How To Look Your Professional Best
Plan Your Career Wardrobe
It is common to hear someone say, "I haven't anything to wear." If this describes you, then you need to survey your wardrobe and make a plan. It is possible to spend a great deal of money on clothes and not really be well dressed. If you plan ahead, this need not happen to you.
Plan an adequate wardrobe. Have enough suitable work clothes to carry out your job and feel good about the way you look.
Find out what you already have that is useful and that looks good on you. Get rid of the garments you have negative feelings about. Clean and straighten your closet in the process.
When you find the items that are still usable and comfortable, plan what you need to add to your career wardrobe. It is usually not possible to spend a large amount of money on clothes all at once; so plan to update your wardrobe by adding to it gradually.
A plan for an adequate and appropriate wardrobe is never completely finished. It changes not only as you change but also as your clothing goals and ideas change.
A Basic Career Wardrobe
Carefully select and coordinate a few basic garments. Choose solid colors that you can mix and match with solid or multi-colored accessories.
- Two three-piece suits (jacket, skirt, pants). For summer, a light colored one; a darker one for winter.
- One solid-color blazer.
- One sweater (cardigan).
- Two basic skirts (straight, flared, or dirndl) to compliment figure.
- One classic pair of pants.
- Two solid-color blouses (one with a tie or bow).
- One pinstripe blouse.
- Two shirts.
- One shirtdress (to wear with the blazer).
- One classic dress (with several accessories to change the look).
- One all-weather coat.
- Shoes and accessories (scarves, jewelry, belts, etc.).
Studies have shown that certain clothes lend an air of authority to the person wearing them. If you would like to enhance your authority on the job, consider these suggestions:
- Wear quality.
- Wear a jacket to work -- the higher the quality, the more authority.
- Wear subtle, sophisticated colors. If bright colors are becoming to you, wear them occasionally.
- Wear small, sophisticated prints or geometrics rather than large shapes or designs.
- Carry a fine leather handbag -- not trendy but classic.
- Always add finishing touches to your outfit -- a belt, a small pair of earrings, a gold chain.
- Wear good quality jewelry if your can afford it; if you can't, wear a fine costume copy.
- Always keep the same high standard to your look. Be consistent.
Hints for Each Body Build
Tall and Thin
- Wear horizontal lines in two-piece suits/dresses.
- Avoid vertical stripes.
- Wear contrasting jackets with slacks/skirts.
- Sleeveless styles are unflattering.
- Wear flared or gathered skirts.
- Avoid long, tight sleeves and other tight-fitting garments.
- Wear wide belts, full sleeves, and cuffs.
- Take advantage of fabrics with texture.
Short and Slim
- Wear outfits of one color/pattern.
- Avoid large plaids or designs.
- Wear single-breasted coat or suit styles.
- Wear slim or slightly flared skirts.
- Avoid too much fullness, large pockets, large accessories.
- Wear simple shoes.
- Keep accessories simple and delicate.
Tall and Heavy
- Wear dark or subdued colors.
- Hems should be medium length.
- Wear outfits of all one color/pattern.
- Avoid bulky sweaters, coats, and suits.
- Avoid garments that are too tight, too full, or too short.
- Avoid large details -- bows, huge sleeves, big collars, etc.
Short and Heavy
- Wear suits or coats with minimum shoulder padding.
- Avoid bulky textures and big patterns.
- Avoid sleeveless styles if arms are heavy.
- Wear outfits of one color or pattern.
- Avoid very light- or very bright-colored outfits.
- Wear gored or slim (not tight) skirts.
- Avoid wide belts and full sleeves.
Career in Colors
Colors can enhance your appearance. The colors you should choose to wear are determined by your feelings about a color, by your personality, and by your own personal coloring.
Look at your coloring, which is created by complexion, hair, and eyes. You can hold different colors up to your face to see the effect. Although all colors will not look equally good on you, you can still wear them away from your face or as an accessory. Find your best colors and stick to them.
What color looks best on you?
What is your second most becoming color?
Be wise and plan your wardrobe around one or two basic colors that are becoming to you. Using only one or two basic colors makes mixing and matching clothes and accessories easier. This way you can increase the number of outfits you wear without actually increasing the number of garments you own.
Your personality is a factor to consider in your color decisions. Bright, stimulating colors seem appropriate if you are vivacious. If you are more reserved, choose soft, subdued colors, but accent them with livelier ones. The colors you wear should do something for you emotionally as well as physically. Here are some things to consider about color:
- Light colors make you appear larger.
- Bright colors make you appear larger.
- Dark colors make you appear smaller.
- Dull colors make you appear smaller.
- Bright colors in rough textures make skin blemishes more obvious.
- Bright colors in large amounts become tiresome quickly.
The Finishing Touches
Hair, makeup, and accessories are important finishing touches you should not neglect. Remember: Understatement is always better than overdoing.
Hair. Keep hair simple, clean, and well-cut. Your hair style should flatter your facial structure and be professional looking. Avoid childish hair styles; they undermine your authority. Above all, you want an easy-to-keep hair style that does not require much time.
Makeup. Research among top executives shows that a medium amount of makeup, or natural look, is most desirable in professional women. The "painted lady," or too much makeup, looks harsh and gaudy. No makeup at all makes you look tired or lazy with an "I-don't-care" attitude.
Strike a balance with your makeup. Use it to maximize your good features and minimize your bad features. Perfume should be kept to a minimum.
Accessories. Accessories can make or break an outfit. Use accessories to set the tone of your look by pulling it together and setting it off with just a touch of flare.
Shopping Tips
- Shop early for the best selection and to find the size, color, and style you want.
- Find two to three clothing manufacturers that have your type of clothing and look for these brands.
- Find two or three shops/stores that work for you and stay with them.
- When shopping in a department store, look for special "career" shops and see what the models and mannequins are wearing.
- Don't be an impulsive shopper or an indecisive one.
- Be a cautious shopper. Buy for a need, not a want.
- Before you buy, be satisfied with the price, fit, style, and color.
