top ten image killers by aaron marino

Top 10 Image Killers

… and How To Fix Them!

by Aaron Marino

alpha m. Image Consulting LLC copyright 2006 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..........................................................................1

Let’s do a little test:..................................................................4

Top Ten Image Killers ...............................................................7

Image Killer #1 Dressing Your Age.......................................7

Image Killer #2 Ill Fitting Clothing .......................................8

Image Killer #3 Pleated/Cuffed Pants .................................9

Image Killer #4 Wrong Pant Length ...................................10

Image Killer #5 Tapered/Out Dated Jeans.........................11

Image Killer #6 Floral Print Shirts ......................................12

Image Killer #7 Bad Shoes .................................................12

Image Killer #8 Sneakers with Everything .........................13

Image Killer #9 Belt and Shoe Mismatch ...........................14

Image Killer #10 Inappropriate Dress ................................15

Out the Door Checklist ...........................................................16

Points of analysis: ...............................................................19

Shoes: .............................................................................19


Pants: .............................................................................19

Belt: ................................................................................20

Shirt: ...............................................................................20

Tie (if you plan to wear one): .........................................20

Jacket or Sport coat (if you plan to wear one): ..............21

Nose: ..............................................................................21

Ears:................................................................................21

Face: ...............................................................................21

Head: ..............................................................................22

Teeth: .............................................................................22

Breath: ...........................................................................22

style Conclusion .....................................................................24


Now, unless you have been living under a rock or in

some remote village in the deep jungles of Brazil, you

have heard the phrase: “Image is everything”. Well let’s

be honest... it’s not everything, but it sure does mean a

lot in terms of you and your social (dating) and

professional (work) success.

I like to think of your image as all of the non-verbal cues

someone can see, touch, smell, or hear about you in the

first 10 seconds upon meeting you. If your image is

good, you are received well and people are going to be

drawn to you. You will be viewed as more attractive,

more trustworthy, more successful, more educated, and,

above all else, more competent. In the first ten seconds

upon meeting you, a potential partner has made up their

mind regarding your date-ability. The same thing goes

for an employer.

LET’S DO A LITTLE TEST: You are the boss and you have two candidates coming

in for job interviews. These men are competing for the

same job. On paper, the two men are virtually identical.

They both have a masters degree from an ivy league

school, they both graduated first in their class, they both


have over 10 years experience in the required field. The

interview is going to be the deciding factor with who you

hire.

Man “A” arrives 15 minutes prior to his scheduled

appointment; he greets you with a firm handshake and

smiles. His hair is well groomed and styled

(conservative, yet playful), his suit fits him like a glove

and is freshly pressed, the shirt is clean and crisp, and

his shoes are clean and polished. You notice a subtle,

yet pleasant smell, that is not offensive in any way. The

interview goes great!

Man “B” arrives 15 minutes prior to his appointment as

well. He greets you with a cold, wet, weak hand shake

and avoids eye contact. He is wearing an oversized shirt

that looks like it has never met an iron or dry cleaner, his

tie is sloppily tied and a bit off center, his pants are

oversized and outdated and his hair is shaggy. The

interview goes fine… or does it?

The interview was over when man B walked in the room.

Gentlemen, this situation plays out in social situations,

as well. You may be the most charming and caring man

in the room, but if you are not bringing your “A” game to


the table, you may never get the chance to prove you

are the one, and some better dressed schmuck is now

with your soul mate!

Let me now take the time to outline the top 10 issues I

see on a daily basis. We will identify the problems, and

also give you "easy to follow and easy to apply

solutions" in an attempt to prevent you from committing

these all too common fashion faux pas.


TOP TEN IMAGE KILLERS

IMAGE KILLER #1 DRESSING YOUR AGE

One of the biggest mistakes a man can make, in an

attempt to be fashionable and cool, is dressing younger

than he is. Nothing is more obvious or embarrassing

than a man in his 40s or 50s who dresses like he is 20. It

may be true that the clothes are indeed cool and

extremely stylish; however, if they are not age

appropriate you will just end up looking like a big cheese

ball.

The Solution:


While shopping in a particular store or shop, look

around. Are the other patrons dramatically younger than

you? Are the associates still in high school? If the

answer to these questions are yes, then more than likely

the clothes in that store are not for you. Paying attention

to these two simple rules will surely point you in the right

direction.

IMAGE KILLER #2 ILL FITTING CLOTHING

When I tell you that your clothes should fit you, most of

you may be thinking "duh". But, give me a chance to

explain. A lot of men are wearing clothing that is either

too large or too small for them. A common

misconception is that if you are a larger man, you should

buy larger shirts to minimize your weight. This couldn't

be farther from the truth. What happens is that in an

attempt to camouflage your weight, you only make

yourself look heavier and larger than you are. On the flip

side, some of you buy clothes that are smaller than you

actually are. Just because you can get the pants

buttoned doesn't mean they fit. You will look like a

sausage if you go out of the house!


The Solution:

If you currently buy shirts that are very loose fitting, go

down a size. You will be amazed at the amount of

compliments you'll receive, and inquiries asking if you

have lost weight. With pants, make sure you can get

your fingers comfortably in between you and your waist

band. This may require you to go up a size or two. Have

no fear, you aren't getting larger, you are now wearing

pants that fit.

IMAGE KILLER #3 PLEATED/CUFFED PANTS

Many men are guilty of these fashion no-no's. Most men

have a desire to look their best. If your best means you

want to look heavier than you are, then wear the pleats.

But, if you want to appear slimmer and taller, it may be

time to ditch the pleats. The goal is to create a nice

straight line from the waist down to your shoes. Anything

that breaks the visual line will detract from you looking

your best. Cuffs on your pants are nothing but extra


fabric that breaks the crisp clean line; ultimately giving

you the appearance of being shorter than you are.

The Solution:

Go and try on a nice pair of flat front non- cuffed pants.

You will be amazed at how much thinner and taller you

look. This simple change will dramatically enhance your

look and image.

IMAGE KILLER #4 WRONG PANT LENGTH

Many men are wearing pants that are either too short or

too long. Both of these are detrimental to your image.

Pants that are too short make you look like you are

wearing high waters, and, quite frankly, make you look

like a big dork. On the flip side, pants that are too long

will only cause them to bunch up at the shoe, creating an

illusion of being shorter and heavier than you are.

The Solution:

Pants should be long enough that they have a break in

them. The back of your pant leg should come down to


the middle or top of your heal. Remember, some pants

may be fine with some shoes and not with others. If you

wear boots, you may need a slightly longer pant then

you wear with dress shoes.

IMAGE KILLER #5 TAPERED/OUT DATED JEANS

Tapered jeans are not just out dated, but they are

hurting your image and style. A tapered leg doesn't allow

for your jean to fit over the top of your shoe. Instead you

have a gathering of fabric at the top of your foot, creating

a sloppy appearance.

The Solution:

If you aren't sure if your jeans are tapered or not, here is

an easy test. Take your jeans and lay them on your bed

face up. Take the bottom of the jean and fold the pant

leg, so that the bottom is lined up with where your knee

would be. If the bottom is less wide than the knee, they

are tapered, and new jeans should be on your to do list.

When looking for new jeans, you will notice there are a

few different cuts or styles to choose from. Look for

straight leg or boot cut jeans. The goal is to allow the


jean to fall over the top of your shoe, creating a nice

clean line from your waist to your feet. Bunching of fabric

will only make you look short and sloppy. Neither of

these are good looks for anyone.

IMAGE KILLER #6 FLORAL PRINT SHIRTS

Unless you are in the tropics or on a cruise, these shirts

are out of style. If you are in the tropics or on a cruise...

good for you and wear the shirts.

The Solution:

Choose shirts that are a solid color or a small pattern.

Don't buy something that you think is "cute" or "funny".

You won't look cute, but you will look funny.

IMAGE KILLER #7 BAD SHOES

Shoes are, in my opinion, the most important aspect of

an outfit. By choosing chunky or bulky shoes, you will

only look like a clown. Overly square toes (pilgrim) are

also a thing of style past. They were cool a few years


ago, but they are now taking a back seat to sleeker,

more stream lined shapes and trends. We should also

include shoes that are overly worn or scuffed as bad

shoes.

The Solution:

Take care of your shoes. Once a month, take the time to

polish your shoes, and make sure not to forget about the

heal. Spend the money on good quality shoes. If taken

care of, they will last you for years. Choose shoes that

are simple, yet stylish. Stay away from overly ornate

stitching, or overly dramatic shapes (square or pointed).

Remember, shoes should not draw attention to

themselves, but rather tie the package together. Stay

away from shoes that are ultra trendy, due to the fact

they will be out of style quickly.

IMAGE KILLER #8 SNEAKERS WITH EVERYTHING

Athletic shoes should be worn when exercising. They

are not your go to pair of shoes, suitable for every

activity and occasion.


The Solution:

Most of the time, men choose to wear sneakers due to a

lack of variety or depth of current foot wear. Spend the

time and money on buying a variety of shoes that are

appropriate for a variety of occasions. You need a pair to

be worn with shorts (non athletic), casual, and

professional.

IMAGE KILLER #9 BELT AND SHOE MISMATCH

Black shoes with a brown belt is the most obvious

mismatch; however, you need to also consider the style

of shoes and belt, as well.

The Solution:

Dress shoes require a dress belt. This means that if your

shoes have a shine, the belt should also have a similar

finish. Black is an easy color to match -- there is only

one black. Brown, however, is a bit trickier; there are 20

different shades of brown. When trying to pick a belt to

match your shoes, wear the shoes into the store. If you


try to just wing it from memory, you are bound to be

disappointed once you get home.

IMAGE KILLER #10 INAPPROPRIATE DRESS

Have you ever had the feeling that you are

underdressed for a specific event or occasion? We all

have had this happen at one time or another. This is one

of the most common blunders one can make.

The Solution:

Prior to attending any gathering or event, know what is

expected. One good way is to see what your wife is

wearing. Is she in jeans and a T-shirt? If not, then this is

a good indication you shouldn’t be either. Remember, it

is always better to be overdressed as opposed to

underdressed.

Remember to pay attention to minor details and you will

have a killer image… rather than an image that's

killing you!


OUT THE DOOR CHECKLIST

So, you are going out on the town. It may be a hot date

you have been working towards for months, or it may be

your wedding anniversary and you are surprising your

wife with a well planned night on the town. This night is

special for more than just one reason. You took extra


time and care while picking out what to wear. You put on

a bit more deodorant (not your typical single swipe

application), shoes were clean, hair styled extra well,

and you took greater care while shaving for that extra

smooth face you know she loves. You feel great, look

amazing and are confident that the night will be grand.

Chances are it will be great, and let me tell you part of

the reason why.

You are confident and this can't be denied or

overlooked. That lucky lady or guy you are out with feels

special and valued because they notice the subtle things

you did that took effort in order to impress them. This

scenario plays out time and time again in your life.

However, it plays out not only in relationships, but your

professional and social world, as well. This situation may

be a hot date or an anniversary, but it may also be a big

meeting or job interview.

In preparation for these situations, you, my friend, are

executing and implementing your best attempt at style

and personal packaging (your image). My question to

you is, if you feel this good and confident when you do


take that little bit of time to ensure a great package, why

don't you do this every day of your life?

Style and a great image don't come when you apply

yourself once, twice or even 3 times a month. Style and

image is an everyday/every event thing. In order to be

perceived as stylish and having a great image, one must

execute consistency. If you show a track record of

dressing like crap, this will be how people view you. It

doesn't matter that you looked sharp the day you met

with your client, or when you went out on that one date.

It is important to be consistent and not let your guard

down. Speaking of which... don't be tempted by the lure

of "casual Friday". Let all your peers fall victim, and

watch you move up the latter of success with mind

blowing speed.

Alright, so now that we have determined you need to pay

attention to details on a daily basis, what do we as men

need to do before we walk out the door, in order to

ensure we are bringing the best "you" to the table every

day? Look in the mirror -- a full length mirror. Most of us

use the mirror in our bathroom as the gage of our

togetherness. The mirror that only shows ourselves from


the chest up may not be painting the most accurate

picture. A full length mirror will allow you to view the

whole picture. Are your shoes scuffed? Is your fly open?

Is there a big stain on your shirt next to your belly

button? By standing back and taking it all in, you will be

able to see what the world sees.

Stand back, face forward, and start at your feet and work

up. Analyze your clothing choices independently of each

other and as a total package.

POINTS OF ANALYSIS:

SHOES:

o Are they clean?

o Are they scuffed?

o Are they worn out and old looking?

o Are they stylish?

PANTS:

o Are they long enough?

o Are they too long?


o Are they stained?

o Are they wrinkled?

o Do they fit?

o Is your fly zipped?

BELT:

o Does it match your shoes?

o Is it worn out and permanently marred by your inability

to maintain a consistent weight?

o Is the buckle lined up with your fly?

o Did you miss a belt loop?

SHIRT: o Is it clean? o Is it pressed? o Free of small holes? o Buttoned appropriately? o Fit well? o Out dated?

TIE (IF YOU PLAN TO WEAR ONE): o Long enough (stop at the middle of belt buckle)? o Short enough (stop at the middle of belt buckle)? o Free from stains? o Free of wrinkles? o Tied with a symmetrical and centered knot? o Stylish or out dated?


JACKET OR SPORT COAT (IF YOU PLAN TO WEAR ONE): o Is it wrinkled? o Is it too large? o Is it too small? o Does it fit you? o Does it match or compliment your outfit?

Now, it is time to move to your head and face, so move back to the mirror in the bathroom -- Hair (Nose, Ear, Face, Head).

NOSE: o Can you see any hair sticking out when you look forward? o Can you see hair when you turn to the side (both sides)? o Can you see hair when you tilt your head up? o If answer to any of these is yes, trim them.

EARS:

o Do you have hair that protrudes out of your ear (inside

and out)?

o If the answer is yes, trim with nose hair trimmers.

FACE:

o Did you shave today?

o Is there stray hair that you missed near your nose?

o If you wear facial hair, is it neatly trimmed?

o Ask yourself: would you kiss yourself?


o If the answer to the kissing question is no... take care

of the problem.

HEAD:

o Does your hair look good?

o If you don't have hair, are you cleanly shaven ?

o Are you overly gelled or sprayed?

o Are there any stray hairs sticking up that are out of

place?

Now let's talk about a very important aspect of your

image -- oral hygiene.

TEETH:

o Have you flossed?

o Have you brushed?

o Are your teeth stained and in need of a good bleaching

treatment?

o Have you used mouth wash?

BREATH:

o See above and if you have not taken care of the


above, get some gum or

mints and use them.


STYLE CONCLUSION

By paying attention to these key points on a daily basis,

prior to walking out the door, will help ensure that you

are ready to face the world... no matter what situation

you are in.

In style,

aaron marino

consulting services www.alphamimageconsulting.com

men’s accessories www.alpham.net

membership community www.iamalpham.com

stylesystem DVDs www.aaronmarino.com

top ten image killers by aaron marino

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