Fashion

Fashion Tips For Women in Business

1. Do be authentic to yourself.

I am not a believer that you must dress to conform in an office space. I am a believer that you should dress in a relatively modest, office-appropriate manner. But within those guidelines, you do you!

If you prefer color, then wear color. If you prefer heels, then wear heels. If you like to wear a bold lipstick, then just keep the rest of your makeup fairly natural. Just balance statement pieces with more conservative, neutral pieces. Everything in moderation.

As Polonius so famously declared, “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

Being true to yourself is an admirable leadership quality. So practice it in all ways, including how you dress.

2. Do invest in quality, staple pieces.

As a business woman, you likely are smart with how you spend your money. There are certainly ways to penny pinch, but your business wardrobe is not one of them. Though the cost may seem like a lot up front, in reality you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. If the item is high-quality, you’ll be able to wear it many times over many years, making the cost per wear low.

Think quality over quantity. When shopping, pay attention to the materials and craftsmanship of the garments you purchase. Then once you buy quality items, take proper care of them. Have them tailored, have them professionally cleaned regularly as needed, hang them on velvet hangers (just say no to wire hangers!), take your shoes to a cobbler when they need to be polished or resoled. Basic care will go a long way in extending the life of your clothes and shoes!

Action item: If you don’t already have a trusted tailor, find one! Fit is everything! You want your clothes to fit not too tight, not too loose, not too long, not too short, but just right. And a good tailor will help you achieve that.

3. Don’t wear open-toed shoes.

Speaking of shoes… I don’t know what it is, but something about open-toed shoes is very off-putting in the office place. Save that for the beach, for the weekend, for the night out, or really anywhere else but the office.

I’m less concerned with if you wear heels or flats, pointy-toe shoes or rounded-toe shoes, but I do think you should stick to closed-toe shoes.

Now, if you do insist on wearing open-toed shoes, make sure your feet are well-groomed.

4. Don’t show too much skin.

I suggest being cognizant of this in two particular ways.

(1) Pay attention to your skirt or dress length.

The right length is critical! Dresses and skirts should at least graze the top of your knee. Keep in mind that when you sit in a chair, your dress or skirt will automatically rise up some, making it seem shorter. Be aware of any slits your clothing might have as well. Never choose pieces with super high slits.

(2) Don’t show cleavage. It’s just not appropriate. Along those lines, make sure tops are not at all see-through. And make certain that undergarments are not visible.

Some might add a third rule about not showing too much skin, and that’s the arms. Some stringent office guidelines often prohibit sleeveless tops or require a sweater or jacket over such. I’m not as much a stickler on this one, but then again it’s often a practically good idea to wear a sweater or jacket, as offices tend to be cold.

Always be sure to consult your employee handbook for specific dress code rules for your office.

5. Don’t overdo your makeup.

Like most of these tips (and most things in life!), moderation is key. If you like a bold lip, feel free to go for it. But keep everything else very natural. Avoid overly dramatizing yourself with things like false eyelashes, smoky eyeshadow, or an abundance of bronzer. Use your makeup to enhance your natural look.

On the subject of make-up, always keep a mirror at your desk to double check yourself before you go into meetings. Make sure you don’t have lipstick on your teeth, any make-up smudges, or food in your teeth. Likewise, try to keep a toothbrush and toothpaste handy just in case.

6. Don’t over accessorize.

Less is more. And again, moderation is key. Accessories can make or break an outfit. They tend to be a focal point, so make it a good one. Choose a high quality handbag or briefcase. Instead of piling on the jewelry, choose something classic like a nice set of pearl earrings or a simple necklace.

When in doubt, follow the KISS principle –keep it simple, smarty!

7. Do think about color.

Certainly around here, we believe in the power of color, as you know! So, while we are all for wearing color in the office, consider the psychology of color when choosing what color to wear. For instance, red is a powerful color, but can also be seen as aggressive. So, consider what’s on your agenda as you dress for the day.

Again, always remember that your style is simply another way to convey your overall message at work. Be intentional with how and what you convey.

8. Don’t be too trendy.

Unless you work in fashion, the office place is likely not the place to experiment with the latest runway trends.

You want to exude an air of classiness, elegance, and power. If you are overly trendy, your look can steal the show. You want your appearance to amplify your message of professionalism, not drown it out.

There is nothing wrong with incorporating a trend in a small way. Just don’t let it steal your spotlight!

9. Do familiarize yourself with the environment.

Different offices demand different levels of attire. Does your office require full professional attire? Or is business casual appropriate?

Be cognizant of what your office environment permits. But I urge you to still dress at the top end of that range. For instance, your office may permit jeans on Friday. But should you wear jeans? Perhaps no. Watch the executives in your office. What do they do? Again, dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Bottom line: Dress like you care! Your appearance is a reflection of your professionalism. So, let’s be intentional in the choices we make.

In Closing

Well, do you agree or disagree with me on this subject? I certainly have rather strong opinions on this, but it comes from years of seeing women unfortunately undermine themselves professionally by presenting themselves in a less than professional manner, stylishly speaking. So, as I mentioned, think of your outward aesthetic as an extension of your personal brand. Make the mark you want to leave when you come into contact with someone.

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Fashion Tips For Men

Simplicity is key when you're building a stylish wardrobe. Going too overboard with colour, detail and pattern can throw off your whole look, and we can't have that. If you're struggling to find an outfit for the day, it's important to know what looks good on you and stick with it. For a timeless look that will forever be in style, wear the classic plain white tee and jeans look. Plus it makes it seem like you haven't put too much thought into what you're wearing. When you're out and about this winter you're bound to wear a coat or jacket. The key with this is to not buy into trend-led pieces. Your investment will have been wasted as these will date from season to season. Stick to the classic overcoat in black or camel and work around that. A timeless piece is invaluable and if it's good quality, it will last you years and years to come. Now, I'm not saying that your look should all be simplistic without any hint of detail. Find a few accessories with a bit of detail and colour to add some personality to your look. A pocket square is a great way to add some personality to an outfit. If you're feeling adventurous enough, try wearing a red or even yellow one and simply tuck it into the top pocket of your coat or blazer. This draws the eye to that detail making people take note of what you're wearing.

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12 wardrobe resolutions to make in 2019

How to buy less, shop better and transform your look this New Year

You might be heading into 2019 with the hope that this year is going to be your most stylish yet – and we are here to help you achieve that. From holding onto old clothes that never get worn to panic buying pieces that won't have more than one outing, we are all guilty of making less than sensible decisions when it comes to our wardrobes. But, it doesn't have to be that way.

Here, we break down 12 wardrobe resolutions to undertake in 2019 so that you can make space, save money and look the best you ever have.

1. Don’t buy something for just one occasion

We’re all guilty of it. A wedding, a Christmas party, a Friday night reunion with old friends. Heading somewhere exciting means we inevitably feel like we need something special – and therefore something new – to wear. However, more often than not, as much as we like the piece that we buy, it rarely gets more than one outing.

Instead of purchasing something specific for certain events, try to have a few dressier pieces in your wardrobe that are more versatile. If you go for something simple and more classic, rather than trend-led, you’ll be able to wear it again and again. Accessorised cleverly, it will never feel like the same look.

2. Don’t buy or keep something that doesn’t fit

It’s not uncommon to hold on to items that no longer fit you in the hope that they will again one day. It’s also not uncommon to buy something in a size too small as an incentive to lose weight or because it’s in the sale and they don’t have your usual size. However, holding on to these items – that you can’t physically wear – is one of the worst things you can do if you’re trying to reduce the size of your wardrobe. Be realistic and honest with yourself. If it doesn’t fit you, donate it to charity.

3. Don’t buy or keep something that doesn’t suit you

As well as holding onto things that don’t fit, many of us keep pieces that we know don’t suit us. Often we’ve bought something on a whim because it’s a big trend or because we saw someone else wearing it and thought they looked amazing - but because it just doesn't suit us, we've never actually taken it out of the cupboard. If a piece of clothing doesn’t make you feel confident and comfortable, it has no place in your life.

4. Don’t buy something just because it’s a bargain

It’s easy to be won over by a big discount, and you should make the most of huge markdowns – especially when it comes to investment designer pieces – but only if that piece is something that you really need to add to your arsenal. Never buy something just because it’s a great deal. No matter how affordable it was, if you never wear it, it’s a complete waste of money.

5. When you buy something, get rid of something else

An excellent way to keep your wardrobe at a sensible size is to adopt the one-in, one-out rule: every time you add something new, take a piece out (and sell it or donate it to charity). Not only will it keep your rails and shelves from overflowing, it also means you have to be much more confident about what you are purchasing. You’ll never buy something unless you completely love it, knowing that you are going to have to lose something special from your wardrobe.