Power Dressing is just what the name implies: dressing to look more powerful. Power Dressing also gives high credibility. Sometimes it is only a matter of changing the colors you wear in order to look more powerful – and attractive.

The prevailing dirty, disheveled “screw you if you don’t like my appearance” that is accepted as the norm is simply a reflection of who we are personally and what we are as a society. It’s an indication that we are sliding down to the lowest common denominator.

When you don’t control your personal appearance you send out a signal that you have no personal power, that you are someone who can be overlooked, disregarded or mistreated.

If anyone thinks appearance doesn’t matter, just observe any court proceeding where accused murderers are showered, clean shaven, dressed up in suits and ties and look like powerful CEOs.

Michael Vick in his court appearance did not project an appropriate image. But at least his handlers knew enough to dress him up in a suit and tie.

If we could look like we are going to court more often, we would have many more positive interactions in our lives.

Art Linkletter once said that people judge you within three seconds of meeting you. You may recoil at the word “judge” but that’s the way we humans are. We DO make judgments based on when we initially see.

Sandy: I have a question and I hope you address in one of your emails. As I understand it is very popular for women to go barelegged and wear sandals in the summer even in a professional office for “comfort.”

I see rough cakey calloused yellow-colored heels, bunions, long toes that hang over the sandals, hair on toes, weird color polishes, spidy veins on white legs, bony knees, etc., ect. It is distracting! You mentioned Katy Couric and I notice she is bare legged much of the time. This is the trend and all the actresses who appear on talk shows never wear hose.

It does not seem professional and polished to me and I am made fun of and told I am not fashionable because I believe in hose and closed shoes even in summer. They say that as long as your legs are shaven it is acceptable and a matter of fact, preferable to be bare-legged and wear sandals or open shoes. Only old ladies wear hose I am told.

I know it is hot and I understand pantyhose can be uncomfortable but were are in an air conditioned office and I have seen of enough other employees bare feet to last the summer. It is hard for me to take a work colleague seriously when I am looking at bare legs and feet and often times sleeveless sundresses – it feels too much like being on vacation and not at work. Men do not wear sandals if they want to be taken seriously at work so why do women feel that it is acceptable for them?

Thank you for listening to me…Sheryl