Tag: Huffington Post

Are You Also Fed Up With Body Shaming?

Written by Scarlett De Bease on July 17, 2016. Posted in Uncategorized. 1 Comment on Are You Also Fed Up With Body Shaming?

I never knew how much Jennifer Aniston and I had in common.

Oh, not that the paparazzi follow me around and endlessly comment on my looks, or because I am a celebrity and the world just can’t get enough of me.

But how we both are fed up with the unrealistic, unfair, and unkind judgments women are subjected to over and over again. We share the belief that Body Shaming has got to stop, and speaking up is one way to make that happen.

Women are constantly getting the message from magazine and TV celebrity profiles, that anything resembling a ‘normal’ body shape should be labeled as fat or pregnant.

Yeah, people, we ladies have tummies, fatty deposits all over our bodies, and skin not as tight as it once was, which in all honesty is NORMAL!

I love what Jennifer Aniston wrote for the Huffington Post:

“For the record, I am not pregnant,”. “What I am is fed up.”

“I resent being made to feel ‘less than’ because my body is changing and/or I had a burger for lunch and was photographed from a weird angle and therefore deemed one of two things: ‘pregnant’ or ‘fat,’ ” she continued to write.

So let me tell you how I really do have something in common with the rightfully fed-up actress.

When I was in my 20’s, I booked a massage as a treat, after a long and grueling 3 day business retreat.

Keeping in mind that I weighed about 20 pounds less than I do now, my body shape was pretty darn close to Jennifer Aniston’s.

Upon entering the spa, my masseuse asked me, “Do you know if you are having a boy or a girl?”

Once I collected myself, I responded with “I’m having a burger with fries.”

See, I told you Jennifer Anniston and I had a lot in common.

FYI We also both attended The Performing Arts High School, as in the 1980 film Fame, just not at the same time. Her acting career went just a bit further than mine.

Copyright © Scarlett Image™., All Rights Reserved. THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyrighted to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it to appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

This Made Me Really Mad and Sad

Written by Scarlett De Bease on April 15, 2015. Posted in Image and Business, Image and Style, News and Events, What To Wear.

Does a Woman Have to Dress Down to Move Up In Her Career?

Recently, one of my younger clients who work in a male-dominated field, emailed me with the following question:

“I wonder if you would post about a specific topic for executive women. I have worn the dresses you picked out for me with much success, but almost too much success. I look so good it’s detracting from my message and attracting some unwanted attention from men.”

To say that I was taken aback by her request would be an understatement, as I truly thought those threatening days were long gone.

I experienced her quandary back in the 80s when I was a hard-working and ambitious woman, surrounded by men with huge egos who had no fear of sexual harassment charges or even knew they existed. Actually, I had bosses and encounters with men who thought nothing of inappropriate behavior. In a way, it was their badge of honor and my baggage to carry. So, how could this still be going on?

My client, and apparently other women in male-dominated industries, as per an article in Forbes, on the subject for sexism, clearly shows that the good ‘ole boys club shenanigans that I’ve had to face, still go on, especially in Silicon Valley.

So here I am, three decades later, showing women which clothes will flatter them the most, so that their careers can soar, only to find out that unwanted and uninvited attention from men is clipping their wings.

The majority of women I work with are not in male-dominated fields and do not have to forfeit looking and feeling attractive, in order to show power and receive respect. Yet, I can’t stop being disturbed about how women in tech industries have to wrestle with deciding if they have to dress down so as to move up in their careers.

I asked my client if she is getting more deals and interest in her services, since working with me and wearing the clothes I selected for her professional wardrobe. Here is her response:

“Yes, a lot of doors opened and the deal flows are better, however, I think I’m pitching a deal and the men think they are getting a date.”

Could it be that when some men behave like predators, it is their attempt to keep powerful, smart and talented women from passing them on the way up the ladder of a successful career? Or are they simply afraid of what their prey could accomplish if they are allowed to survive?

It is wonderful that she, and many of my other client’s, careers and income are expanding, yet tainted with the fact that even in this day and age, women in certain industries still have to decide if they should dress like a man by wearing a suit, or dress so that they feel beautiful, while risking being made to feel that they are sending the wrong signals.

How disappointing and sad, that many women still have to say ”eyes up here.”

A woman can and should be able to wear clothes that are flattering and give her the ability to command the room, instead of the wrong attention. Her career will always grow when her appearance reflects her confidence, skills, and creativity.

Clearly, our work in leveling the playing field in the workplace is still not done, but in no way does that mean women should allow the “uber” testosterone of some small-minded men, to determine how they dress and feel about themselves.

I would love to hear about your past or current experiences regarding men and how it did or did not affect your choices on what to wear to work. Please comment in the box below.

Note: This is an article appearing in Huffington Post.

“As a client of Scarlett’s, I’ve been lucky enough to take advantage of her online shopping service. Once I let her know what I was looking for, she took off, quickly sending me a long list of links to specific clothing that she knew I’d like, along with comments on sizing and her opinion. I wound up with all the pieces I needed, plus a few I didn’t even think about, but loved when I got them. Scarlett makes it easy, stress-free and super-convenient. I’m a life-long client.” Lisa Corrado (Lisa Corrado Nutrition)

Copyright © Scarlett Image™., All Rights Reserved. THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Do You Value Yourself?

Written by Scarlett De Bease on February 11, 2015. Posted in Image and Style.

Work, work, work. Family, cooking, food shopping, work, work, work. Does this sound like your life too?

I love my work yet rarely pamper myself, spend the money or take the time to treat myself to things I need so as to be good to myself.

And then, I heard this:

“What you resist, is what you most need to do” as spoken by Jane Pollak. She guided 15 women, myself included, in a two day and night retreat, in the gorgeous Berkshires of Massachusetts. We learned, laughed, laughed some more and discovered how much we can and should do for ourselves.

What You Resist, Is What You Most Need To Do

Then it dawned on me. The reason I occasionally hear a woman tell me that she really wants to work with me, but the time is wrong, is because she is resisting doing something important and much needed, for herself.

Men don’t do this. They go to the couch to sleep, or a game with their pals. They excel at shutting out the world so they can re-fuel and re-charge, yet way too often women put themselves last.

It isn’t just about money, time or weight that a woman doesn’t end her frustration with figuring out what to wear or take care of herself in some other way. Nope. It is more about fear, ego, and resistance to taking care of herself.

A woman needs to value herself

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” ― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Love yourself ASAP. Get a manicure, haircut, massage, or just take a nap.

Contact me when you decide you’re worth it.

Want more tips? CLICK HERE

My recent article in Huffington Post.

When Photoshop Goes Wrong & Why Aren’t My Thighs This Skinny?

Written by Scarlett De Bease on May 20, 2014. Posted in Image and Style.

Why aren’t my thighs this skinny too?

Why oh why can’t I or most other women ever seem to look as perfect as the models and celebrities I see in print?

No matter how well a woman may eat, diet, exercise, or pamper her skin and mind, she just can’t seem to look as good as those ‘perfect’ models and celebrities.

Thankfully, I must admit, that even my beloved clients cannot compare to the women I recently saw a story about the crazy use of Photoshop on women. Body parts are edited out in error, waists whittled down to impossible sizes, and so much more or shall I say less, all towards the goal of modeling artificial and unobtainable perfection.

But, wait, how can they compare? My naturally beautiful, and may I add, well-dressed clients have not been re-touched with Photoshop for photos like this well-known actress.

Her legs were edited into a position even a contortionist could not achieve. It appears her right leg is attached to her left hip. In this case, who would want to look like that?

Is anybody out there as mad as I am about this?

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it to appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

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Professional Wardrobe Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

Written by Scarlett De Bease on May 20, 2014. Posted in Image and Business, Image and Style. 3 Comments on Professional Wardrobe Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

Professional wardrobe advice for women entrepreneurs and speakers is available, affordable, and essential if you are looking to grow your business, get more clients, and feel confident about your appearance.

Please answer the following questions and note how many have YES, as an answer:

1. Are you one of the many talented and successful women entrepreneurs who are not sure that your professional wardrobe is appropriately representing your accomplishments and talents?
2. Do you feel that you look out of style or lack any style?
3. Do you look into your closet and see that you have plenty of clothes, yet it takes you hours to figure out what to wear for business and personal events?
4. Do you feel self-conscious about your appearance in the clothes you are currently wearing?

If you answered yes to more than two of the above questions congratulations! This is great news because you are now aware that you are smart enough to realize your success and income depend upon a variety of factors, including what you wear.

I discovered thru a FaceBook friend, this excellent advice for professional speakers, although it applies to executives and entrepreneurs as well.
“When you come out to speak, realize that your attire and demeanor are conveying a message. You want to make sure they are consistent with the message of your brand.” John Rasiej, Developer of the Speak Louder Than Words System.

Apply for a Know What To Wear call here, if you’re ready to learn what clothes to wear and buy so that your professional, and personal image will reflect your strengths and talents.

“Scarlett makes it incredibly simple to view your closet as your friend, (not your enemy) when designing the business image you want to project to your market. She educates and inspires you to create the image you want to project in the context of what you truly want to attract. And for so many business owners, that can be a critical distinction in the kind of clients you get to serve. She’s a 6-figure business owner’s partner in success!
Think Bigger Coach and creator of the 6-Figure Idea Incubator: Where profitable businesses are born(TM)

—Chris Makell, Danbury Ct.

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.