Visual techniques to show more maturity

In image consulting, I often work with people at the beginning of their careers or in exchange for a position, who need to change their look to suit different requirements and positions.

For some of them, we need to build a more mature appearanceto demonstrate greater seriousness and experience, because when one is entering the job market or exercising a new role, it is common to experience a certain insecurity, or even fear of not being able or not to handle it.

Therefore, there are some fashion tricks to look older and that we can use to show more experience in the visual, making the professional image more serious and mature.

1. Darker and deeper colors

Colors, as we mentioned in the previous article, have an undeniable visual influence, and just as light and intense colors show more joy and joviality, deeper and darker tones bring a certain weight to a person’s image, making them look more serious and even older than she really is.

The same goes for smooth pieces. Stick to classic textures as much as possible, such as pied-de-poule or chevron (herringbone).

2. Straighter modeling & structured fabrics

It was not for nothing that women adopted suits with heavy shoulder pads and more masculine models in the 80’s. strength and experience.

Even today, shoulder pads (today we have the trendy pagode sleeve) and architectural or minimalist models have this power in looks to look olderas well as the more structured fabrics (wool, linen, tweed), which create straighter lines in the wavy body types of women.

3. Minimalism of details

The less detail the look has, the more minimalist and serious it will be. Thus, few accessories or those very discreet are welcome when you want a more mature image (hello pearl ball, discreet watch and classic bag, preferably structured and without frufrus!).

Silk scarves are recommended, but with little print or dark colors. Short, single-turn necklaces are the most used and the hair, always very well taken care of, must be tied or very well tamed.

4. Allied classics

Classic pieces will always be allies when it comes to “calming” the look and demonstrating experience and elegance.

Bet on timeless suits (2 or 3 buttons or even double buttoning), shirts with angled collars, cufflinks, straight pants and skirts of impeccable length (skirt at the knee and pants at 2 toes off the floor, with the shoe!), Italian bars and overcoats.

Eyeglasses and sunglasses should be minimalist (think discreet rims and Jackie O. style), as should watches, preferably with a leather strap or discreet, thin metal.

The pointed-toe pumps have their glamour, always immaculate and impeccably polished. And let’s not forget about the famous pearl necklace, immortalized by Coco Chanel, as well as any black & white coordination.

But, of course, looks aren’t everything, right? As the famous proverb says, “an empty bag doesn’t stand up”, that is, added to a good image, there needs to be a lot of commitment, discretion and professionalism.

Thus, the image will be another tool in your favor, making you a person capable of demonstrating your qualities and behaving properly in the work environment.

Kisses and until next time.