The Mojo Guide to Style!

The Mojo Man reveals 10 great ways to put your best foot forward.

Did you know that you can quickly build your credentials with others by seeming to be like them? And that’s why –if you want the gig –it’s always a good idea to look appropriate in the eyes of your prospect or client.

When considering what to wear to a client meeting, you should have two goals in mind. First, you want to feel good about how you look, because when you’re looking good, you don’t have to be concerned with your image and you can concentrate on the client. And the second goal is that you should make your clients or prospects feel comfortable about meeting with you.

Thankfully, the day of the three piece suit and the mandatory power tie are gone, replaced by today’s business casual dress policy.A suit and tie or a sport coat, slacks, dress shirt and tie are still appropriate for a court appearance or shaking hands with the President. They’re probably not appropriate for a meeting with a building contractor. The trick is to look good –but not so good that it makes your clients feel uncomfortable about their dress. And here’s how to do it.

1. Neatly pressed khaki slacks and a long-sleeve solid-color shirt are good bets for men and women alike. Polo shirts are fine, too, when meeting with small business owners, or meeting outdoors. Jeans are rarely considered  business casual, although you can combine ‘em with a long-sleeved dress shirt and a lightweight sport coat.  (Never ever wear a short-sleeved shirt with a sport coat. That whole Miami Vice thing went out years ago.)

2.  Long-sleeved shirts are dressier than short sleeves and are always appropriate. If you’re not sure which colors look best on you, go with a traditional light blue solid or white shirt. Polo shirts –worn tucked in, not hanging loose –are generally okay in casual environments. Don’t wear clothing that promotes your favorite sports team or a clothing designer, please. If you’re gonna wear a shirt with a name on it, have some custom-embroidered with your own company name or logo. Pretty cheap, classy touch and they make good gifts.

3. Your clothing should be clean and not show wear. Even your favorite shirt may not be your best choice for a client meeting after two or three years of wear and a hundred washings.

4.  Make sure your clothes fit properly. Don’t try to squeeze a 40-inch waist into size 34 slacks. Take it from the Doc –who has tried it again and again –it just doesn’t work!  Don’t load up your pockets with loose change, big pocket knives or bulky electronic gadgets.

5.  Wear a leather belt that matches the color of your shoes. Which, by the way, should be polished and scuff-free. In many offices, sandals and athletic shoes are inappropriate, as is the practice of not wearing socks. Sock color should match the color of your slacks.

7 is the lucky number.

6.  When it comes to jewelry, less is more. Unless you’re meeting with a hip-hop producer, try to avoid the gold chain look.  Fashion trends change constantly, and that look was gone several years ago. When I’m onstage, I’ve got a ring on each finger and a neck full of Mojo stuff. Offstage, I wear one silver ring and a  stainless steel watch, and that’s it.

For the ladies, my fashion consultant recommends that you never wear more than seven pieces of jewelry. Earrings, a watch, two rings, a bracelet and a necklace add up to seven. Resist the temptation to add that ankle chain unless you ditch the necklace.

7.  Perfume or cologne? Use a little –or don’t use any. Make sure your clothes are odor-free. If you smoke, refrain from smoking before a meeting. Many people don’t like the smell.

8. Yes, a writing implement is considered an accessory. Don’t take notes with a 29-cent pen. If you can’t afford a $20 ballpoint pen, use a roller marker or something with a little panache’. And always carry a spare –just in case.

9. Your briefcase, portfolio, computer bag or purse should be in good condition. No bulges, no ripped seams, no straps temporarily fixed with bent-up paper clips or gaffer’s tape. If you’re carrying a leather bag or briefcase, the color should match your shoes. .Canvas briefcases and bags are also perfectly acceptable.

So very wrong.

10 Eyeglasses are accessories too, and it ceases to amaze me that sometime around mid-life, a lot of guys keep wearing the same specs they’ve worn for the past 20 years. Huge clue here, gentlemen: big aviator-type glasses are out, as are yellow shooting lenses. There are scores of eyewear shops with hundreds of more up-to-date styles out there. If you’re hopelessly clueless as to what is hip, just grab the most stylish salesperson on the floor and ask them to help you pick out something cool.

Now if you’re sitting here thinking that dressing appropriately for a meeting with a client or a prospect sounds like a lot of fuss and bother, then it’s a safe bet that you’re not using all the Mojo you could be using. Looking good is the first step towards feeling confident of your abilities and your professionalism –and building credibility and rapport with your prospects. So long before you walk out the door, take a few minutes and decide what’ll make you look and feel your best at your next new business meeting.