Fashion forward: how business style really works.

Any successful business meeting involves a desired outcome, a well-planned script, a stellar delivery--and the right attire. It may not be "all about image" as pop culture dictates, but how professionals present themselves physically is a key component to a positive reception.

Of course, certain environments maintain a standard of business dress. But the executive who creates a signature style that complements all other aspects of his or her business manner is a standout. BLACK ENTERPRISE talked to three successful executives in three very different industries who know how to strategically use their wardrobes. Check out how they are redefining business style.

Janet "Jazz" Armstrong

Senior Director of Technical Design

Polo Jeans Co. (a division of Ralph Lauren)

New York, NY

* Armstrong suggests keeping a jacket and a pair of shoes in the office. "You always want to be prepared for any meetings or engagements after work." She will wear a sweater or a jacket over an evening outfit to tone it down for the office.

* "Invest in knit T-shirts," she says. "They work well under a suit or jacket, instead of the traditional white blouse, which can be too stiff and conservative."

Clothing: Skirt, blouse, denim jacket by Polo. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik 

Janet Armstrong has a staff of eight and spends little time at her desk. Constantly in meetings, she shuffles between appointments and fittings with designers and vendors to determine fabrics and detail garment specifications for new designs.

Most employees wear jeans and T-shirts. Polo Jeans Co. imposes a dress code with few restrictions: no exposed navels, no badly tattered jeans, and no noticeably tagged clothing from other designers. In fact, they prefer employees to wear the Polo line. As an executive in the company, however, Armstrong likes to bump up the take on business casual a few notches. "At a certain level you dress differently," she explains. "I won't wear jeans; I will wear a denim skirt, though. I don't want to be called into the president's office and not look presentable." For Armstrong, building her wardrobe is all about the shoes--mostly Manolo Blahniks. "They dictate the outfit. I figure out what shoes and then I decide on what I'm going to wear."

Max L. Siegel

President, Verity Records Vice President, Jive Records 

New York, NY

* For all his dress shirts and slacks, Siegel wears Giorgio Armani because of its classic cuts. For better business casual, he selects Kenneth Cole, where his choices range from jeans to pants, which he describes as "relaxed but dressy." Siegel favors three shoe brands. He enjoys comfort and style from Prada, Via Spiga for men, and Kenneth Cole.

* Siegel suggests that men invest in blue and black pants with white dress shirts. "That offers incredible versatility for dressing up or down."

Clothing: Suit and shirt by Giorgio Armani. Shoes by Via Spiga (for men)

Max Siegel's schedule keeps him on the move. He spends time balancing his artists' creative concerns with hardcore business and marketing strategies for his company. His meetings and appointments can take him from the studio or an award show for artists ranging from Donnie McClurkin to Britney Spears, to contract negotiations and partnership speculations for the parent company. Siegel will plan his wardrobe based on his objectives for the end result of these meetings. "How you dress really does influence your outcome," he offers. "What I would wear to meet with a hip hop artist is different from what I would wear for a meeting with a gospel artist or a business manager."

Keeping that in mind, Siegel tends to plan creative meetings on Mondays and Fridays and schedule business meetings during the middle of the week. "If I'm in the studio or having a creative meeting, I'm less inclined to wear a dress coat. I may wear jeans. For a more formal meeting, I'll wear a sports coat and slacks, no tie."

Janice Corley-Blaney

CEO/President Remax Exclusive Properties

Chicago, Illinois

* Corley-Blaney recommends St. John for those who may be less inclined to sport high-fashion designers. "It used to be extremely basic but now offers a little more flair to its collection." She suggests trying one color scheme when purchasing outfits, such as a slip dress with a jacket, skirt, and pants. "That allows you the flexibility of creating four or five different looks."

* Invest in quality clothing. According to Corley-Blaney, "It will never go out of style."

Clothing: Bustier top, jacket, skirt and shoes by St. John.

Janice Corley-Blaney operates the No. 1 Remax real estate office in the state. It is No. 8 in the nation and had a sales volume of $537 million in 2002. Corley-Blaney is aggressive about recruiting the industry's best agents, and she's got a closet full of Roberto Cavalli, Bottega Veneta, Prada, and St. John to help her accomplish that. "It's all about how people relate to you," she explains. "The clothes we wear set the tone; the attitude. Clothes help you with your energy, and my job is to be very up and energetic."

Corley-Blaney currently coaches 170 agents. She spends her days enlisting new agents, attending meetings with current agents, and out in the field with developers or upper bracket clients speculating on purchases of $5 million and above.

She will don a St. John suit or dress with a jacket if meeting a more mature client, or one with corporate inclinations. "If I'm meeting with a young client, I'll sport a bustier with a suit by Terry Muglier or Prada; or a French cuffed blouse with a skirt, or a pair of pants. I always wear my stilettos."