7 Steps to Branding your Image like Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg has the twitter world in an uproar over his difficult decision of What2Wear. Tens of thousands of people are commenting on this internet entrepreneur’s approach to fashion. Some called him creepy, obnoxious, arrogant, weird…. some even question whether he might be a psychopath! All because he has branded his image with extreme simplicity.

Wearing the same attire daily is not an unusual thing, especially in the world of successful men. Steve Jobs also repeated the same casual outfit every day. Karl Lagerfeld, Christopher Nolan and Dave Ramsey and many others also wear similar outfits repeatedly–of course they all wear collared shirts and some of them also wear suit jackets.  Zuckerberg wears a plain grey t-shirt and hoodie.

I think all of these successful men are onto something; many of them have publicly explained that they wear the same thing in order to minimize the decisions they need to make and maximize their mental energy.

Branding is brilliant.

Consider this:

  • How much time do you spend each morning trying to figure out What2Wear?
  • How much of a mess do you make in the process?
  • Does your morning ever start off frazzled and behind schedule simply because of your wardrobe?

There’s a lot of pressure to look good or follow fashion, and it takes a lot of thinking to put something new together each day. I’ve had many women (especially Naturals and Gamines) tell me that they chose their career because it required a uniform so they knew that at least five days a week they didn’t have to create their style.

I doubt there is a successful woman in this world who can get away with wearing the same outfit everyday (which isn’t a uniform) or endure the criticism than Zuckerberg is facing this week. But you and I can simplify our mornings a lot more if we brand our image. Here’s my suggestions for illuminating a lot of the stress of What2Wear each morning:

  1. Know your colors If you stay within your seasonal palette of colors, each clothing item should compliment the rest of your wardrobe.
  2. Learn your Image Identity If your entire wardrobe is “you” then the style of each individual item will not compete with the others.
  3. Do a Wardrobe Weeding: Illuminate anything that does not make you feel confident. If your entire wardrobe reflects your authentic style, you will not feel phony or frustrated and your image will not appear forced.
  4. Put together 10 -21 complete outfits that compliment your Img.ID Note: the number of outfits you need should include as many casual, dressy and formal as your lifestyle requires.
  5. Make a list and shop for any needed pieces (but don’t shop naked or needy). Note: most Img.IDs can mix and match clothing pieces to make many more outfits. Taking pictures of each outfit helps you remember what you have as well as what you need.
  6. Let go of the stigmatism that you cannot repeat outfits! If every outfit you wear makes you feel beautiful, then why let it bother you that you have already been seen in it? Create a Confident Closet, and BE confident!
  7. Know Who You Are (click link for Img.ID survey) and focus on your motto (click the links below to see general guidelines for that Img.ID)

While I do not think any woman could get away with a branded image like a man does, I do think branding your authentic style is great wisdom. Perhaps it’s time we form a successful woman’s club which allows each of us to BE and LET BE. The Classics could come to our events in their professional attire, the Naturals would sport their jeans, the Ingénues would wear their soft, sweet dresses and the Romantics would feel free in their flowing florals, while the Dramatics could have fun with fashion and the Gamines do whatever they feel like that day. I imagine that if there were a club like this it would cause another uproar in the Twitter world, but I would still want to be part of it. Would you?

*****

Catrina Welch is an inspirational author and speaker whose passion is empowering women and girls to BE and LET BE. Her expertise as a cosmetologist, image consultant and Biblical life-coach, as well as her personal experiences with abandonment and grief make her message relatable to anyone dealing with rejection, betrayal or loss.

CoversSidebar280x150-1Her latest book, CONFIDENT BEAUTY: Reflecting the One Who Made You, with the Images in your Mirror and in your Soul, will soon be available as an audiobook. Autographed copies of all her books are available on her website at www.CatrinaWelch.com


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