Mastering Conference Packing: The Empowered Guide to Versatility, Confident Choices, and Stress-Free Travel

Are you a woman in leadership gearing up for an important conference? It's time to show up authentically, with a wardrobe that reflects your unique style and empowers you to make a lasting impression. Here I’ll guide you through the process of packing for a conference, focusing on versatile choices, confident decision-making, stress-free travel… AND avoiding the last-minute panic! Get ready to unleash your power and embrace authenticity as you navigate the conference scene.

Stick to Two Colors for Versatility:

To maximize the versatility of your conference wardrobe, start by choosing two core colors that resonate with your personal style. Consider empowering tones like teal, burgundy, hunter green, or even prints that reflect your unique personality. These colors will serve as the foundation for your outfits, allowing you to create a cohesive and impactful look. To complement your chosen tones, it's also helpful to incorporate neutral shades like navy, blush, or camel. These neutrals can easily mix and match with your empowering colors, giving you endless possibilities for creating stylish and confident ensembles. By sticking to a cohesive color palette, you'll not only simplify your packing process but also have a wide range of outfit combinations at your fingertips, ensuring that you always look and feel your best throughout the conference.

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! An image coach for high acheiving women helping your style match your success. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

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Layer Layer Layer

it's important to be prepared for varying temperatures, especially with those chilly conference venues and their relentless air conditioning. To stay comfortable and adaptable, make sure to include a selection of layering pieces in your suitcase. Lightweight cardigans, a moto jacket or a wrap are fantastic options that can be effortlessly added or removed as needed. Not only will they provide an extra layer of warmth, but they also add a touch of style to your outfits

Start With The Shoes

As a driven woman comfort is non-negotiable, especially when you're on your feet for long hours. Begin packing by selecting comfortable yet polished shoes that will keep you looking and feeling confident throughout the event, since they will take up the most space in your bag as well.  Think about every situation you’ll be in when deciding.  And remember a great shoe can be the perfect conversation starter.

Embrace Accessoires

Accessories can elevate your conference outfits and add a personal touch. Select a few statement pieces like a bold necklace, elegant scarf, or tasteful earrings that complement your chosen color palette. Don't forget a structured handbag or tote to hold your essentials and documents in style.

Avoid Panic Shopping and Panic Packing

Panic shopping and packing often lead to hasty choices and items that may not serve you well in the long run. Instead, plan your outfits in advance and try them on to ensure they fit well and make you feel confident. Stick to your chosen color scheme and mix and match your pieces to create various looks. Remember, quality choices over quantity will serve you best.

Traveling with Confidence

As a woman in leadership, you may find yourself in male-dominated spaces. Embrace your unique identity and approach each conference with agency, self-trust, and self-reliance. Allow your wardrobe choices to amplify your message and assert your presence. Pack essentials like comfortable yet stylish shoes that can withstand long days, and don't forget to carry yourself with the knowledge that you deserve to be seen and heard.

Always remember a conference is an opportunity to express your authentic self and make empowered choices. Your clothes shouldn't define you, but they can enhance your confidence and help you make a lasting impact. Embrace the joy of dressing, trust yourself to make empowered choices, and let your style reflect the driven and highly-intelligent woman you are. Now, go out there as you conquer the conference with authenticity and flair!

Ready to stop panicking at every invite… whether it’s a conference or a dinner with friends?

It’s time to replace bad habits with smart wardrobe decisions and have guide a style that reflects your true self. If so, I have a special invitation for you! 

I’m looking for 3 women who want to demystify getting dressed and understand exactly which colors, shapes, styles, and proportions are best for you using the clothes in your closet - all in the next 30-60 days.

If that sounds like you, message me over on instagram (@melanielippman) by clicking HERE with the word EMPOWERED and I'll share the details on how to get started. 

If you find getting dressed to be a challenge and often feel like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, go grab my FREE guide

5 OUTFIT MISTAKES KEEPING YOU FEELING FRUMPY & FRUSTRATED

AND EXACTLY HOW TO SOLVE THEM SO YOUR STYLE MATCHES YOUR SUCCESS

(WITHOUT NEEDING TO LOSE LBS)

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

— Quote Source

Style Myths Busted: Unleashing the Power of White in Professional Fashion

Everything you've been told about wearing white is WRONG!

Okay, let's set the record straight about wearing white. All those myths and misconceptions? Total nonsense. It's time to break free from the fashion industry's tricks and embrace the beauty of white this summer.

FASHION MYTH: WHITE MAKES YOU LOOK BIGGER

Oh boy, have we been fed this lie for ages... white makes you look larger, dark colors are slimming... so don't wear white, white show every lump and bump, so avoid it all costs!

Those magazines we read when we were teenagers were only giving us half of the truth, but have shaped how we wear or don't wear white our whole lives. But let me tell you, that's only half the story.

Here's the whole truth:

DARK COLORS RECEDE AND LIGHT COLORS ADVANCE 
Light-colored clothing will draw the eye and stand out, making the area it’s covering appear prominent and larger.

How to make that fact work for you:

If you're worried about a specific area, don't pair white with a darker color there. Instead, opt for lighter shades that blend seamlessly. By creating a cohesive, balanced look, you won't draw unnecessary attention to any particular spot. It's all about finding the right balance and playing with complementary tones.

Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas to help you rock white without highlighting specific areas:

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! An image coach for high acheiving women helping your style match your success. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

------------

WEAR WHITE WITH A BLAZER THAT HAS SOME WHITE

In order to create that continuous column of white in an outfit, wear a blazer that has white in it paired with white pants. This way the eye will see only light colors and notice the complete look.

GO FOR AN ALL-WHITE ENSEMBLE

Embrace the monochromatic magic and wear white from head to toe. Trust me, it's a statement that oozes confidence and style. A jumpsuit the the perfect way to achieve this look. Check out a few here:

FASHION MYTH: WHITE IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR PROSFESSIONAL SETTINGS

We've been conditioned to believe that white is reserved for casual occasions or that it's too risky for the workplace. Being given all sorts of reasons why we shouldn't wear white… everything from it gets dirty easily, it can be see-through, and specific times of year that white is inappropriate.

While white is a little high maintenance, the risk of wearing white often doesn’t outweigh the reward.

Here's the whole truth:

One of the most powerful aspects of wearing white is the aura of confidence it exudes. There's something undeniably striking about a woman who confidently rocks an all-white ensemble. It commands attention and radiates a sense of poise and self-assurance. So, embrace the power of white, own your unique style, and step into any room with your head held high.

White, a color often associated with purity, clarity, and neutrality, carries a powerful symbolism that transcends mere fashion. Let’s not forget when Hillary Clinton stepped onto the stage of the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Draped in a white pantsuit, she made a powerful statement, representing unity, hope, and the breaking of barriers. Clinton's choice to wear white echoed the suffragettes of the early 20th century, using white as a symbol of their fight for women's rights and the right to vote.

Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas to help you wear white professionally sending messages of confidence, clarity, and neutrality:

ATTENTION TO TAILORING:

Pay attention to the fit, tailoring, and finishing of your white garments. A well-fitted white dress or a perfectly tailored white blazer can make a world of difference, exuding professionalism and attention to detail. A well tailored blazer is a great addition to your professional wardrobe:

PLAY WITH TEXTURE:

Incorporate textured white fabrics like lace, eyelet, or tweed to add depth and visual interest to your outfit. Textures can elevate the sophistication level and create a refined and polished appearance.

So, my fellow power players, let's challenge the notion that white is off-limits in professional settings. Embrace the power of white and unleash your unique style with confidence. Make a bold statement, stand out from the crowd, and show the world that professionalism and individuality can go hand in hand.

Are you ready to make power moves with white? Let's redefine what it means to be a trailblazer in the workplace. Step into your office with style, confidence, and the power of white on your side. Your presence will be unforgettable, and your career will thank you for it!

If you find getting dressed to be a challenge and often feel like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, go grab my FREE guide

5 OUTFIT MISTAKES KEEPING YOU FEELING FRUMPY & FRUSTRATED

AND EXACTLY HOW TO SOLVE THEM SO YOUR STYLE MATCHES YOUR SUCCESS

(WITHOUT NEEDING TO LOSE LBS)

How to Dress Business Casual in the Summer

What exactly is business casual?

A common reason that someone comes to work with me is because they are struggling to feel polished when not wearing a suit and feel a little too casual in their day to day.

Which is completely understandable because there is no clear definition of what business casual dress is…

Business casual is typically defined as no jeans, no shorts, no short dresses or skirts for women, optional ties for men, and a rotation of button-downs or blouses.

Business casual dressing is more about avoiding a list of "don'ts" than following a list of "dos" and can vary slightly depending on style, preference, and who you are meeting with that day.

The lack of clarity around this leaves women that like following rules and never want to be caught off guard feeling unsettled spending a lot of time attempting to figure out what to wear.

Instead of a list of don'ts, here are a few business casual ideas for summer.

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! An image coach for high acheiving women helping your style match your success. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

------------

JUMPSUITS

Jumpsuits are perfect for business casual, just like the one my client Melissa wore for her photoshoot. They have a little more personality than a suit and you can remove the blazer if you going out after work.

TO THE KNEE SKIRTS

While the length and tightness may vary depending on your practice area, skirts that reach about knee-length (or below) are always safe. In terms of color, business casual doesn't have too many restrictions... so have fun with color!

SHORTS SUITS

There’s a little controversy with this one, but I love them! Shorts suit were spotted last year and are back again in a big way! All I can say is know you audience and what makes you feel confident, because in order to pull this one off you need to OWN THE LOOK! A great place to try out a short suit is at a retreat or a women’s conference.

COLORFUL PANTS

Colorful pants are the perfect way to add interest to an outfit and a business casual setting the perfect time to try them. I suggest buying a pair that has a color you have in a few printed tops so you are not just wearing them with a black top and calling that an outfit.

As with everything when it comes to getting dressed, there are so many options out there that it can often feel overwhelming and intimidating. Instead of feeling like there are too many options and just stick with your not very exciting outfits… I encourage you to pick one of the above and give it a try! Let me know which you are going to try by sending me a message over on instagram by clicking here.

If you find getting dressed to be a challenge and often feel like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, go grab my FREE guide

5 OUTFIT MISTAKES KEEPING YOU FEELING FRUMPY & FRUSTRATED

AND EXACTLY HOW TO SOLVE THEM SO YOUR STYLE MATCHES YOUR SUCCESS

(WITHOUT NEEDING TO LOSE LBS)

How to trade in your skinny jeans for straight leg jeans

I know that you've heard a time or two that skinny jeans are no longer in-style. If you've been around me for any amount of time, you know I'm not one a fan of being a trend victim and to always wear what's suited for you.

That being said.... skinny jeans are not flattering on a lot of women.

But a lot of women have kept wearing them, because they knew how to wear them.

May I introduce Mom Jeans...  Mom jeans are typically straight-leg, high waisted jeans, and often a light or mid wash color.

A big outfit struggle I hear when introducing a new jean style is which shoe to wear with the jean. Here’s a breakdown of what shoes work well with mom jeans.

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! An image coach for high acheiving women helping your style match your success. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

------------

SHOES WITH STRAIGHT JEANS: LOAFERS

 I love my loafer mules – they’re a super versatile pair of shoes that you can wear for work, everyday, church, date night, or anything. You can choose a pair of loafers that aren’t slip-on, but mom jeans and straight leg jeans absolutely work with any style of loafers.

SHOES WITH STRAIGHT LEG JEANS: LOW CUT SNEAKERS

Sneakers are great choice to wear with mom jeans! Choose ones that are low cut and slim to help elongate your leg line and show some ankle.

SHOES WITH STRAIGHT LEG JEANS: FLAT SANDALS

Of course, flat sandals work with everything! They’re a great choice with mom jeans or straight leg jeans during the spring and summer when it’s hot. Just skip the flip flops and choose a pair of sandals that are a little nicer.

SHOES WITH STRAIGHT JEANS: HEELED SANDALS

You can absolutely dress up your mom and straight leg jeans! Just throw on a blouse and some block heel sandals for a chic and semi-dressed up feel.

Shoes are often an often an afterthought, but typically one of the biggest reasons women struggle to get dressed each morning. They also play a crucial role in completing your overall look and can greatly impact your comfort and confidence throughout the day.

If you find getting dressed to be a challenge and often feel like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, go grab my FREE guide

5 OUTFIT MISTAKES KEEPING YOU FEELING FRUMPY & FRUSTRATED

AND EXACTLY HOW TO SOLVE THEM SO YOUR STYLE MATCHES YOUR SUCCESS

(WITHOUT NEEDING TO LOSE LBS)

Using your Personal Style as a Tool

I often speak about the power of using your personal style and developing a signature style brand to engage and develop trust. I give examples of iconic women that we would know who they are without even seeing their faces… women like Jackie O, Kate Middleton, and Michelle Obama.

Of course these women have and have had access to experts, stylists, designers, and aren’t limited by much of a budget; but they have more than that. The realized that fashion is more than the clothes they put on their body… they use clothing as a strategic tool!

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! A personal stylist and confidence coach for high achieving women. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

------------

The Clothes We Wear Sends Signals

Your clothing sends out all sorts of messages and you want to make sure those messages are aligned with who you are & your goals! The colors, structure, and patterns of your clothes send messages about your personality and your overall tone.

Let’s use another female in politics as an example… or at least on TV … If you think of Robin Wright's character on House of Cards, Claire Underwood.. her style was a main character on the show. When the show first started out, prior to her husband being in the White House, she could be found in understated looks that wasn’t too flashy. But when Claire began her official duties as first lady, the clothing choices began to shift. She started wearing clothes that were very tailored and structured…. signaling that she is very confident and always [seemed] to be in control of herself. She also stopped wearing muted tones and wore jade green and burgundy.

In the show’s final season, Claire in full Madam President mode, stepped out in sharp dress suits befitting the most powerful person in the world. The buttoned-up, stretchy wool-crepe attire often embraces an appropriate presidential blue conveying the seriousness of a military commander ready for war. It’s a stark contrast to Claire’s early days of playing the supporting role to her power-hungry husband Francis Underwood

How Can You Start Using Your Clothes as a Tool? 

The great thing about our clothes is that they can easily be changed to either align with your brand and enhance your message, but where do you start? Well like most things… the first step is to realize that clothes are in-fact powerful and need to treated that way. You must stop throwing on random outfits without giving them much thought… and start dressing with some strategy!

Over the next few weeks I am going to break down the all of the messages that your clothes are or not sending.

It’s your turn…. Which iconic woman’s style do you love ??? Let me know by emailing me here and I help you incorporate the look into your wardrobe

If you'd like personalized, one on one help stepping out of style OVERWHELM and into your power AND ready  get to your next level... I’m inviting you to book a call with me to discuss whether my signature program, Brand Yourself with Style, is a fit for you.

Book your call now!

You’ll have 30 minutes of my undivided attention… This will be the BEST time you have EVER spent on yourself and your business.

If you feel like this is the right opportunity for you, click here, and book a call to go over your goals.

I'll walk you through the quickest and easiest way to achieve them through  Brand Yourself with Style.

Curious about how a personal stylist can help you? Let's Chat about it. 

On our call we will discuss what's holding you back from being excited about getting dressed and showing up as the leader you were born to be.  We'll discuss your personal challenges and talk about easy solutions.

Attracting Your Ideal Client through Personal Style Branding

Last week I wrote to you about why it's more important then ever to get dressed, since you are marketing yourself on social media.   

 In just 3 seconds someone decides whether they’re going to stick around to engage with you OR take off and never come back. 

If you missed this you can check it out here.

Now that we’ve established that you want to dress to command attention, How exactly do you accomplish that?

I'm so happy you asked…

 By creating a connection with your audience that immediately develops know, like, and trust through you own personal brand style.  I know what you maybe thinking… ugghhh… I don't know what my style is nor do I have the time to figure it out! 

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! A personal stylist and confidence coach for high achieving women. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

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1.  Defining your personal brand style in a way that makes you instantly recognizable, memorable and seen as a leader, someone to listen to, someone with natural authority.  

2. Developing your style is EASY… yup,  as easy as 3 words! 

And by doing this, you’re going to know exactly what to wear and what not to wear regardless of the occasion…

 I work with my clients to develop a 3-word personal style statement to guide them in selecting clothes and accessories and making choices about their appearance. 

You’re going to want to choose 3 words that support your brand and feel like you.

My style is friendly, polished, and fashion forward.  Which means that everything I wear has all 3 of these qualities. And you’ll notice that my website and social media has these qualities too.

It really does make shopping and dressing a whole lot easier, guiding your everyday choices so you can show up in a way that supports your message and reaffirms your status as a leader, a messenger, and perhaps even an icon.

Ideally you want at least one word that creates distinction. You don’t want all 3 words to have the same tone and texture or it doesn’t make for a distinct style.

Once you get the hang of your 3-word style statement, you’ll know what to wear for your photo shoot or on your next video.

One caveat here, make sure your style statement complements your business and your core personal attributes.

For example, if you’re an Attorney  for Fortune 500 companies, a style statement that’s outrageous, flirty, grunge may undermine your credibility or at least raise a few eyebrows.

So now let’s talk about you. Here’s a list of fashion and style words. Choose 3 that really express you!

Your personal style must make you instantly recognizable, memorable and seen as a leader, someone to listen to, someone with natural authority.

If you'd like personalized, one on one help stepping out of style OVERWHELM and into your power AND ready  get to your next level... I’m inviting you to book a call with me to discuss whether my signature program, Brand Yourself with Style, is a fit for you.

Book your call now!

You’ll have 30 minutes of my undivided attention… This will be the BEST time you have EVER spent on yourself and your business.

If you feel like this is the right opportunity for you, click here, and book a call to go over your goals.

I'll walk you through the quickest and easiest way to achieve them through  Brand Yourself with Style.

Curious about how a personal stylist can help you? Let's Chat about it. 

On our call we will discuss what's holding you back from being excited about getting dressed and showing up as the leader you were born to be.  We'll discuss your personal challenges and talk about easy solutions.

Is Getting Dressed More Important Now That You Are Working From Home?

I've been having loads of conversations about work from home outfits and been asked many times if getting dressed really matter any more. My answer is NOW more than EVER, especially if you are client facing or looking to expand your network!

Is what you wear more important now that we are working from home?

People decide within 5 seconds of meeting you if they are going to do business with you! This research shows that our brains are hard-wired to decide within 3-7 seconds of meeting, visiting your website, watching those first seconds of video, or quick scroll of an Instagram feed what they think of you.

In just 3 seconds they decide whether they’re going to stick around to engage with you OR take off and never come back.

Missing that tiny window to catch someone’s eye can be critical for your biz!  That person could work for that fortune 500 client you’ve been wanting to sign, your next success story, a new collaborator that brings you 100 new contacts... you name it!   

You never know who is going to find you and where they’ll first encounter you, so it’s imperative to present a conscious and consistent face to the world, enabling you to transform first impressions into lasting relationships and that all starts with looking the part.

Welcome!

I'm Melanie! A personal stylist and confidence coach for high achieving women. 

Here on the blog, I write about style tips, personal branding, outfit creation, and how to use your wardrobe to get noticed. 
Let me know if there's any way I can help you!

------------

Making those 3 seconds memorable by getting dressed

Many people put on clothes without much thought or throw together a sloppy website and think it’s okay because people are just going to recognize your brilliance through it all. Quick decisions based on limited information is the only way we have time to get anything done in this world.

The reality is — if you don’t look the part — if how you present yourself to the world doesn’t support your message and lend credibility to what you do, you’re dead in the water. No one’s going to trust you with their hard-earned money if you’re not sending signals that model your work and the transformation you promise.

So why do we all go around expecting other people will treat us differently, expecting other people will automatically get how important our message is and just see us for who we are, regardless of whether we’ve taken the time to really put ourselves out there in a way that commands their attention… to dress the part.

Your personal style must make you instantly recognizable, memorable and seen as a leader, someone to listen to, someone with natural authority.

If you'd like personalized, one on one help stepping out of style OVERWHELM and into your power AND ready  get to your next level... I’m inviting you to book a call with me to discuss whether my signature program, Brand Yourself with Style, is a fit for you.

Book your call now!

You’ll have 30 minutes of my undivided attention… This will be the BEST time you have EVER spent on yourself and your business.

If you feel like this is the right opportunity for you, click here, and book a call to go over your goals.

I'll walk you through the quickest and easiest way to achieve them through  Brand Yourself with Style.

Curious about how a personal stylist can help you? Let's Chat about it. 

On our call we will discuss what's holding you back from being excited about getting dressed and showing up as the leader you were born to be.  We'll discuss your personal challenges and talk about easy solutions.