Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

An interesting question to be sure. As a women business owner, and even long before I had a business, I`ve often struggled with the question of how to dress. What`s interesting is that I was very much the ugly duckling who couldn`t get a date in high school, then went on to do some modeling (and still do a little sports modeling here and there). So I`ve spent part of my life living on each side of the attractiveness coin.

 

My biggest struggle with my looks came in my twenties when I took up a lot of extreme outdoor sports and started my first business. I had a very hard time balancing all of it because, while it may be easier to get what you want in some instances when you`re attractive, it can also make it harder to be seen as intelligent (or physically strong).

 

Although this is starting to change, in America pretty and smart have rarely been shown in the same package. There`s this undercurrent that if you`re pretty you`ve used that to get ahead instead of your brain.

 

 

As I approach the big 40 I`ve come to better terms with myself and learned to balance all my facets internally. Externally, I generally strive for a business look that`s attractive, modern and professional while still maintaining a touch of femininity. Although I`ve been a model and stay in great shape I choose not to use sex appeal overtly to help market my business. I don`t hide my assests but I don`t flaunt them either. Sure, sex sells. But the question is "what are you selling?"

 

According to marketing legend Dan Kennedy in his manual Big Mouth Big Money, men outsell women from the stage every time. And both sexes get more sales when they wear a suit because it conveys an aura of authority. Will women get even more sales if they’re attractive and sport a cleavage bearing shirt under their jacket??? I’m not so sure…

 

Stacy

 

Stacy Karacostas

Practical Marketing Expert

http://www.success-stream.com

 

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Stacy Karacostas
Practical Marketing Expert
Business Lifestyle Architect
2nd Place Winner in StartUp Nation`s 2008 100 Best Home Based Businesses Competition
http://theunchainedentrepreneur.com/

P.S. Tired of giving up your life to grow your business? Sick of suffering from Entrepreneurial Overwhelm & Marketing Madness? Discover insider secrets for making more and working less by downloading your copy of my F*R*E*E “Success without Shackles Starter Kit” at http://TheUnchainedEntrepreneur.com/

In my experience (even though I haven`t had much in terms of years), as a woman in the business world, sex appeal has its advantage and disadvantages. For one, you may get ahead because of your looks in the beginning, but it takes that much more work to prove to people, afterward, that you have more to offer.Unfortunately, in your chosen career field (television), looks have a major role.

Sex sells. However, personally, I would trust a woman news reporter that looks more experienced and distinguished before I took a younger, less experienced woman seriously. I completely agree with the counterquestion: "What are you selling?"

For women, the question of appearance has always been an issue. What to wear without looking too sexy, while not looking prudish or masculine. No matter what a woman wears, she is marked with a label. Prude. Flirt. Bitch. Maneater. All have negative tones in the business world. Just look at the negative feedback Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin got regarding their wardrobe choices and both are fairly attractive women. I think the best option for women, young or old, is to ignore those labels and to just take care of yourself and dress as appropriately and sharp as you can, while still feeling attractive (whatever that means for each woman). There`s really nothing else you can do. Afterall, as pointed out before, if you look good, you feel confident. If outward appearance is a struggle, then do your best with it and work on your other strengths. Personality can have a huge effect on whether a person is perceived as attractive and having the skills to sell your point or close a sale is just as confidence-boosting as a good hair day. Cleopatra and Elizabeth I weren`t actually that attractive in real life, but they still gained severe power by using their other assets.

It`s a fact that sex appeal has an effect on everyone, whether they want to admit it or not. Attractive people get more attention. You just have to figure out where your attractiveness comes from.

And yet another dimension: Fat.

I`m a fat guy, and I do my best to dress professionally, but I`ve certainly had job and business opportunities close up as soon as I`ve met a prospective client or employer in person.

The argument for an employer is that they may have to pay more for a sick employee (since we all know all fat people get sick much more often than thin ones), but it`s still quite disheartening. I`d rather employers post `no fat people` in their ads if they could, so I don`t have to go through the unpleasantness of getting a very interested email, going through a great telephone conversation, and then having a personal meeting stop dead in the water.

Short of losing the weight (I exercise every day, believe me), any ideas? I`m trying to do everything virtually so I don`t have to face prospects.

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GM, The Entrepreneur Community Network™
My Little Place on the Web

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Carolina
Italiano e` la piu` bella lingua nel mondo
http://www.lapiazzadicarolina.com

Please vote for me in the Leading Moms in Business Competition!

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GM, The Entrepreneur Community Network™
My Little Place on the Web

Your situation demonstrated my point exactly. You seem to be echoing the same point as well.

I don`t think sex appeal sells, appearance does. As you mentioned, many people noticed you based on what you were wearing. The comments you received were based on your clothing and appearance, which is a perfect example as to why appearance (and not necessarily sex appeal) is ever so important in business and commerce.


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Motivation for Entrepreneurs
Entre-Propel.com

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Monica Macha
Owner Drape Couture
One Drape-Twice the Style

I agree with both Matts. The confidence factor is huge and one doesn`t have to be beautiful to be attractive to others.
As a middle-aged business owner, I dress to look professional, rather than wear something that would distract from what I was trying to accomplish. Of course, I wouldn`t be caught dead without my lipstick and mascara.
I believe that we do respond more warmly toward attractive people, especially of the opposite sex.



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