Christi Schreiber can easily tell when something doesn’t fit right — just look at the fabric. “Fabric points to the issue,” she says, noting that creases and pleats on clothing reveal what needs to be corrected, whether it be a sloping shoulder or a leg that’s longer than the other.
Schreiber, president and CEO of Colour Basis, has spent almost 20 years helping clients fine-tune their personal image. In September, she opened a storefront on West Berry Street. While her company does everything from suit fittings to makeup tutorials (for both women and men), her specialty is styling for professional settings.
But, for Schreiber, styling for work isn’t just about looking good — there’s an element of functionality as well. One of her clients, Worthington National Bank CEO Greg Morse, is eager to show off his suit’s more practical features: a cuff made a bit wider to fit his watch; a jacket with 10 pockets, one of them angled and sized specifically for a cell phone. And, for fun, Schrieber added stitching under the collar that reads “Money Man.”
“Your outward image, a lot of times, reflects what’s going on inside,” she says.
Christi’s Work Wardrobe Tips for Men
Fit is everything in a polished and credible look. Have off-rack suits tailored to fit your body. Start with a really strong capsule wardrobe with quality blue and charcoal suits and a sport coat that is interchangeable with them. Add what I call “fashion pieces” (i.e., a good pullover, dress coat, button-down with more print or pattern, suiting with bolder patterns, etc.) to build on your wardrobe as budget allows. Quality not quantity. If you are on a budget, you are better off to have fewer great quality suits and shirts with a large tie collection to make the most impact. Always wear collar stays in dress shirts for the most polished look. Take stays out before you take shirts to the laundry; if they start to bow with age and wear, replace with metal ones. Clean out your closet and get organized. Get rid of any garments that do not fit or have them tailored. Christi’s Makeup Tips for Men
Makeup for men? Yep, we have been teaching male makeup application for 20 years to TV professionals and executives. The demand is increasing in the business sector due to cameras being everywhere in the business world, from leading webinars, online training, constant social media, online interviews, media interviews, and so much more. CEOs, entrepreneurs, Realtors, consultants and attorneys, all the way to influencers, need to have an approachable, nondistracting appearance on camera.
Biggest Detractors We Teach You to Correct
- Shine on skin - the biggest issue on camera for men and women
- Dark under-eye circles
- Redness or blotchy, uneven skin tones
- Dark beard shadow
- Thin/light/uneven brows
Photographs: Olaf Growald