Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with clients who seek to enhance their “executive presence.” That is, the qualities and behaviors that convey confidence, competence, and authority. One key aspect of presence is our appearance – the way we look, the way we dress, how we groom ourselves, how we accessorize, and the like.
With that in mind, I can tell you that walking into a clothing store, for me, is an agonizing, anxiety-inducing experience. With racks upon racks of options, I find it dizzying to figure out what will look good on me. Lucky for me, my struggles are long gone thanks to Style Coach DeVione Branscumb of Style v. Fashion. DeVione helped me overcome that overwhelming feeling and cultivate a wardrobe that accentuates my natural features and personal taste. Her process starts with three key assessments to really understand her clients:
- Body Type. The first assessment is determining your body type – hourglass, triangle, inverted triangle, round or square. DeVione measured my shoulders, waist, and hips to identify that I’m an hourglass shape. With that information, she guided me toward styles that flatter my curves like wrap dresses and tailored blazers that nip in at the waist.
- Style Personality. Next is uncovering your style personality. There are types like classic, romantic, dramatic, relaxed, creative, and rebellious. I learned that while I lead with a classic style sensibility, I like to blend in touches of romantic (think flowy fabrics and embellished details) and dramatic (bold makeup like a red lip). Having this insight means I can hone in on pieces that align with who I am.
- Coloring. The final assessment considers your coloring – your skin’s undertones of cool, warm, or neutral and your overall shade from fair to deep. For me, DeVione determined I have a neutral undertone and a light complexion. This ensures she recommends flattering color palettes like rich jewel tones.
Armed with all these personalized insights about my body, personality, and coloring, DeVione was able to help me craft a wardrobe that makes me feel confident and true to myself. Her advice is to have a closet with an 80/20 mix – 80% everyday staple pieces and 20% unique statement pieces for special occasions like a red cocktail dress. (Watch this fun interview that DeVione and I recorded about our work together to see the fabulous “little red dress” and gold and black belted jumpsuit she selected for me! Pieces I love, but would never have chosen for myself prior to style coaching…)
On a practical level, having a Style Coach like DeVione ensures I make smart purchases of versatile items that I’ll actually wear. But it goes beyond that. Understanding the “why” behind her recommendations has been profound on an emotional level. Getting dressed is no longer a chore, but a form of self-expression. I feel confident and beautiful in ways I had not previously that have helped me to accentuate my executive presence.
As DeVione’s company name, “Style v. Fashion,” states, this work isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about cultivating a personal style that lasts. With her guidance, I’ve learned to dress for my authentic self rather than for the fashion of the moment. And that’s giving me more confidence than any trend ever could.
Happy Networking!