Today as I walked to work this morning, I felt very “Nicole,” which ultimately made me excited to take on the day. I’m attending a young leaders of Chicago event with my mentor tonight, and I want to reflect my personal brand to each person I meet.
I’m wearing a fabulous knee-length suit coat from Nordstrom in my signature power color: pink. My hair is thick, teased and huge, and I’m rocking my signature beehive look-aka known as the bump. My eyeliner is slightly cat-eyed.
These three things (pink, big hair, and big eye makeup) are my personal branding/style trademarks.
What are YOUR personal branding trademarks? You may think you don’t have any, but I assure you- you do.
For example, my best friend Katie is one of the few girls who can ALWAYS 
look hot in polka dots and pearls. My sister Ashley can rock clothes from a thrift store that cost less than $1 and make them look like a million bucks. One of my other girlfriends ALWAYS wears black and white, and it looks amazing and classy on her. If I see an awesome sweater or a pair of clogs, I think of my Mom. When I think of Nicole Richie, I think of her beautiful Balenciaga Motorcycle bags.
What part of your look or wardrobe brands YOU? What makes people pick you out of a crowd?
As I mentioned in last week’s article, Networking 101, I think it is really important to wear something memorable when attending a business or networking event. Keep it professional, but don’t blend in among a sea of boring- don’t be afraid to be YOU.
The founder of Ladies Who Launch, Victoria Colligan, would agree with me. She says that it isn’t until you start being your self and stop worrying about emulating other successful women, that you start to succeed. Read the short story here.
Today I sent out a Tweet asking what other girls felt like defined their personal brand. I got some cool responses, along with one DM from a girl who said: “How do you come up with a signature personal brand trademark? I’d love to have one but I have no clue where to start!”
Well think again! Here are some examples. I bet you already have a brand.
- Your glasses. (Think Sarah Palin!)
- Anna Nicole Smith. Need I say more?
- Curly hair.
- Pretty eyes.
- Always being the girl with cool shoes.
- Hair Color/Style.
- Pearls.
- Very white teeth.
- Always wearing lipstick.
- Your laugh.
- A cool short hair cut.
- Brand loyalty.
- Bows, polka dots, plaid- whatever pattern you love and wear often.
- Always having your nails done.
- Your curves. (Um hello Oprah and Beyonce!)
- Your signature jewelry piece (mine is my David Yurman bracelet)
- Your smile.
- Marilyn Monroe.
- Your makeup.
- Your ability to coordinate.
So please share: what are your personal branding trademarks??
Get the inside scoop on opportunities, communities, products and events we think you'll love. Sign up by entering your email:
If anyone can relate to where you're at in your career, it's Nicole Crimaldi: Nicole spent 5 years in corporate America, switched career paths, worked at a start-up, survived a layoff and is now self-employed. Nicole believes that career satisfaction is a huge part of overall happiness. Therefore, she started Ms. Career Girl to help other women get off the treadmill and onto a more fulfilling path.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I love wearing my eyeliner in cat eyes, and usually wear a red lipcolor, and when I wear nail color which is not often since I work with my hands…I wear black. It makes me feel powerful and it dries the fastest which is a bonus.
Shoes in any color other than black. “Overused” is an understatement.
I think guys can have personal branding trademarks, too
I am a very creative marketer and like to look corporate professional while still maintaining that air of creativity and innovation, and so, I always wear a brightly-colored dress shirt with a complimentary tie that “pops.” It always makes me stand out well against the sea of white shirts and black suits.
Great blog post. You’re touching on the appearance piece of personal branding. By doing things different, you stand out. By consistently wearing a “trademark” people will remember you for it.
I have 6 kids and each one (and me and my husband) have personal branding trademarks – and I’m AMAZED how different they are!
47 year old male – only wears extremely expensive suits and ties and
looks fab in them
46 year old female – known for wearing bright “wowsa” jackets at all times
23 year old female – she makes sweats look like a night on the town
20 year old female – is recognized as Mix and Match and has never been
“caught dead” wearing same outfit twice – ever! (amazing)
17 year old male – hip tshirts and jeans
15 year old female – layers … layers .. layers and a great pair of shoes
13 year old male – baseball hat slightly tipped and a swagger in khakis
12 year old female – changing brand – from tomboy to teen gal.. very fun to watch our caterpillar turning into a butterfly!
I posted a response to your blog about the cost of crappy clothing that I think would have been relevant here as well.