As we have already discussed, there is only one first impression. Once the damage is done, you've got to work pretty hard to repair it.

When Geoff and I first met Neil, we instantly knew that we would hire him to be our lawyer. The guy was wearing knee-length shorts and a polo shirt, his office wasn't the tidiest we've ever seen and he constantly interrupted his own sales pitch to hear the score on the radio. But he had us at 'hello'. It was his genuine personality, his enthusiasm about little things and really, just how comfortable he was around us. His office was just untidy enough. You know, it wasn't a pig stye, it looked like the office of someone who actually works, as opposed to some showcase room to impress clients. The same with his attire, he wasn't in court that day and he wanted to get his hands dirty working, as opposed to impressing people.

I might be a free spirited Bohemian myself, but let me tell you, I do not only find knee shorts and tennis shoes totally unprofessional looking, I find them hideous, even as casual pieces. They are like a fanny pack -- practical but ugly.

So why did we hire Neil, who's ever so important first impression was a short summary of "What Not To Wear"? Why did we choose him over his $4,000 Armani suited, glossy haired smooth talking charmer counterpart? Because we liked him. Simple as that.

Fashion is only fun if it's effortless and if you're not too serious about it. Don't let it rule you - you gotta be comfortable in your own shoes. Even if they are tennis shoes.

Please, never ever be uncomfortable. Looking like you're trying too hard gives a worse first impression than not trying at all.  Never be the tight pants, bra-and-panties-showing, platinum blonde who doesn’t know the capital of Peru (it’s Lima, guys, keep reading) unless you want to be the next Paris Hilton. Be comfortable, which also means you gotta look your best at times. You don't wanna go to a professional meeting in your sweats with curlers in your hair and zit medication on your forehead, but you also don't want to wear high heels, an elastic leopard print mini-dress and fake eyelashes to walk the dog. In fact you don't want to wear a tight leopard print mini anywhere at all, trust me on this one.

I have friends who are borderline crazy. Some live in mansions. Others live in small 3rd world villages. Others in their own world. Some wear tennis shoes with fanny packs, some wear sarees and dots on their foreheads, others wear conflicting plaids and some wear high-end designer clothes.  Sometimes I am not sure if I love these people because they're so special to me or they're so special to me because I love them. All I know is that they are so special to me and that I love them. What they wear has nothing to do with it.

1. -Agnes
   

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