A lot has been said about the image of Hillary Clinton, and there are some recommendations I’d make if I were to meet with her. Color makes the difference. Hillary is a Summer in terms of a color category, so she looks best in bright cool colors, often called jewel tones. She doesn’t look her best grey-toned Winter colors or Autumn colors like brown and orange. Brown is a matronly color for most women, and it’s not a power color. Brown is Mother Earth, so it suggests baking cookies instead of changing the world. In addition, most women think that they should wear warm makeup in peach and tawny colors, including brown-toned  lipstick, when they wear brown. These colors are highly unflattering and not the least bit feminine.

Hillary’s best color, by far, is True Red – not burgundy, and definitely not orange-red. In the brown suit and orange-toned makeup, she looks harsh. In the beautiful red jacket, her makeup looks natural and is very flattering. Orange and red-orange wash Hillary out, as it does most fair-skinned people, and it also magnifies imperfections. Look at the photo below of Hillary in the bright orange suit and you’ll notice that when the background is blue, her advisors put her in orange. Now that’s a nice concept for decorating, but it’s a big price to pay when you WEAR orange, because if it weren’t for the blue background, Hillary would blend into her suit and look orange all over.  It’s far better for Hillary to wear blue rather than having it as a background. For one thing, it makes the face the focal point, not the background.

It’s an asset for a politician to look attractive, and Autumn colors like the moss green suit above make Hillary look weary and tired. They dull her complexion and her hair, and they make “marionette” lines pop out; but far worse, they dull her persona.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has adopted the pantsuit as part of her brand. Were we to meet, I would  show her how to wear a skirted suit successfully – just as Evita Person did. She had the same “sturdy” legs as Ms. Clinton. But when you do it right, all they remember is the impact you make with your overall feminine but powerful look. Next step for Hillary:  brand yourself with YOUR colors, all the beautiful jewel tones and their derivatives, plus black, white and  navy blue.

Actress Susan Strasburg recounted that she and Marilyn Monroe were walking on a busy street one day and she remarked to Marilyn that she was surprised that no one had recognized her. “Oh, you mean her,” Marilyn responded. Then she changed her body language, facial expression and walk, and within seconds everyone was clamoring to meet her and get her autograph.

When you have supreme confidence your attitude and demeanor is not the same as that of a person who is insecure deep down inside. Norma Jean Baker, Marilyn’s real name, suffered from insecurities most of her life, and it is only when she slipped into the persona of Marilyn Monroe that her attitude and demeanor changed.

Marilyn Monroe’s fans were drawn to the sexy film star, but part of her charm was the innocence and naiveté she always exuded. Obviously, her fans didn’t recognize her unless she had her pouty lips, come-hither eyes and slinky walk. That’s branding. When Marilyn didn’t represent her public brand, she wasn’t “Marilyn” to passers-by.

I learned when I was 17 years old and got The Red Dress that when you change the way you are on the outside, people treat you differently. Then you change on the inside. However, when the “new you” isn’t authentic, then there’s a disconnect; and the confidence is only outward – not inward. You must transform you image as well as your attitude about yourself.

Most of my clients are business professionals, authors and speakers – not film stars. A total image transformation can’t make them an expert overnight, so it can’t make them a success overnight. What it will do is keep an outdated or poor-quality image from lowering their credibility dramatically.

Ideally, your image needs to match the caliber of your products and services, and the sad truth is, the image of most people doesn’t keep up with their résumé. Your image needs to be so dynamic that heads literally turn when you enter a room!

Note: We Transform Image and Attitude® at The Image Architect®

Katie, red’s a good color but color’s only half the wardrobe battle.  Line is at least as important.  This ensemble boxes you in with the masculine lines of the jacket and the “stiff”, all-buttoned-up lines of the blouse.  Even the ruffle is squared off–a masculine look–rather than soft and curvy.  The combination’s also in clear contradiction with the softness of your pearl drop earrings.

Women appear more powerful and dynamic when they honor, not defy, their femininity.

Take the edge off, Katie.  It’s a distraction from the dynamic woman behind the suit.

Readers, care to comment?

Nice green as we enjoy the start of a new season, Katie.  This color looks beautiful on you and the silver chain is a nice complement.  I like the lines of this jacket, too; the collar frames your face nicely.

As always, bolder earrings and lipstick would really pull your look together.  Chunky jewelry really is okay to wear, even as petite-looking as you are.  The right pieces will keep our attention on your face, where it should be.

Katie, now that’s a great suit. The details on the collar are beautiful and the tailoring is superb. Love the colors, also; blue and brown together are wonderful.

I’m glad to see you’re wearing bolder earrings, and I noticed your hair is getting a little longer. I do hope you will let it grow out–I loved your chin-length hairdo.

This handsome rock group cleaned up beautifully–both at and for the 52nd Grammy Awards–but they look a little gloomy for just having won Record of the Year.  It’s all that grey and black.  Nice suits, but no bold contrast, no dynamic colors to enhance their natural skin tones–though I will say that the man on the left is a step ahead with his French blue shirt.

A complimentary raspberry, royal blue or even bold yellow in the ties would have added some pop to these rockers.  Replacing the shirt in the tie-less black-on-black ensemble with yellow would have done the trick for that gentleman.

Gentlemen, when it comes to your own individual good looks, each one of you has “got it.”  Don’t be afraid to “flaunt it” by adding great color to your wardrobe!

By the way men, I’d love to hear it from you:  What holds you back when it comes to using color?

Prior to the 52nd Grammy Awards, when asked how he felt about his six–count ‘em, SIX–Grammy nominations, Maxwell let his eyes do some of the talking.  “It’s an incredible experience,” he said, and his eyes reflected a humble, sincere and hopeful spirit.  “It’s an honor that I can’t even express to you in words . . .

“If I won . . . I would be beyond joy . . .”

Then he won two Grammys!  And he seemed almost at a loss for words during his acceptance speech (who wouldn’t?).  But I’m sure there was an expression worth a million behind those dark glasses!  Only wish he would have shared.

I wanted to see “beyond joy” in this man’s eyes–the joy behind 13 years of hard work, integrity and determination having paid off in the bestowal of this great honor by those within his own industry.   Not only did Maxwell appear overwhelmed by the extraordinary moment, but he unfortunately appeared overwhelmed by his own attire–black suit, not much color or contrast in his shirt and tie combination, and a large pair of dark sunglasses–all working to further understate this handsome man’s otherwise dynamic, creative and now deeply overjoyed persona.  What a missed opportunity for viewers.

Your thoughts?

Ryan Seacrest

A word to the wise, Ryan:  Grey is a color that’s born negative.  Think, “Old and grey”, “Sad and grey” and “Tired and grey”–none of which are statements that suit your dynamic and professional persona.  This suit simply has too much grey.

You need a dynamic tie that makes a statement.  This one’s not making much of a statement at all;  think “Grey lie” or “Grey area.”

My favorite color to accompany grey is something in the raspberry or magenta range, and below are a couple of examples.  You could also go for a bold yellow tie.

FYI: Grey shirts are sports shirts, not business shirts.

Carry on, handsome!

Anderson,

You are such a man about town – all over the channels and keeping ‘em honest.  Bravo!

Love the fact that you can go from casual attire to suits and still not betray your persona.

My advice: stick to dark-colored suits like black and navy.  They show off your beautiful hair the best.  Forego the grey suits.  Grey is such a wish-washy color — like a grey area or a grey lie.

I’d drop the solid blue ties that Bush favored.  Too “Deep South” country club!  Not powerful enough for you.  Go for power colors in the red family, including regal colors like raspberry.

Nice three-piece, Ethan. Very British. My advice: this color is too much like your hair color, so it doesn’t create enough interesting contrast.  Also, brown is “Dad” or “Mother Earth” so it’s more nurturing than distinguished; more safe than sexy.  Go for navy blue.  You’ll look sexy and classy.