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Mary Richards reportingOne popular advertising slogan says "image is nothing". But the opposite could be true. Image consultants say if you want to get anywhere in this world, you have to pay attention to your appearance.
When it comes to getting a job, getting promoted, getting a date or getting married, image matters.
"The way you look affects the way you think, feel, and act, and the way others respond to you," says Judith Rasband, of the Conselle Institute of Image Management.
Rasband says with image management "you have to know why, what, when, where and how" image matters. She says if you are meeting the new boss, dress with straight lines and a straight collar.
"It's coming to communicate with the straight lines stability, and the angular shapes of the collars will communicate action."
Rasband says hairstyle means a lot. The spikiness in some hairstyles communicates that the mind is going in all directions like the hair. Image consultant Connie Judge says you can do your own thing on your own time.
Connie Judge "I'm not out to make Barbies and Kens, I'm trying to bring out what's best in you and in some cases, you might need to alter your own brand to accompany what a company wants you to have when you are representing them."
Judge is consulting a restaurant owner about the image of his restaurants.
"Image is important to everybody," she says.
Rasband says the popular, feminine styles of clothing will keep women from advancing in the workplace.
Judith Rasband "The fru-fru; we are giving away our visual authority."
She says everyone in America needs to work on image.
Judith Rasband "We are looking at a casualization of everything in America, language manners morals and dress, and we need to shape up, America!"
