Reinvent yourself week four

Look the part. What do your clothes and appearance say about yourself?

'Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful, graceful butterflies that everyone loves.' Drew Barrymore

By now you're familiar with working on yourself from the inside out to bring about whatever change you want. We've focused on your character, personality, attitude, and demeanour. Now I want to look at you and what you're saying about yourself through your physical appearance and the clothes you wear.

Looking good
All true reinvention begins on the inside but shows up on the outside. Transforming the way you see yourself and how others see you has to reflect itself in a change of look. Take Chelsea Clinton. She was a gawky, chubby and awkward looking child, but later blossomed into a sophisticated and beautiful woman, almost overnight. It's wasn't just that Chelsea lost her puppy fat, she's went through what the psychologist Dr Janet Reibstein calls a 'beauty watershed'. 'Clinton could finally see herself for what she wanted to be, rather than what her parents wanted her to be, and clearly enjoyed the process too,' says Reibstein.

Look the part
Today, stylists are so prized and sought-after they have a status similar to the stars they style. Katie Grand restyled Madonna and Elizabeth Hurley for a series of photos and soon after became the talk of Fleet street. Any decent department store now has their own personal shopper to help you get the right look.

Decide what your dress code needs to be. It's your uniform, a vital part of your armoury, critical to your success. Looking the part is half the battle. When Madonna turned up to persuade director Alan Parker to give her the part of Eva Peron in Evita, she drew gasps as she swanned in. She was Eva Peron, from head -to- toe. The resemblance was said to be uncanny. She went on to win an Oscar nomination for her performance.

So, what part are you playing? Be absolutely clear. Your external appearance speaks volumes. If you want to convince those in power of your intelligence and authority, dress to impress them. Skin, hair and hands deserve thoughtful grooming. It'll show. All work environments have dress codes. Ensure you've deciphered yours and are suitably attired.