Clean up your wardrobe:

Personal branding is not just about the way we look. For our image to work for us effectively we must reflect on the outside who we are on the inside. This way it's authentic and convincing, and not artificial.

• So who are you really?
• What do you want to project about yourself?
• Does your image work for you or does it get in the way of your true qualities and abilities?

When it comes to dressing with impact, don't always do what you've always done. Think about your unique brand and who you are, who your audience are for that day, what their expectations are, consider the situation and the environment and what your objectives are.

Having considered all this, you'll come up with an appropriate outfit that reflects what you want it to about you and your brand. All too often we neglect to think about our business wardrobe consciously. We grab the most convenient suit, jacket, tie etc, without really thinking about it being the most appropriate for projecting our brand today.

Dressing with impact:

• Dress appropriately for the audience/client and the situation
• Wear clothes that reflect your personality too
• Pay attention to good fit - there is simply no excuse for bad fit
• Accessorise well - less is more. One well-chosen piece can lift a
  whole outfit
• Remember people notice your shoes - never neglect them
• Make sure your wardrobe doesn't harbour dated outfits - looking
  dated will give the impression of dated thought-processes
• Check out the best colours against your face - get it wrong and
  you'll look drained 

And lastly, you don't need loads in your wardrobe:

• 80% of people wear 20% of their wardrobe, 80% of the time
• Work out why the 20% works and then you can re-invest more easily and without making expensive mistakes

Lesley Everett's latest book is called Drop Dead Brilliant: Dazzle in the workplace with confidence and panache