Not All Fun and Self-Expression Games: When Style Can Make or Break Your Career, How to Look Your Best on Zoom, Cheatsheets for Men and Women in Business or Sales Roles

Your personal presentation can be the difference between making your biggest sale or losing it. It can be what catapults you upwards in your career or leaves you feeling stuck.

Radiant greetings to you!

Today, I hope you will come along with me for a stroll. We will walk by the river of time, sit on some benches by the reflection pond, and maybe even smell some roses. I hope to enlighten you with my message that the “Old Money” business look we’ve known and recognized for decades is anything but dead and that it’s still the gold standard in all business, finance, and sales attire.

Could it have been one of the secrets to our most economically successful eras?

Enjoy today’s reflective content.

~Tatyana

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Light Loves Color is an independent weekly publication by Tatyana Wilson, Ed.S. of The Image Architect. It’s completely reader-supported and therefore unbeholden to fashion brands or retailers. Based on the empowering teachings of our world-renowned image consultancy, we back our publication with over 5 collective decades of research and 16,000+ color analysis sessions. We publish weekly content to empower you to use architectural principles of color and line—rather than emotions or trends—to make your style more authentic and sustainable. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber; the subscription is surprisingly affordable!

You will find the “shoppable” versions of these looks at the bottom of the page.

Anti-aging colors: You have your elevated navy basics, you have the shoes and accessories that go with them. Then you find a gorgeous leather or vegan leather peplum jacket in a color that’s one of your best. What a dream come true! When you know your best colors and have the basics, it’s easy to say yes to a statement jacket and work it into your work or casual looks.

Flattering Capsule Wardrobe Basics: You can work this into professional settings with your navy, charcoal, black, beige, or even white basics instead of the pictured navy. I suggest you use a slim leg pant or jean and high-waist a-line or pencil skirts in mini or knee lengths to keep the peplum wider than the legs. I would steer clear of peplum cuts entirely with larger legs, as the top and bottom would look disproportionate.

Impactful Accessories: I hesitated to put a necklace on this look since it might be too much, but I almost think it would be fine to put on a chunky chain under the jacket. Trying things on is the best approach. If it looks too busy, take the necklace off.

Unlock Success with Timeless Business Attire: How The Old Money Look Still Boosts Sales and Confidence

Fashion, style, wardrobes—I talk about these things in this publication a lot. It might even begin to sound like it’s all about fun, self-expression, and shopping, but this is far, far from the truth. The reality is that style is something much more serious. Your personal presentation can be the difference between making your biggest sale or losing it, representing your team and company in the best way—or falling short. It can be what catapults you upwards in your career or leaves you feeling stuck in the same place for years.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but let’s get this one thing straight: when people see you for the first time, they’re making instant judgments about you. Your competence, confidence, and intelligence are being sized up in seconds before you’ve even had the chance to say a word. Some studies show that up to 90% of our communication is non-verbal. So, if you’re walking into a business meeting or a pitch, what you’re wearing is already doing most of the talking. It doesn’t matter how polished your proposal or how well-prepared you are if your image doesn’t support that message.

So, we just need to tell the world to be more fair and to get with the times! Wear whatever you want, and just be free and happy. Sorry to tell you, we have never evolved past the efficiency of split-second judgments of trust vs. no trust. Please, allow me to explain.

I’ve been in this field for a while now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the old money business look—the classic tailoring, the high-end basics, the timeless style—works for a reason. In fact, it’s the gold standard that we have grown up seeing as the very definition of success. It works because it gives the impression that you have things together and that you know how to present yourself in a way that is universally flattering, respected, and trustworthy. It’s not about impressing people with flashy trends or logos. That, in fact, is the new-money look, which is quite the opposite. New money might look cool, but unless you’re an NBA star, have a new record deal, or just inherited a stash of cash, you’d still do well to play by the rules and look awesome in a time-tested way.

Why Does Dressing Well Matter So Much?

Studies have consistently shown that dressing professionally has a direct impact on how others perceive you and can even affect your cognitive abilities. A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science revealed that people wearing formal business attire feel more powerful and have better abstract thinking—skills that are essential for making big-picture decisions. And here’s the kicker: the study found that when people are dressed more casually, it’s harder for them to focus on complex tasks. Now imagine you’re trying to land a million-dollar contract, but your client is looking at your outfit and thinking you don’t quite seem up to the task. How much harder does that make your job?

When it comes to sales, the stakes are even higher. Clients want to feel that they are in good hands, and dressing well builds trust. According to another study in Nature Human Behaviour, people who dressed in a professional manner were perceived as more competent and were more likely to get a favorable response from clients and peers. This isn’t just about looking the part—it’s about communicating competence before you even speak.

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“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.”

—Miuccia Prada

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The Importance of Color and Tailoring

What we wear also impacts our appearance in ways we may not even be aware of. For example, did you know that wearing biologically correct colors—colors that complement your skin tone—can make your skin look smoother, more radiant, and youthful? It’s one of the secrets that the fashion industry has been keeping from you. Instead of pushing out high-quality, timeless clothes in these colors, they keep cycling through trends, ignoring what actually looks good on people.

And don’t get me started on tailoring. The difference between an ill-fitting suit and one that’s been tailored to fit your body is monumental. Tailoring helps define your silhouette, giving you a sharp, professional appearance that communicates precision, attention to detail, and competence. Think of the most powerful executives, politicians, or speakers you know. They’re not walking into a boardroom in sloppy outfits—they’re dressed to command the room.

So, What’s the Secret?

The secret’s in the formula and the devil’s in the details: dress in biologically correct colors that make your skin glow, wear well-tailored clothing that fits you perfectly, stick to elevated, timeless styles that project professionalism, and accessorize as though you’ve already made it. You don’t need to chase trends. In fact, the more you invest in timeless pieces, the better.

That’s why I’ve created two cheat sheets—one for men and one for women—that can give you a quick, impactful upgrade in your business wardrobe, whether you're meeting face-to-face or hopping on a virtual call. These checklists take the guesswork out of what to wear and show you exactly how to pull together a polished look that guarantees respect, confidence, and success.

Download the cheat sheets below and start upgrading your style today.

Shoppable Links:

Click on the images below to get shopping ideas for the two looks of the week with Pinterest AI.

What should you wear to the in-person or Zoom meeting? It’s all in here. Message back if you need personal color analysis or coaching. I can also share many ebooks that have helped thousands of clients achieve amazing business success.

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