| Tip of the Month Archives |
Five Tips for Cracking the Summer Dress Code
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, offices all over the country tend to get a little more casual. While many professionals welcome the opportunity to shed more formal business attire and be a bit more relaxed in their appearance, many more are unsure where to draw the line.
Here are five tips for maintaining a professional image that won't cost you your reputation (or your paycheck!) this summer:
#1 Think business first, casual second. "Business casual" is actually an oxymoron. No matter the weather, you are wise to think business first, casual second — or never, if that is your preference. Light weight suiting and career separates with conservative necklines and hemlines coordinated with equally professional footwear, tops and accessories are the way to go in warm weather.
#2 Know the code. Before hitting the mall to add some new summer items to your wardrobe, review your office dress code to be sure what you select is appropriate for where you work. For instance, many companies frown on any type of sandal being worn to the office. Be a conformist in a good way by selecting closed-toe summer footwear that honors your personal style while giving you professional clout with the powers that be.
#3 Connect with your inner wisdom. Deep down we all know which clothes make us feel most powerful, credible and business-like. If you have to, separate your summer play clothes from your work clothes and simplify the latter. In many parts of the country, summer is the shortest season of the year. You probably don't need a large collection of work clothes to get you dressed and out the door looking (and feeling!) like a pro.
#4 Get groomed. Don't let your personal grooming routine go on vacation while you're still expected at work. For instance, showing up to any professional business engagement unshaven or with wet hair can signal that you are unorganized, lazy or lack common sense. The best part about personal grooming — it doesn't have to cost a lot and allows you to show respect for yourself, which instantly shows respect for others.
#5 Be consistent year-round. Finally, no matter your work style (or the time of year), there is a lot to be said about being consistent. Anchor yourself into a stable image that represents the most capable image of you every day of the week. You'll brand yourself (as well as the company you represent) as reliable and serious about getting your job done.
Last Word
Work doesn't stop in the summer months. Your professional image shouldn't stop working for you either. Taking the time early in the season to go through your closet to retire items that no longer work while noting what you need to add to get you out the door faster and appropriately dressed for the day ahead is time well spent. When you shop in your closet first, shopping at the store is more efficient and cost effective.
Top Ten Fashion Picks: Spring / Summer 2009
We've been shopping up a storm for our private clients this season. Sales continue to be at record highs and summer colors and textures make it easy to help people literally and figuratively lighten up and enjoy the art of dressing well.
Remember, you don't need a whole lot of clothes to get out the door each day feeling your personal best. Shop in your closet first, make a list of what you need based on your lifestyle and personal preferences, and then visit stores and websites that complement your budget, figure and personality.
Here's our top ten list for the season ahead. We hope it helps bring some focus to your shopping this season. Enjoy!
#1 Yellow and Gray
Gray continues as a popular base neutral. Yellow accents it nicely this season.
#2 Gladiator Sandals
They work as well with cigarette pants as they do with mini-dresses and pencil slim skirts. Pick a heel height that works for you!
#3 The Little White Dress
A fresh twist on a perennial classic. Pair it with a jacket or cardigan for work — glam is up for a night out on the town.
#4 A Bright, Big Floral Blouse
Belt it over anything or wear it as a soft, flowing jacket over a simple dress.
#5 Pencil Skirts
High-waisted silhouettes, below the knee hems and stiletto heels give them modern appeal.
#6 Colorful, Oversized Handbags
Pick a hue you love and wear it with everything! Across the body straps make them particularly chic.
#7 Denim Galore
Classic jeans, of course, but also jackets, vests, and skirts too. White and black denim provide a fashion-forward contrast with colorful tops and accessories.
#8 Ballet Flats
Choose those with a slight heel & snipped toe for a fresh look.
#9 The Boyfriend Jacket
The mid-thigh length and rolled up sleeve give it signature style.
#10 High Impact Jewelry
Think big. Think bold. Think bargain. Scout out tony boutiques, garage sales and your grandmother's jewelry chest for one of a kind pieces that you'll love to wear!
To do your own style searches, go to your favorite retailer or search engine and type in the item you are trying to find (i.e. "skinny jeans"). Then see what comes up! Good luck!
Seven Ways to Recession Proof Your Closet
In today's tough economic climate, it is survival of the fittest. Retailers are slashing prices to lure you in and get you to spend as much as possible. If you are in need of some new clothes and accessories, now is a great time to shop. However, like anything else in life, slowing things down and focusing before you act is prudent.
Here are seven tips to help you make the most of the sales racks while protecting your closet from becoming a landfill of things that you really don't need and have the potential to cost you your sanity in terms of clutter in the long run. Remember, when it comes to clothes, a bargain is only a bargain if it works for your lifestyle and figure, fits into your day-to-day clothing storage space and doesn't put you into debt:
#1 Schedule some time in your closet before you head to the mall. An organized approach to shopping continues to be the number one action step our clients thank us for time and time again. Review what you have, identify what needs to be replaced and with pen and paper in hand write up a priority list. This exercise will keep you focused at the store and better able to make good decisions in light of sales tag pressure.
#2 Motivate yourself to downsize your wardrobe before you add more. Recessions are a great time to let go of what you don't need while putting some cash in your pocket. Consider selling some of your better castaways at a local consignment shop. Consignment stores are one of the business success stories of the recession. Make their popularity work for you. Donate other things to charity and take the tax write-off. The handy workbook "Money for Used Clothes," — available for sale in our online store — is a great tool for accurately tracking charitable donations. You'll be amazed at what you can legitimately deduct using the book's easy to follow formulas.
#3 Vow to add and release. Once you have the volume in your closet at a manageable place, vow to release something every time you add something new. This is a powerful way to change your relationship with material possessions and ultimately spend less money. With all that is going on in the world that is out of your control, transforming your closet into an oasis of peace and calm is a gift you can give yourself every morning when you get dressed. The key is to manage the incoming and outgoing simultaneously.
#4 Have your cake and eat it too. If you have champagne tastes but are living on a beer budget at the moment, visit designer outlets and make them go the extra mile for you. For instance, showing your AAA card at the Wrentham Premium Outlet Malls here in the Boston area, gains you access to a coupon booklet full of even more discounts at the outlets. Before you head out to outlet shop, visit Outlet Bound to search for outlets in your neck of the woods and what they are currently offering in today's buyer's market.
#5 Don't Forget the Hall Closet During your Pre-Shopping Check-Up. Look at your coats and totes before heading to the stores. End of season coat sales are up to 70% off right now. A trench with a zip-in, zip-out lining could be the only coat you need for spring and beyond. Consider adding a scarf in a color you love to get you mentally psyched for spring. Citrus shades such as lemon, lime and tangerine are the rage right now and look bold and chic with black, navy and beige trench coats. If your tote bag is looking shabby, this might be a good time for an upgrade in this area as well.
#6 Shells and Shoes — Less Really is More. Sometimes all it takes is a few new tops and some killer new shoes to give you what will feel like a whole new wardrobe. Adding these items can be done super cost effectively. Shoe departments in particular are overstocked. Shop at slow times — before noon and after 6:00 pm — and ask a willing salesperson to work the selection for you — i.e. ask to see all the chocolate boots in your size if you are looking for a pair. Find tops everywhere and hold out for the colors, necklines, sleeve-lengths and fabrics that are classics and will serve you well long after the recession is over. "Shoe and shell shopping" is also a cost effective way to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring.
#7 Coupons & Charge Cards. Finally, don't forget about coupons and credit card promotions. Google the stores you will be visiting before you leave the house and download coupons. Newspapers and your daily mail are also good sources of these amazing discount tools. Keep coupons in your car or purse so you don't leave them behind when you head to the store. Opening a store credit card and saving an extra 10% can also make sense if you are spending a considerable amount of money. Added bonus: you'll automatically receive future store promotion notices as one of their preferred shoppers.
Last Word
Yes, the sales are plentiful but discipline and common sense are required by everyone these days. If you have a tendency to get into credit card trouble, pay cash. It will keep you honest — promise!
The Power of Dressing Up in a Down Economy
Professional image is a powerful yet often overlooked tool for getting results for yourself and your company. While it may seem counterintuitive, spending money on the way you look and present yourself in tough economic times is actually a sound investment. The confidence you gain helps you become more secure, calm, confident and prepared for things outside of your control. It also inspires trust and confidence. This is true whether you work inside or outside your home.
Hiring someone to coach you through the process of developing an authentic personal presence that supports your lifestyle is not frivolous. As in most things, a seasoned professional cuts through the clutter, uses years of experience to make the process go quickly and has an intuitive sense of what will be right for you. A coach specifically trained in professional image consulting can make necessary edits to your closet and then help you select the correct colors, styles, brands and cuts of clothes and accessories to help you effectively communicate, connect and build relationships with colleagues, customers, community leaders and business partners.
Here are some of the principals that our team of experienced professional image consultants brings to the table when guiding people from many different walks of life to package themselves for success:
- Appropriateness, Boundaries and Respect. Whether shopping in the store or shopping in your closet, adopt these three words as your personal litmus test. Ask yourself, is this outfit appropriate for my business environment, position in the company and the industries I serve? Do my clothing and accessory choices create good business boundaries or am I overexposed and therefore going to come across as vulnerable, insecure or, worse, lacking judgment? Does my attention to detail show respect for myself, which instantly shows respect for others?
- View your professional image as communications tool. An appropriate and effective professional image enhances communication and allows you to present ideas and information in a highly effective way. Eliminating distractions commonly caused by ill fitting clothes, poor grooming and a lack of attention to how clothing and accessories are coordinated together is one sure way to come across as credible and confident, even if you are nervous on the inside. Best part — the more effectively you communicate the more confident you become.
- Ground your look for business. Think like a professional contractor and start with a solid foundation. While not the only choice for business today, dark base neutrals are a cost-effective way to build a functional and versatile wardrobe. Black, brown, and gray suits, pants, skirts, and shoes are price neutral, hide wear and tear and can slim pounds off your frame. If you crave color, add it strategically with a tie, shirt, blouse, tote, coat or scarf. Worn this way, color is more apt to add interest to your overall look instead of being overwhelming or distracting.
- Business first, fashion second. Fashion is fun, exciting, and seductive. After all, the fashion industry is big business and the thought of wearing your favorite trends to the office in new and innovative ways can be intriguing. However, think about your environment before you go outside the boundaries of what's acceptable. Remember business is about dollars and sense and people may have reactions to inappropriate attire that can undermine your credibility. You don't have to be a corporate drone by any means — just be smart with your wardrobe choices and how they will impact your goals and objectives on the job.
Last Word
The economy may be down but don't underestimate the power of dressing up. When you feel good about yourself, it's contagious and everyone around you benefits from your good choices and confidence. It's really that simple.
Making Clothes & Accessories Last Longer
Today, everyone is looking for tips to make things last longer. Clothes and accessories are no exception. Here are seven common sense tips to make your clothes and accessories go the extra mile for you:
#1 Keep knee-high boots in upstanding condition. Plastic boot shapers specifically designed to support boots will protect your boots from loosing their shape. On a tight budget? You can also use rolled up magazines to get the job done.
#2 Don't leave belts in the belt loops of pants, skirts, and dresses when hanging these items in your closet. The weight of the belt in the loops of hanging items can cause unnecessary wear and tear of your garments. The belt can also become distorted and permanently disfigured. Instead, hang belts on belt rings (i.e., circular hanger with an opening for easy access and storage of belts) alongside your clothes.
#3 Belts can also be rolled for protection. For belts with untraditional buckles that prevent them from being hung in your closet, neatly roll them up and secure them with an elastic band so that that they are protected and easy to store in drawers, shoe boxes, and other storage compartments.
#4 To cut down on stains, get dressed in the right order. If you use make-up, hairspray, perfume, or cologne, put these on first before getting dressed. Let these products dry for at least 5 minutes before putting on your clothes. This really works!
#5 Use scarves for more than a fashionable flair. Scarves can also prevent oil and makeup from transferring to your blouses and jackets. Scarves that are dark in color and/or have a pattern will hide stains best. Scarves tend not to have to be cleaned quite as often as shirts, blouses, and jackets, making them a cost-effective shield in both the warm and cooler months.
#6 Stock up on disposable underarm shields. If perspiration is a problem, disposable underarm shields can be a lifesaver. Not only do underarm shields protect your shirts and other tops, but they also help protect your self-esteem as you won't spend your time worrying about embarrassing underarm stains.
#7 Make sure pants are properly hemmed. Hems can become soiled and torn quickly when pants are too long. Pants should fall between 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch off the floor at the back of the heel. The front part of the hem should cover your entire upper foot. If you find you like to wear certain styles of pants with more than one heel height, buy two pairs and hem them accordingly!
© 2009 Organization By Design, Inc. / Wardrobe Management & Fashion Consulting
No portion of this article can be used without permission.
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