Thank you, all for sharing your thoughts, it is so very interesting to read - and actually what you all say makes a lot of sense - there are so many perspectives.
Deep in my heart, I agree with Ms Mary. In many situations in my professional life, I too felt Too Big For The Room, and it is liberating to be able to see, that it is the room which often is the problem and not me. I am not really there yet, but I am getting there. Getting older helps.
I am a lawyer by profession and I work with corporate clients. It is an environment, where powerful is important. But so is competent, flexible, open and easy to cooperate with - I believe some of the aspects which Toban was talking about. But how does approachable fit in? As ChristinaF says, it is contextual. But if one defines approachable as open (what Jane mentioned) and warm - of course - this is what I believe I am and what I certainly do want to be in the professional context as well. In this sense, to me approachable is not the opposite of powerful. But I agree with Ms Mary - it is not my aspiration to be "nice" and "friendly" as being non-threatening and quiet - no, no, no - not in my line of work.
When reading all your intelligent and interesting answers, what really resonated with me very much was what Torontogirl said - perhaps the far most important is to have an authentic style. And Suz mentioned natural. But does this mean that the style and the outfits which a person feels are right on her are automatically her authentic style? To me, for example, it is the structured classic fit, the bold colours and contrasts, the drama and the playful accessories - these are my happiness factors in my outfits and I feel good, at ease and beautiful in such outfits. And that leads the thought to body language, smiles and manners, which I believe are essential to being perceived as approachable. What Angie said about these details is so very true.
Thank you, Angie, also for sharing how you choose your outfits when working with various clients and your own outfit strategies there. But it seems to me, pardon me for making my conclusions, that you wear your authentic style at all such times - that should be a harmony and an outfit happiness. A question for you Angie - when you employ your strategies - are you still happy, or even happiest in these working with clients - outfits? Or do you ever feel that you give up on something or something is missing? I myself am pretty happy about my work outfits as I usually wear what I want and it mostly works in the office. I adjust in certain negotiations or court hearing or course, but it does not bother me. Generally, I am lucky, because my outfits often work for the office. Happens that I am overdressed, but live with that proudly
Jussie, thanks for the great post. In your work and you circumstance, I totally understand you style and outfit choices. And wonderful, that you love that soft style which is more approachable. Harmony there, or am Imistaken? I think your style is awesome BTW and really suits your physique and your personality shines through. And I can see your point with the overly expensive items - mostly, I prefer bags and scarves which do not have a distinct logo.
