|
|
| Information |
|
|
A Clothes Encounter In The Business World
Do you ever wonder where all the dress rules have gone? Depending on when and where you are on any given business day, the words "distant past" might come to mind. It's difficult to decide if people don't know what to wear to work or if they have lost sight of the relevance of appearance to professional success. The Queen of England is reported to have told Prince Charles, "Dress gives one the outward sign from which people can judge the inward state of mind. One they can see, the other they cannot." Clearly, she was saying what many people are reluctant to accept; that people judge us by the way we dress. In all situations, business and social, our outward appearance sends a message. Try going to a busy restaurant at lunchtime. Look around you at what people are wearing and see if you don't make judgments about who they are, their line of business, their personalities and their competencies. Think about how you feel when you are dressed in your usual business attire as opposed to casual dress. Your choice of business apparel speaks to your professional behavior and credibility. It is important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your organization in a positive manner, How you dress depends on four factors: the industry in which you work, the job you have within that industry, the geographic area in which you live; and most importantly, what your client expects to see. Professional Dress for Men In men's clothing, fashion does not change significantly from season to season but business attire is about being professional and not about being fashionable. It's about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients feel comfortable and confident with you. Dressing for success is still the rule. The professional businessman should keep in mind these few points when deciding what to wear to work. Choose a conservative suit in navy, black or gray either pinstripe or solid. The quality of the material speaks as loudly as the color and can make the difference between sleaze and suave. A solid white or blue dress shirt with long sleeves offers the most polished look. The more pattern and color you add, the more the focus is on your clothing, rather than your professionalism. Ties should be made of silk or a silk-like fabric. Avoid the cartoon characters and go for simple and subtle if you want to enhance your credibility. Socks should be calf-length or above. Make sure they match not only what you are wearing, but also each other. A quick glance in good light before heading out the door can save embarrassment later in the day. Check for holes as well if you'll be going through airport security and removing your shoes. Shoes should without question be conservative, clean and well polished. Lace-up shoes are the choice over slip-ons or flip flops. Don't think for a minute that people don't notice shoes. Many people will look at your feet before your face. Belts need to match or closely coordinate with your shoes. Once again, quality counts. Keep jewelry to a minimum. In a time when men sport gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings, the business professional should limit himself to a conservative watch, a wedding band and maybe his college ring. Personal hygiene is part of the success equation. Freshly scrubbed wins out over heavily fragranced any day of the week. Save the after-shave for after hours, but never the shave itself. The finishing touch for the business man is his choice of accessories: briefcase, portfolio and pen. When it comes to sealing the deal, a top of the line suit, a silk tie and a good pair of leather shoes can lose their affect when you pull out the ball point pen you picked up in the hotel meeting room the day before. Professional Dress for Women When women entered the workplace in the 1970's and 1980's in greater numbers than ever before and began to move into positions which had traditionally been held by men, many of them believed that they needed to imitate male business attire. The result was women showing up at the office in skirted suits or coordinated skirts and jackets with tailored blouses finished off with an accessory item that looked very much like a man's tie. Happily those days are gone. While the business woman may now wear trousers to work, she does it out of a desire to appear professional and at the same time enjoy the flexibility and comfort that pants offer over skirts. Her goal is no longer to mirror her male colleagues. The same overall rules apply to women's work attire as apply to men's. Business clothing is not a reflection of the latest fashion trend. A woman should be noticed for who she is and her professional skills rather than for what she wears. Her business wear should be appropriate for her industry and her position or title within the industry. Start with a skirted suit or pants suit for the most conservative look. A skirted suit is the most professional. With a few exceptions, dresses do not offer the same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets. Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above the knee raises eyebrows and questions. Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe. While Capri pants and their fashion cousins that come in assorted lengths from mid-calf to ankle are the latest trend, they are out of place in the conservative business environment. Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman's clothing, but they should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give the wrong impression. Women need to wear hose in the business world. Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are the best choices. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer unless the hosiery store is next door or just down the street from the office. Faces, not feet, should be the focal point in business so chose conservative shoes. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. In spite of current fashion and the sandal rage, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire. Not only are sandals a safety hazard, they suggest a certain official agenda. When it comes to accessories and jewelry, less is once again more. Keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility. Business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future. For those who think it's not what you wear but who you are that creates success, give that some more thought. Business skills and experience count, but so does personal appearance and that all-important first impression. © 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved. Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news [News] 5 O'Clock Shadow News you can't leave work without: Asamoah makes a deal News of record News of record reports for Chelan and Douglas counties Newport News police seek help on thefts from cars NEWPORT NEWS A rash of summer-night car break-ins and vandalism has police asking the public for help, and warning them to lock their vehicles. Newport News hit with rash of car break-ins NEWPORT NEWS -- Police are asking for help in solving a large number of car break-ins and vandalism cases in Newport News. According to police, 134 cases were reported in the area between J. Clyde Morris Blvd. and Oyster Point Road since June 1. Most of the incidents were between J. Clyde Morris and Middle Ground Blvd. and happened during the early evening hours. Police say many thefts happened ... NEWS ALERTS: Sign up to get breaking news on your mobile phone Get breaking local news as it happens. Enter your phone number: Standard Messaging Rates or other charges apply. To Opt-out text STOP to 4INFO (44636). For more information text HELP to 4INFO (44636). Contact your carrier for more details. Powered by 4INFO. Newport News police search for suspects in string of car thefts Newport News detectives are seeking assistance from the Community, in solving a large number of cases involving damage to, and larcenies from, cars. Newport News police seek information regarding larcenies and property damage NEWPORT NEWS -- Police are investigating 134 cases of damage to cars and larcenies from cars that occurred between June 1 and July 25, according to police. News in brief Here are a selection of brief news items from this week?s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn?t make it in the paper. Newport News townhouse damaged by fire NEWPORT NEWS A townhouse in the 1000 block of Willow Green Drive was damaged by fire this morning, fire officials said. One of the residents had minor burns to his hand, a Fire Department news release says. An off-duty city firefighter/medic helped evacuate the adjoining homes. News of the Past who has deep genealogical roots to Winston County, provides news from past editions of the Winston County Journal. The Winston County Board of Supervisors posted a notice of the new "Dog Law" which was passed in the July term. Site: news - Google News Arizona News Round Up - San Francisco Chronicle (blog)
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for fashion style Philippine fashion week 2010: Edwin Alba's moody blues Cebuano designer Edwin Alba, who participated in the Philippine Fashion Week for the third season (this time in the Luxe Wear division), hit a home run with a collection that is sure to put the newbie?s name and fashion label firmly on the style map. Fashion fanatic experiments with cutting back So I stumbled onto this story in the New York Times style section about a couple of websites advocating "fashion diets."Essentially, they promote the idea that people shop too much and spend too much time worrying about what they are wearing (I... Cocoa Popps: Essence Hires White Fashion Director: Business or Betrayal? Essence magazine, a lifestyle and fashion publication for black women has hired a new fashion director. The new woman in charge of dictating style to black women, Ellianna Placas, is white. Fashion, furniture at home at Atelier LeeQuen There are still a few buildings South of Market that withstood the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, and the one furniture designer Rick Lee and fashion designer Colleen Quen bought five years ago is possibly the most storied of them all. "Ironically,... Furniture - Fashion - 1906 San Francisco earthquake - Home and Garden - Design Fashion and style ? are they the same? FASHION and style are such subjective issues. Between the two there is a clear difference. Fashion is seasonal and subject to the whims and moods of the current time, generation and thinking. Therefore, it?s easy to pin-point and reference an outfit or look to a certain time frame. Style sensations lead charge back to school Macy's line is for living in a material world ? Mall style show has concert ? Waikele outlet stores pile on the discounts ? Sanrio characters ready for school ? Waioli Tea Room hosts 5 artists dazzling with exotic creations ? New House of Aria offers swag during Waiau Center opening ? Bikinis fit for a goddess hit runway in Chinatown Colombia Fashion Week: Glow-In-The-Dark Caftans, Colorful Swimwear & Glittery Lips (PHOTOS, POLL) Fashion Week has hit Colombia with South American's designers sending modish creations down Medellin's runways. There's been swimwear, mini dresses, boots and sandals...along with embellished boxing gloves, glow-in-the-dark caftans, masks, beaded headpieces and glittery lips. Essence Magazine defends choice of white fashion director The editor of Essence Magazine defended Wednesday her recent hiring of a white fashion director -- a first for the 40-year-old publication that celebrates black women. Korean-Style Tacos Move From West to East Korean-style tacos, a Southern California phenomenon, are now on the menu in other parts of the country. Fashion Trends In Bollywood (1960 ? 2010) July 28, 2010 : The history of the fashionable trends or rather the changing trends of fashion in the Bollywood Hindi cinema date back almost to the decades of the 60s till the current phase of the year 2010. Site: fashion style - Google News Essence Hires White Fashion Director: Business or Betrayal? - Huffington Post (blog)
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Safety Glasses Can Be Fashionable Safety glasses have evolved from the days of poorly fitting plastic protection we used to put on our eyes. Today, we expect more from eyewear and eyeglass manufacturers and the same is true for the companies that produce glasses for safety. Copper Jewelry in Action! Copper Jewelry is very nice-looking, but also it's a very healthy jewelry. Do you know much about how much copper is needed to our bodies? It's a highly important element for balancing other elements in our body. Lingerie as Fashion Statement When Madonna first wore her sexy underwear as outerwear our parents were astonished and we thought she was soooo daring. Today a camisole or corset in public is the sexy norm and something for every woman - not just the most daring "material girls". Oakley Sunglasses! A Global Brand That Defines The True Meaning Of "Vision" It's amazing that it has been 30 years since the Oakley name has been introduced, and that this incredible brand of Oakley products originated from a man that started off with a line of motocross goggles back in 1980!Oakley's reputation has grown since then to be the industry leader in the manufacturing of high-quality sunglassproducts. Their successful journey started with their first high-performance line of Eyeshades®, and branched off into numerous options of sunglasses including M Frames®, Zeros®, E Wires®, A Wires®, Eye Jackets®, Moons®, the X-Metal®, series Mars®, Romeo®, Juliet®, and the introduction of the eyewear called OVERTHETOP®!The Oakley product line has since grown including prescription eyewear line, Oakley watches, Oakley clothing, footwear, and a wide range of accessories that will be touched on in another article. Sterling Silver Jewelry Today Sterling silver jewelry: silver and gemstone rings, sterling silver earrings, bracelets and pendants are some of the hottest fashion accessories today! Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today's fashion conscious public. You know how beautifully sterling silver jewelry complements fashionable clothing and how it sparkles and shines; now here is the rest of the story. Fashionable Silver Earrings for Anytime and All the Time It's been said that silver jewelry makes a person look youthful and energetic, while gold makes a person look sophisticated and mature. Hence, silver is a popular choice of the young for their adornments. How to Dress for the Business World 1. Treat your business clothing as an investment and choose wisely. Fads and Fashions "Following the crowd" is something that we have all been guilty of. But new investors are more likely to "follow the crowd" and fall in love with the latest fad. Wolf Jewelry: Dances With Vogue When shopping for jewelry, one can see two extremes in any motif lineup: the delicate, feminine extreme, and the strong, masculine extreme. Among the "strong" extremes, wolf jewelry stands out as a common favorite -- it is, after all, the symbol of virility and independence, rebellion and complete self-possession. Gianni Versace: A Fashion Success! Gianni Versace was born in 1946 in Reggio, Calabria, in Southern Italy. Versace received his love of fashion and first lessons on dress-making from his mother. How to Choose a Comfortable Pair of Shoes You've finally worn out those comfortable old shoes that you have been wearing for years. Finding a good pair of shoes is a bit like trying to find the perfect spouse; it takes a lot of looking around to find the perfect match. Your Wild and Crazy Side with Zombie Contact Lenses Zombie contact lenses are a whole new concept in the contact lens industry. Also known as zombie whiteout or zombie special effect contact lenses, they are perfect for a theme party that calls for something scary or for a Halloween fright night get together. The Marc Jacobs Handbag is a Reflection of Style and Sophistication The Marc Jacobs handbag is a reflection of style and sophistication. Marc Jacobs has become one of the most popular and influential handbag designers in the fashion world. Looking Good Doesnt Have To Cost A Fortune - Buy Estate Jewelry When it comes to estate jewelry there is always much discussion about what is and what is not estate jewelry. The definition is really quite simple. All About Cameos There is something about a cameo that it truly captivating. Be it the attention to fine detail, the elegance of the portraits, there is simply nothing quite as beautiful as a cameo, and they never go out of style. Nina Ricci - How She Came to be A Top Designer In 1883 in Turin, Italy Maria Nielli was born. In 1895 when Maria was 12, her family moved to France. Cat Jewelry: Freeing the Inner Feline "Cats are possessed of a shy, retiring nature, cajoling, haughty, and capricious, difficult to fathom. They reveal themselves only to certain favored individuals, and are repelled by the faintest suggestion of insult or even by the most trifling deception. Your Fashion Style is Important! Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement, and how you're perceived. Fruity Fashion Picks & Tricks for Summer Summer is here so it's time to freshen up that wardrobe and make your fashion statement for the season.If you've had a look around the stores or boutiques you'll notice some of the pretties clothes and accessories are displaying fruit. Tips to Clean Silver Jewelry Sterling silver is easy to care for if you follow a few simple steps, so don't be afraid to cover yourself in silver. You will love the look!In this article you will find easy ways to keep your sterling silver clean with a minimum amount of time and effort.
|
| Home | Site Map | Resource Links |
