I’m in New York City for Easter and just got back from strolling down Fifth Avenue (Tom held my credit card) in one of the most fashionable cities in the world.
New Yorkers have it all together. They are serious about their business and they’re not afraid to prove it in the way they dress. No matter what they are wearing, they know how to package it into one congruent statement. And nobody knows how to dress up “basic black” like a New Yorker. They dress for “Success in the City” more often than “Sex in the City;” which is exactly what you have to do when you walk into an attorney’s office for a legal nurse consulting interview. I recommend that new Certified Legal Nurse Consultants hire an image consultant. New or experienced, I mean it, you need one, you’ll have to trust me on this one. So did I when I started my legal nurse consulting business 27 years ago (even though I didn’t know it at the time).
A typical nurse, I knew how to wear scrubs, but little else. One year for Christmas I asked my mom for a $50 painting I coveted so I’d have something to hang on the wall of my new one-bedroom condo. Her response was, “You need a dress, not a $50 painting.” But being the loving person she was, I got the painting and mom got a big hug. When I had my first attorney interview, I wasn’t ready to “dress for success,” but that painting sure looked great hanging on my living room wall. Fortunately for me, the attorney wasn’t (and still isn’t) the best dresser either. The dressiest things I owned were my “church clothes,” a purple sweater and grey skirt my mom had gotten me for my birthday (two months after that Christmas). Lucky for me the attorney saw what I could do for him, not what I was wearing, and hired me to work on my first medical malpractice case. I got started both on the case and on learning how to dress the part to maneuver through the attorney’s world.
I did manage to avoid the Minnie Mouse look popular at the time, but some of my suits were a little stiff and serious. Through a “friend of a friend” I met an image consultant who quickly set me straight and pulled me together (but not without a struggle). She taught me a valuable lesson. No matter how competent we are, what we wear and how we wear it speaks loudly about what people will expect from us. We may be able to deliver a high quality work product (or save a life), but if the purse doesn’t blend, the shoes are a little scuffy and if the hair’s ten years out of style – you can count on the attorney focusing on the lowest common denominator, not your 15 years of nursing experience and terrific communication skills. We nurses are pretty lenient and tend to judge other nurses first by how we’ve secured all our tools to our scrubs, then by our competencies. Attorneys hire people they perceive to already be successful. You have seconds to influence that first impression and those scrubs or purple sweater just won’t do it. Nordstrom’s and other stores offer free image consults. Take advantage of them, you’ll appreciate it later. Your best thinking got you here – their best thinking can get you out of those scrubs.
If you’ve still no clue what I’m talking about, take a trip to New York City, stroll Fifth Avenue and take a good look at what people are wearing. Just leave your credit card at home.
Success Is Inside!
P.S.Comment and share your 5th-Avenue-style tips for your CLNC® business.
This article could not be more true and I am thrilled that the “fashionistas” of NYC inspired Vickie to share this very important message with the CLNC® community. Dressing for success and confidence is truly one of the easiest and most effective marketing tools. There is nothing that an attorney-client can say to me (even no) that can take away how great I feel when I know I am looking good and dressing the part!
I walk a little taller, head held high, a huge smile on my face, and emit confidence when I put on my favorite suit pieces paired with killer accessories to attend my interviews, meetings and depositions. Not to mention how much fun it is to dress up and get out of those frumpy scrubs even though they have come a long way with the designs!
Anyway, my advice is to spend some good money on one beautiful suit to start (navy or black). I am a huge fan of Macy’s for my suits since they have some of the high end labels, can do alterations for you right there which is always necessary to get that perfect fit, and you can get GREAT deals especially if you have a Macy’s charge and the coupons they put out for sales!
After that, do not skimp on accessories. Look for shells and blouses with some flair to pull your new suit together. Use color, texture, fabric and lace to make your go-to-suit a little more interesting, but tasteful and professional at all times! Save the deep V-neck and cleavage revealing tops for the weekends! Earrings that are noticed but not to big always compliment and polish off the outfit while making you feel feminine and pretty, and again if just starting out buy that one perfect pair of low-medium high heels with a classic pointed toe and save them for your business events to keep them clean and looking good.
The new ensemble may cost a little bit of money upfront, but it is an investment that will be paid for as soon as you land your case because you were looking so good and oozing confidence! Men CLNC® consultants, this applies to you also! Nothing is more attractive than a man dressed in a fine tailored suit! The Docker khakis, dress shirt with no tie and bad shoes are never a professional look and can make one look just plain ordinary and even sloppy. That is not the image us successful CLNC® consultants want to portray to our clients! So happy shopping to all and I just inspired myself to go buy something new for my first official out of state business trip to San Diego this upcoming week! Happy Spring to all!
Thank you Vickie. You are so right on. Several of my CLNC® associates will be joining me for my first ever exhibit, and I felt a little uncomfortable telling them what I would like them to wear. By the way, J.C. Penney’s has some really nice business attire for women. I caught a great sale and ended up with a $250.00 suit for $100.00 and two awesome blouses to go with it for $40.00. The right accessories are also important. I am not one for jewelry, but suck it up and wear it when I have to. Thanks for saying it so straight forward and to the point as you always do. I love NY especially, at Christmas time. Have a nice Easter.
Thank you for all the advice. I’ve found another issue related to appearance. I look significantly younger than I am, which is fine for my personal life, but professionally can be detrimental. Two tricks I’ve found that help in a professional setting are wearing glasses and making sure my hairstyle is sophisticated.
Happy Easter! And Vickie, if you get a gourmet chocolate craving in NYC, don’t forget to check out the cozy Mariebelle’s upstairs on Madison Ave. between 65th and 66th. Wonderful drinks, chocolates, lunch and dessert!
Elizabeth – How did you know I’m having a chocolate craving? I’m on my way there right after Tom drags me to the Apple Store (again). Thank you for the recommendation.
While I was in Chicago for the CLNC® 6-Day Certification Seminar, I walked from the hotel to the nearest Nordstrom. (I’m from a small town…I never considered taking a cab!). I bought the nicest, rather conservative suit I could afford. I wear it as a full suit to all of my first interviews and I wear it broken up on follow-up conferences. Even though my clients all wear jeans, cowboy boots and freshly pressed Polo shirts, I always dress up.
As my husband told me when I started this adventure (and was feeling over dressed):
“There is nothing wrong with a beautiful, well dressed woman walking in to an office!”
Yeah, he’s a keeper!
Happy Easter Vickie…and thanks for a Blog that is so much fun!
Thanks Vickie and everyone for the tips on how to look professional. I live in a rural area and the closest nice business attire store is J.C. Penney’s. I have a hard time getting new suit jackets (I hate to admit this) to fit my arms. However, I found a goldmine of business attire in my little town at a consignment thrift store that has a section with gently-used formal and business attire. Many of these items have been adjusted by the previous owners for body dimension problems like mine. This is how I put together my first business suit.
When I was ready to present my first CLE session, I knew that I needed a classy new suit because this session was going to be videotaped and then would be available as a CLE home-study program with a DVD. Like Elizabeth Grace Diaz, I look younger than I really am. So I wanted to look sophisticated and experienced. A neighbor gave me a box of clothes from a friend of hers who is a businesswoman. Inside that box, there was a suit jacket with the price tag still on it, $125.00! It was classy, nice, brand spanking new, and best of all it fit me perfectly!
The evening of the CLE session, I pulled my hair up and put on the jacket with a black skirt and black conservative dress shoes. My husband said WOW! I said WOW! My five-year-old grandson said, “Grandma you look beautiful.”
Whatever the budget, there are money-saving ways to look and feel top-notch.
When I completed the class last year I knew I needed some new clothes to look the part. After wearing scrubs in an OR for so many years, the only clothes in my closet were very casual. Additionally, I lost over 50 pounds before becoming a CLNC® consultant, nothing in my closet even fit.
I took two people with me when I went out to shop, my older sister (who has great fashion sense and is also brutally honest) and a good friend that I knew would be honest and keep me from murdering my sister.
I was able to find several great suits that fit well and looked professional. The hard part was picking which to take home. I decided on a navy suit (jacket and skirt) and also a black suit with a different style jacket and slacks. I also purchased several nice tops to complete the outfits.
This way even if I am wearing the same skirt (or slacks), a different blouse can change the look and it feels like a different outfit. I too purchased new shoes (simple good quality pumps) and only wear them for CLNC® business.
We shopped a Burlington Coat Factory in our area and they had were great deals on all kinds of clothes. Silly me, I thought they only had coats and had never been in the store. All of the name brands too. Both the suits I purchased were Evan-Picone. When I put on my suit and heels I feel so confident that nothing can bring me down.
Another tip: Look for deals on briefcases at Ross. You may have to go several times to find one you like, but the prices are incredible.
Oh dear. I’m so backward. Thank you for the advice. I did wear scrubs for a long time, but I also did case management and we needed to “look professional.” I call suits “power clothes.” Secretly, I like my jeans! I can’t help it. I’m afraid if you saw the way I dress daily you would…well…disown me…I like jeans and a sweatshirt and I have worn my hair long for so darn long, I haven’t clue what to do with it when I try a new style. My hands won’t move with the hair dryer…too much coordination needed. But there was help even for a person like me!
At a store downtown they have this lady who is a fashion consultant. I just love her! She seemed to understand my love for casual clothes. At my age, hiding the body flaws is difficult! Oh…that’s another post…anyway, I also found a hair stylist and he cut my hair so it’s feathered around my fat chin and my aging face and it looks new and crisp and good! It’s comfortable for me. It doesn’t take a lot of time to “look good.”
I was at an attorney’s office once and he had a box of ties for days in court that he obviously may have forgotten about. I thought to myself, “what a great idea! Wish I could do that.” So, I told the nice lady at the store downtown about the box of ties and “Could I do something like that?” She laughed, but thought for a minute and then said “Yes. You can.” (Told you I liked her.) She said, “buy an expensive pair of black pants and a black cashmere suit coat. Fill your wardrobe with pretty blouses in different colors and when you put that suit coat on, you will always look ready for ‘court’.” Then she said to buy a leather bag, one that is either black and makes a statement and one that is filled with several colors for the summer months. She explained to me that a purse is as important as the jewelry you are wearing. Shoes? Well, find the most comfortable pair of low heal shoes in black if your purse is black. (Just like you said Vickie! It’s just got to look “pulled together”). She told me to buy things little by little if I had to. And I did. I made up my mind that every month, I would purchase a new blouse and save the rest for summer time when I needed a black jacket in a different weight.
I think for people like me, it’s a challenge to always look “professional.” However, like you said, it’s important and we don’t always think of it as nurses. We’ve worn scrubs or uniforms all our lives.
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*The opinions and statements made by Vickie Milazzo, the founder of Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc. are based on her experiences and expertise, should not be applied beyond the specific context provided, and do not guaranty or project actual results. Vickie Milazzo is no longer involved in the operations or management of the business, but is involved as an independent education consultant.
Thanks for the tip about free image consults at Nordstrom. I’m going to check at other stores (e.g. Macy’s). I’ll post what I find.
This article could not be more true and I am thrilled that the “fashionistas” of NYC inspired Vickie to share this very important message with the CLNC® community. Dressing for success and confidence is truly one of the easiest and most effective marketing tools. There is nothing that an attorney-client can say to me (even no) that can take away how great I feel when I know I am looking good and dressing the part!
I walk a little taller, head held high, a huge smile on my face, and emit confidence when I put on my favorite suit pieces paired with killer accessories to attend my interviews, meetings and depositions. Not to mention how much fun it is to dress up and get out of those frumpy scrubs even though they have come a long way with the designs!
Anyway, my advice is to spend some good money on one beautiful suit to start (navy or black). I am a huge fan of Macy’s for my suits since they have some of the high end labels, can do alterations for you right there which is always necessary to get that perfect fit, and you can get GREAT deals especially if you have a Macy’s charge and the coupons they put out for sales!
After that, do not skimp on accessories. Look for shells and blouses with some flair to pull your new suit together. Use color, texture, fabric and lace to make your go-to-suit a little more interesting, but tasteful and professional at all times! Save the deep V-neck and cleavage revealing tops for the weekends! Earrings that are noticed but not to big always compliment and polish off the outfit while making you feel feminine and pretty, and again if just starting out buy that one perfect pair of low-medium high heels with a classic pointed toe and save them for your business events to keep them clean and looking good.
The new ensemble may cost a little bit of money upfront, but it is an investment that will be paid for as soon as you land your case because you were looking so good and oozing confidence! Men CLNC® consultants, this applies to you also! Nothing is more attractive than a man dressed in a fine tailored suit! The Docker khakis, dress shirt with no tie and bad shoes are never a professional look and can make one look just plain ordinary and even sloppy. That is not the image us successful CLNC® consultants want to portray to our clients! So happy shopping to all and I just inspired myself to go buy something new for my first official out of state business trip to San Diego this upcoming week! Happy Spring to all!
Thank you Vickie. You are so right on. Several of my CLNC® associates will be joining me for my first ever exhibit, and I felt a little uncomfortable telling them what I would like them to wear. By the way, J.C. Penney’s has some really nice business attire for women. I caught a great sale and ended up with a $250.00 suit for $100.00 and two awesome blouses to go with it for $40.00. The right accessories are also important. I am not one for jewelry, but suck it up and wear it when I have to. Thanks for saying it so straight forward and to the point as you always do. I love NY especially, at Christmas time. Have a nice Easter.
Thank you for all the advice. I’ve found another issue related to appearance. I look significantly younger than I am, which is fine for my personal life, but professionally can be detrimental. Two tricks I’ve found that help in a professional setting are wearing glasses and making sure my hairstyle is sophisticated.
Happy Easter! And Vickie, if you get a gourmet chocolate craving in NYC, don’t forget to check out the cozy Mariebelle’s upstairs on Madison Ave. between 65th and 66th. Wonderful drinks, chocolates, lunch and dessert!
Elizabeth – How did you know I’m having a chocolate craving? I’m on my way there right after Tom drags me to the Apple Store (again). Thank you for the recommendation.
While I was in Chicago for the CLNC® 6-Day Certification Seminar, I walked from the hotel to the nearest Nordstrom. (I’m from a small town…I never considered taking a cab!). I bought the nicest, rather conservative suit I could afford. I wear it as a full suit to all of my first interviews and I wear it broken up on follow-up conferences. Even though my clients all wear jeans, cowboy boots and freshly pressed Polo shirts, I always dress up.
As my husband told me when I started this adventure (and was feeling over dressed):
“There is nothing wrong with a beautiful, well dressed woman walking in to an office!”
Yeah, he’s a keeper!
Happy Easter Vickie…and thanks for a Blog that is so much fun!
Thanks Vickie and everyone for the tips on how to look professional. I live in a rural area and the closest nice business attire store is J.C. Penney’s. I have a hard time getting new suit jackets (I hate to admit this) to fit my arms. However, I found a goldmine of business attire in my little town at a consignment thrift store that has a section with gently-used formal and business attire. Many of these items have been adjusted by the previous owners for body dimension problems like mine. This is how I put together my first business suit.
When I was ready to present my first CLE session, I knew that I needed a classy new suit because this session was going to be videotaped and then would be available as a CLE home-study program with a DVD. Like Elizabeth Grace Diaz, I look younger than I really am. So I wanted to look sophisticated and experienced. A neighbor gave me a box of clothes from a friend of hers who is a businesswoman. Inside that box, there was a suit jacket with the price tag still on it, $125.00! It was classy, nice, brand spanking new, and best of all it fit me perfectly!
The evening of the CLE session, I pulled my hair up and put on the jacket with a black skirt and black conservative dress shoes. My husband said WOW! I said WOW! My five-year-old grandson said, “Grandma you look beautiful.”
Whatever the budget, there are money-saving ways to look and feel top-notch.
When I completed the class last year I knew I needed some new clothes to look the part. After wearing scrubs in an OR for so many years, the only clothes in my closet were very casual. Additionally, I lost over 50 pounds before becoming a CLNC® consultant, nothing in my closet even fit.
I took two people with me when I went out to shop, my older sister (who has great fashion sense and is also brutally honest) and a good friend that I knew would be honest and keep me from murdering my sister.
I was able to find several great suits that fit well and looked professional. The hard part was picking which to take home. I decided on a navy suit (jacket and skirt) and also a black suit with a different style jacket and slacks. I also purchased several nice tops to complete the outfits.
This way even if I am wearing the same skirt (or slacks), a different blouse can change the look and it feels like a different outfit. I too purchased new shoes (simple good quality pumps) and only wear them for CLNC® business.
We shopped a Burlington Coat Factory in our area and they had were great deals on all kinds of clothes. Silly me, I thought they only had coats and had never been in the store. All of the name brands too. Both the suits I purchased were Evan-Picone. When I put on my suit and heels I feel so confident that nothing can bring me down.
Another tip: Look for deals on briefcases at Ross. You may have to go several times to find one you like, but the prices are incredible.
Oh dear. I’m so backward. Thank you for the advice. I did wear scrubs for a long time, but I also did case management and we needed to “look professional.” I call suits “power clothes.” Secretly, I like my jeans! I can’t help it. I’m afraid if you saw the way I dress daily you would…well…disown me…I like jeans and a sweatshirt and I have worn my hair long for so darn long, I haven’t clue what to do with it when I try a new style. My hands won’t move with the hair dryer…too much coordination needed. But there was help even for a person like me!
At a store downtown they have this lady who is a fashion consultant. I just love her! She seemed to understand my love for casual clothes. At my age, hiding the body flaws is difficult! Oh…that’s another post…anyway, I also found a hair stylist and he cut my hair so it’s feathered around my fat chin and my aging face and it looks new and crisp and good! It’s comfortable for me. It doesn’t take a lot of time to “look good.”
I was at an attorney’s office once and he had a box of ties for days in court that he obviously may have forgotten about. I thought to myself, “what a great idea! Wish I could do that.” So, I told the nice lady at the store downtown about the box of ties and “Could I do something like that?” She laughed, but thought for a minute and then said “Yes. You can.” (Told you I liked her.) She said, “buy an expensive pair of black pants and a black cashmere suit coat. Fill your wardrobe with pretty blouses in different colors and when you put that suit coat on, you will always look ready for ‘court’.” Then she said to buy a leather bag, one that is either black and makes a statement and one that is filled with several colors for the summer months. She explained to me that a purse is as important as the jewelry you are wearing. Shoes? Well, find the most comfortable pair of low heal shoes in black if your purse is black. (Just like you said Vickie! It’s just got to look “pulled together”). She told me to buy things little by little if I had to. And I did. I made up my mind that every month, I would purchase a new blouse and save the rest for summer time when I needed a black jacket in a different weight.
I think for people like me, it’s a challenge to always look “professional.” However, like you said, it’s important and we don’t always think of it as nurses. We’ve worn scrubs or uniforms all our lives.