Connie Matthews, The Stylish Director, Personal Stylist, Brisbane Australia

GUEST BLOGGER: Elizabeth Campbell, The Word Stylist, Brisbane Australia

Ever since I was a little girl I have always loved everything about fashion and beauty. Some things I got right and some things I got so horribly wrong!

Like the time I dyed my hair black and wore that really dark red-brown lipstick that was cool in the late nineties. I remember my boss at the jewellery shop telling me I looked pale and sick.

I have dark brown hair but stark black was way too harsh for me.

Thanks boss!

Elizabeth Campbell The Word Stylist

It was from this point on that fashion and work became a priority for me. This is when I started to really be aware of the impression I was giving and what that meant for my career.

It also helped that my Mum worked in corporate and the government and was able to give me advice on what to wear to work … and, of course, what not to wear.

Like the time I wanted to wear a hot pink sleeveless top to a job interview with said government. I was about 20 and I’d gone shopping to find the perfect outfit for this interview.

That’s when I saw it … this gorgeous pink, shiny, skin-tight top – and I fell in love with it.

Of course, it was perfect for lunch with the girls or … clubbing. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I bought it and rang Mum to share my shopping purchase.

“Well, that’s lovely darling, but I don’t think it’s going to be appropriate for an interview for a government job.”

Oh. OK.

Avoid feeling like this – have Connie Matthews, Personal Stylist, get your clothing choices right.

Now Mum had a very successful career within the Queensland government and her fashion sense is impeccable, but especially when it came to her career. She wore power suits and heels, and she looked professional every single day.

So I took on her advice and I returned the top.

But I would never have felt comfortable in wearing it after she gave me that feedback.

Honestly, it pays to take on advice from those who have gone before or do this stuff for a living. I’m actually catching up with Connie for a styling session this month. First impressions are that important to me and my business.

So anyhow, I ended up wearing a black skirt, white top, orange jacket and scarf around my neck. And I felt so much more confident in walking into that interview. I pushed my shoulders back and off I went.

I made it to the final two vying for the position but missed out on the position.

It was from that moment I vowed always to enlist help when I needed it and always dress for the occasion. I often overdress. I would prefer to be overdressed than underdressed and be remembered for looking stunning.

I even had a personal styling session with the Westfield Insider Alyce Cowell. She made me try on all sorts of weird and wonderful things and you know what? They suited me and my shape, must to my protest!

My best advice would to look to those who are give a great first impression every time.

About the author

Award-winning journalist and editor Elizabeth Campbell spent more than 15 years in the media telling people’s stories and mentoring up-and-coming writers.

Ever since she was a little girl, Elizabeth has always loved everything that happens at the intersection of writing and beauty. When she was 4, she’d already penned her first book and by 14 was a published journalist.

Today, Elizabeth is The Word Stylist and Amazon best-selling author of the book WOW Words on the Web and the upcoming book The Divorce Diary. She is the founder of EC Writing Services and helps small businesses look good online through words. Elizabeth also teaches small business owners the art of blogging, speaks on the topic and runs the Business Styling networking group.

www.elizabethcampbell.com.au

EC Writing Services

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For me, Connie Matthews, working with Elizabeth Campbell is so much fun. I often say: what do you get when you cross a Word Stylist with a Personal Stylist? BLOG.

Seriously…I do have the absolute pleasure of styling and working with so many great woman.

And, one of the things we all enjoy is a little ‘retail therapy’. So why not join us on a ‘Hands on’ Shopping Experience with 10 Dynamic Women to learn more about Your Style. Click here to book!

It all starts with the way you feel about yourself.

Let’s have some fun Styling You.

Connie Matthews The Stylish Director and Personal Stylist