editors Note: This marks the first time I have had someone else pen a piece for FYGblog, but I suppose it has been a long time coming.  Anyway, a friend of mine put me in contact with Matt Flynn and Christopher M Vicini of James Grant PR because they were fans of FYGblog.  We got to talking and they wanted to offer some proper style advice to guys (and mind you, I agreed with most of what they said).  We decided to gear things toward event attendance.  Which is particularly appropriate given NY Fashion Week starts today.  Anyway, this is the first of two posts from them.  Enjoy Liberally.

Attending any PR event, whether it be a Fundraiser, Gala or just a social event you were invited to by a client, it’s important to dress your best and appropriately for the occasion. Each event requires a different wardrobe. Dressing suitably and with confidence is more than just wearing the latest fashion trend; it’s about feeling good about what you’re wearing, while looking poised and being self-assured in all situations. Something as simple as how you dress affects your attitude and self-confidence. If we change the way we dress the way we feel will change too. When we are dressed well and look good we automatically feel better. When we feel good we are more likely to perform at a higher level, have more energy, treat others nicer, and achieve more at work.

Know the Event You Are Attending: The day of a big work event while you are standing in front of your closet give some consideration to the occasion. What you wear should depend on the event. Whether you are going to a charity luncheon for the United Cerebral Palsy of NYC, a Sports Gala for the Mental Health Association of NYC, a business lunch with an important client or fashion event as a guest, what you wear should be tailored to that occasion.

Know Your Client: Your client is the person(s) with whom you are working for at an event. Dress to fit the image of the client, event, and organization in that role. You don’t expect to see bankers dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and farmers dressed in suits. When you are dressed out of your role your competence comes into question. When you dress to suit your role you feel more confident and perform better. For example, if I am attending an event where the environment is a room full of Upper East Side women for a Luncheon supporting the Women’s Forum of New York who are interested in donating to my cause, I am expected to dress to their level.  If I am dressed down not only will I feel uncomfortable but my client and guests will feel something is astray. People want to interact with people with whom they feel comfortable with or who they feel are like them. That means knowing what is expected in particular roles and dressing to fit that role.

Know Your Personal Style: Finally it’s important to know your personal style and understand that it’s expressed in everything you do. You want to dress for the kind of event you are attending while staying within your personal style and persona. When it comes to fashion your style is evident in the patterns and texture of fabrics you like to wear as well as your accent pieces such as jewelry, handbags and shoes, all are unique for each individual and event. When you are aware of your style and feel comfortable with it then you can express yourself with confidence. Consider which best suits you – Classic, Trendy, Sporty, Edgy? All occasions will not fit your personal image but if you know your style well enough you can make accommodations to fit the event you are attending appropriately. Follow these few important tips and you will find yourself filled with confidence, style, and uniqueness which will stand out amongst the crowds.

Matt Flynn and Christopher M Vicini are Senior Publicists at JGPR – James Grant Public Relations is one of New York’s top boutique PR firms specializing in strategic marketing for corporations and non-profits. They work as PR and marketing consultants to major companies and some of the world’s most prestigious non-profits. The company has clients in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Aix-en-Provence. They also oversee media and celebs for some of the most star-studded charity events and benefit galas in New York and Beverly Hills including Women Who Care, A Celebration of Hope Gala, The Elly Awards, A Tribute to Families Gala, The Women’s Media Awards and other major charity or corporate events.