✨ This Week in Light Loves Color Weekly: Office Basics (w/Bonus Video), First Impressions, Wardrobe Tricks For Greater Authority

Discover actionable strategies rooted in 4 decades of color psychology, professional image, and timeless sustainable style to help you show up with confidence and authenticity.

Happy spring my friend!

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Do you ever identify as a plant? I think I get my energy from he sun! I hope you and your family are safe and happy today. I’m an extrovert and one of the things that energizes me is connecting with you. Even just writing to you and knowing that I might be resonating with you. It really feeds my soul!

FREE CONTENT (For All Subscribers)

• Article of the week: 💡 The Psychology of First Impressions: What Your Clothes Say Before You Speak
  👉 You have seven seconds to make a first impression. What are your clothes saying? This week, we explore:
  ✔️ The non-verbal cues people pick up from your wardrobe
  ✔️ Why color and fit matter more than expensive brands
  ✔️ How to refine your presence without overhauling your closet

  ✨ Glow Tips:

  💎 Actionable, research-backed tips to make small wardrobe shifts with major impact.

Thank you for being a subscriber. I’m so glad you’re reading this timeless content and I hope you get a lot out of it whether you enjoy the free or paid version. I’m a busy mom of 4, full-time caregiver to a disabled family member, college instructor, and writer. Together with my husband, I try to keep up with all the responsibilities, while maintaining great relationships and happy vibes. I heart you!

PAID CONTENT (Paid Subscribers Will Find This Below The Free Content) 🔥

🎯 Trending vs. Timeless: Personal Presence is a Formula

• We examine the office basics and connect them to the idea that your personal presence is a formula.

• We discuss the colors, cuts, and accessories that make or break our look.

👠 Dressing for Influence: The 3 Wardrobe Pieces That Subtly Boost Authority

Why dressing for a strong personal presence leads to better outcomes. How clothing, body language, and vocal tone work together to say, “I know what I’m doing.”

🎥 Bonus Video: Office Basics

In this week’s video, I break down the formula for how to create a dynamic look every single time and we check out a magazine article for a chance to practice shopping skills. (Most of their recommendations were definitely off!)

🌱 Sustainability Check: Secondhand Luxury, First-Class Style

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✅ Trend analysis through the lens of color, line, accessories, and sustainability
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✅ A glow-forward approach rooted in psychology, communication, and sustainable fashion

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💡 The Psychology of First Impressions: What Your Clothes Say Before You Speak

You’ve heard it said before—”You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” What does that actually mean?

Whether you’re walking into a meeting, stepping onto a stage, or even just entering a café, people are making snap judgments about you within seconds. And before you even say a word, your clothes, posture, and presence have already introduced you.

Why Do First Impressions Matter So Much?

First impressions are not just about vanity—they’re about communication. Your wardrobe is a visual cue that tells people who you are, how confident you feel, and how you expect to be treated.

Research in psychology confirms that our brains make assumptions about competence, trustworthiness, and status based on appearance alone. While this might seem unfair, it's actually a survival instinct—our brains are wired to make quick assessments for efficiency.

So, what is your wardrobe subconsciously communicating?

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🚦 The 3 Biggest Non-Verbal Cues Your Clothes Send

1️⃣ Color: What’s the Emotional Message?

• Dark colors (navy, black, charcoal) = Authority, power, and credibility

• Light colors (soft blue, white, pastels) = Approachability, openness, and softness

• Bright, saturated colors = Confidence, energy, and presence

• Muted tones & neutrals = Subtlety and quietness

👉 Strategy: Need to look more authoritative for a sales call or presentation? Try a deep navy with a crisp white shirt underneath. It radiates confidence without the harshness of black. (Note: Depending on the occasion, you can use other darker colors, but be mindful of what colors end up next to your face. Often, I recommend a brighter color next to the face to enhance luminosity.)

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2️⃣ Fit: Does It Say “Tailored” or “Thrown Together”?

• Clothes that skim your frame = Thoughtful sophistication

• Overly baggy or too-tight pieces = Lack of attention to detail

• Sharp tailoring = Precision and readiness

👉 Strategy: Ladies, swap those boxy blazers for structured jackets that highlight your natural shape. A nipped waist and strong shoulders instantly elevate your presence.

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3️⃣ Accessories & Details: The Trust Factor

• Classic, high-quality accessories = Confidence and intentionality

• Too many trendy pieces = Less credibility, fashion focus

• Shoes & bags that look polished = Attention to detail and sophistication

👉 Strategy: Invest in one structured handbag or briefcase that signals professionalism. If your bag is peeling, slouching, or overstuffed, it sends a message of chaos rather than control.

See in the gallery below what a difference just a few changes make!

Did you see that? We went from frumpy to sophisticated, forgettable to striking, from plain to wow! (Paid readers get a deeper dive to break down the formula this week in my Bonus Video.)

✅ Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Light Loves Color Weekly newsletter for deeper dives, styling strategies, and exclusive guides on timeless professional presence.

✨ Glow Tips: Mastering the Silent Language of Style

This week, we explored how your wardrobe speaks for you before you even say hello. These tips will help you tweak the signals you’re sending so you can walk into any room already ahead of the curve.

🎨 1. Let Your Color Do the Talking

Need to radiate trust in a meeting or presentation? Skip the black—opt for navy, forest green, or eggplant paired with a crisp white or another luminous top based on your undertones.

Glow Tip: Snap a selfie in natural light wearing different tops near your face. Which one makes your skin look alive?

✂️ 2. Upgrade One Item This Week for Better Fit

Oversized may be trending, but when it comes to professional presence, structure wins every time.

Glow Tip: Take one “meh” piece from your wardrobe—like a blazer or trousers—and get it tailored to your shape. It could be as small as adjusting sleeve length or cinching the waist. It’ll transform how you feel (and how others see you).

👜 3. The Power Bag Strategy

Your bag says more than you think. Is it organized? Is it slouching? Is it silently screaming, “I’m overwhelmed”?

Glow Tip: Choose one structured bag this week and make it your go-to for meetings or professional moments. Clean it out, give it a polish, and let it reflect the calm and capable version of you.

💬 4. Check the Message You’re Sending

Before you leave the house this week, do a mirror check—not just for appearance but for alignment.

Glow Tip: Ask yourself:

• Does this outfit align with the energy I want to bring today?

• Is it saying “prepared,” “confident,” “in charge”—or something else?

What you wear is part of your communication strategy. Make it intentional.

🧘‍♀️ 5. Calm = Confidence

Presence isn’t just visual—it’s energetic. Nothing sharpens your image more than composure.

Glow Tip: Before a high-stakes moment, take a slow breath, adjust your posture, and drop your shoulders. That 5-second reset can change how people perceive your entire energy.

Want more ways to refine your impression strategy and align your wardrobe with your goals?

🔒 Unlock this week’s paid content for exclusive tools, a full office basics style breakdown, and our video walkthrough on how to make your wardrobe do the heavy lifting for you.

✨ You’re not just dressing—you’re communicating.

Until next time, dress well, my friend!

Tatyana Wilson, MA, EdS, SHRM-CP
Founder, Light Loves Color